Written
By: Arundhati Nath
Writing is perhaps one of the oldest means of communication through which humanity has expressed its many different moods. Skilful weaving of words has created world famous stories, plays, novels and nonfiction.
I
had always dreamt of becoming a freelance creative writer and creating magic
with my words. Having a fetish for words and the habit of scribbling led me to
join the creative writing course at the Writers Bureau, UK a year back.
However, owing to a full time job and my post graduation studies, I’m not able
to devote too much time to writing. Although I have only five articles in print
so far, I would like to share whatever I have learnt from my first year of
freelancing.
On
getting ideas: Although we
often hear people saying — ideas are all around you; it seems difficult to find
article ideas to newbie freelance writers. In order to start getting ideas, it
is always the best to have a peek into our own lives. Be it our dream, problem,
relationship story, background, education or career, each of them can have
potential for articles. I’m a bank employee and I have written an article
titled ‘Budgeting for Baby’ for Child magazine. Our problems can also trigger
article ideas. As an example, how about an article titled ‘6 Ways to fight
Anxiety in Women’ for a woman’s or health magazine? We can also write travel
pieces about the places where we reside or work. These could be read with great
interest by people who reside in another state or country.
On
analysing a magazine:
Once we have chosen a magazine we wish to write for, we should check if it
accepts work from freelancers. This information can be gathered from a
writers group or by going through a few recent copies of the magazine. If we
find different author by lines in different issues, it should accept freelance
work. Next, we should look at the different types of articles and
advertisements contained in it. We should note the style, readership, length,
tone and vocabulary level of the articles so that we are able to match our
ideas according to the needs to the particular magazine. .
On
writing the perfect pitch: Querying
by email is a must to get freelance assignments in magazines. We must try
to focus our query in to a particular section of the magazine; which accepts
work from freelancers. The query should begin with an attention grabbing
line or the hook which should immediately evoke an editor’s interest. A
question, a startling fact or scene setting could work well as a hook.
The query is our only route to get freelance work and hence must be
polished to the best of our ability. I had pitched an article idea to an editor
about raising money smart kids, which began with the following sentence: ‘How
do we teach our kids about money?’ is a question most parents would find
difficult to answer...
On
writing the article:
Once our query is accepted and the article is assigned to us, we must remember
to give ourselves a pat on the back! Now it is the time to write out the
article. It is always the best to write as per the outline we had submitted and
to cooperate and clear up any doubts which may remain with the editor. Lively
language which suits the magazine should be used and we should try to be within
the word limit set to us. And finally, we should never miss a deadline!
About
the author:
I’m a banker by day and a writer by night. I
have written for Child, Crystal Quest and The Assam Tribune so far Though I’m
writing nonfiction these days, I would hopefully, want to be a children’s
author some day in the future.
Great work dear, keep it up.
ReplyDeleteThank you. May I know your real name? :)
DeleteAll the best with writing :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Megha!
DeleteI am also a banker and want to be a writer.please guide...
DeleteHi Simanta, I have written whatever I have learnt in the above article. You can visit http://www.writing-world.com/ which is a great resource for both new and experienced writers. Hope that helps. All the best!
DeleteWorking hard and struggling harder. Sometimes getting down in the dump with all the failures and, sometimes over the moon with little success. This write-up was good for what ails you. Really commendable!
ReplyDeleteThat is true. Thank you, Neisha! :)
Delete