The Secret to Making a Living w/Writing

The Secret to Making a Living at Writing

You want to see your work in print. The question is - how much do you want it? If you're waiting for a big magazine to knock on your door, think again. Ninety percent of all writers begin by getting published in a local newspaper. Why? Because the writing is easy, you don't have to worry about "Show, Don't Tell," there are very few rules to follow, and you can multiple submit social and economic issues all over the country.

Does it Really Work? Good question. The answer is yes. I once had a writing teacher who made her living this way. Not to be unkind, but she was a much better teacher than she was a writer. If she can do it, you can, too. You may wonder why more writers don't do it - because it takes time and effort to find markets, but I promise, it works. I've done my fair share of selling to local papers and I can give personal testimony to this. It's a great way to make quick cash. You can write an article in one evening and get paid for it quickly. Could you use some extra Christmas money? Would you like to work from home in your pajamas? This is how it's done. Does it pay well? No. Will it help you get your foot in the writing door. You bet!

How to Begin: Call the local newspaper and make an appointment to see the editor. Find out his or her name and note the correct pronunciation. Present yourself in a professional way. Greet him/her by name and ask if they need a reporter for PTA meetings, school board meetings, sports functions, etc. You may not even like the work but this is how you break into the writing field. This is how I started. I met the editor, gave my pitch, and asked for a job. He said he didn't have any openings. I waited to find the first noteworthy piece of news in my area (which happened to be a police car upside down in a ditch in front of my house). I took the picture, submitted the story, and bingo. They never turned down one of my stories. Before long, I had my own column. Don't ever let the answer "no" daunt you.

How Much Will I Make? You'll make about $15 for each article, and $5 for each picture they use. A normal 35 mm camera is usually good enough. Any local paper will accept fresh articles on accidents, thefts and anything unusual within the county. Another great thing is that they pay quickly so get on your donkey and go talk to the local editor.

By most people's standards, $15 to $20 isn't much, but if you write a generic article about an upcoming holiday and resell it ten times... hmm... let's see... 10 x $20 ... $200! This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It's real money and it happens every day. You can do it.

Keeping Records: Make a file on the newspapers that accept your work. This is your gold mine. These are the people you send Christmas cards to – the people you become personally acquainted with – the people you network with – and the people you become friends with on social media. These people are your livelihood, and this is one way that writers make a living. Maybe not a plush living, but a modest one.

Where to submit: Google "U.S. Newspapers" and select small newspapers by state. Of course, you can't meet all of the editors, but you can learn their name and email address. Be sure you the name correctly. Spell check your articles before you send them.

When you write articles, you have to be fast. Editors don't worry a lot about sentence structure but you should use (nearly) proper English. Short story rules don't apply. You can use passive sentences. You can "tell" instead of "showing".  You don't have to write professionally but action verbs will spice your work. Every article should answer these questions. Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Put your most urgent information first. Example: J.B. Ward will open his third clothing store at 123 Make Believe St. on Friday, May 4, 2012.

What to Write About: So... where do you get your articles? What do you write about? Let's brainstorm. Have you ever wondered how something works, or where certain things come from?  How about people who have an unusual talent or a special hobby? How about interviewing a business owner? An article about exotic pets? Interview a veterinarian. Every factory holds a hundred stories. Let's say it's a factory that makes boxes. Call the management and ask for a journalistic tour and interview. How many trees does it take to make boxes for one month? What kinds of trees? Where do they get their trees? Etc., etc. Or maybe a business is on strike. Report it. Ideas are all around you. They are in the common things you pass every day.

The Secret to Reselling: The secret to reselling a newspaper article is that it must have a broad appeal – such as an article on how Father's Day began. If you were submitting to a magazine, you would have to submit at least four months ahead, but not so with newspapers. Send your article in two weeks ahead and get paid quickly.

Still having a hard time brainstorming? Browse the non-fiction section in Writer’s Market magazine to see what kinds of articles are being published. Think about current issues. "Going green" is big time right now. Politics and recycling is big news. Pollution is big news. What? These aren't thrilling subjects? Maybe you'd rather work at a factory? You don't have to like your work. It's a means to an end. It's a place to get your foot in the door. Only the persistent win in writing.

Have Questions? Drop me a line and I'll try to help you. I know you can do it because you took the time to read this article. That means you're at least thinking seriously about making a living at writing. Believe in yourself. Ignore family and friends who discourage you. It's your dream. Go for it!

Visit http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com and sign up for The Writer's Choice Newsletter/. It's loaded with writing tips, as is my blog at http://www.deborahowen.wordpress.com. Creative Writing Institute is a 501(c)3 charity that uses public tuition to scholarship cancer patients in writing courses. Learn and donate to a charity at the same time! Light a candle in someone's life. Thanks for dropping by!