The most important thing to becoming a writer is just – to write. But if you are looking to be a PROFESSIONAL writer and make a business of it, you have to start somewhere.
It’s important to get experience and have credits to your name. Check with your local newspapers and ask about freelancing as a stringer. Local papers will often look for reporters to attend town meetings or other mundane functions on a busy day when their staff reporters are too busy. These jobs barely cover your gas to get to (sometimes as low as $10 to $25 an assignment) but they will provide you with published credits. Don’t ignore volunteering your services to community organizations either – offer to write or edit newsletters, write fundraising letters, or even ad copy – it might not be paid, but it still translates to experience and credits. By the way, getting your own byline is a form of compensation.
If you have an expertise to share such as crafts, photography, auto repair, etc., look up trade magazines that address the same topic. Read several issues and study the style – make sure you understand exactly who the readers are. Find out if the magazine has an established editorial calendar, this is a schedule of “themes” so that you can propose an article topic at the right time. Believe it or not, some magazines layout their issues up to six months in advance so don’t wait until December to submit an article about holiday parties. Many trade magazines are receptive to newer writers since their circulation is often not as widespread as consumer mags and not as attractive to more established names.
Blogging is an important step to writing professionally. A blog gives you a forum where you can expose yourself and build a following. Make sure that you post regularly and keep your content on topic – and be sure to edit your work. When sending queries out to editors you will want to use your blog as an example of your skill, so make sure it is a good representation of your work. There are several free blogs and several that will allow you to personalize your URL and make it easier for people to find you Build your following by using forums like Twitter to announce your latest articles and visit other blogs (preferably on similar topics), leave comments and sign in with your URL as part of your signature.
Always keep your eyes open for opportunities and query often and never get discouraged by rejections, every professional writer gets them. Join writers’ groups online and/or in person – sharing knowledge and experiences will help you find your way. Every byline, every published article, and every new fan is a step towards being a writer.
Writing exercise: Think about something that happened to you that was very embarrassing. Write a short paragraph telling it as you, in first person – make sure you voice your feelings. Rewrite the paragraph from the perspective of an unrelated bystander merely observing. One more time, rewrite the paragraph from the viewpoint of someone who is taking glee in your embarrassment.
Writing prompt: Look at yourself in a mirror, pretend that you are looking at a stranger. Introduce yourself the person in the mirror.
