Comments on: Writing Articles for Newspapers and Magazines – Tips and Tricks http://janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/ Australian Author & Freelance Writer Sat, 05 Jun 2010 02:36:41 +0000 hourly 1 By: janet http://janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2241 janet Sun, 11 Apr 2010 03:38:49 +0000 http://www.janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2241 Hi Ranjha, The general rule of thumb is that anything published on the internet is copyright. So you can't just take a story and print it somewhere else. You would make many journalists irate! Hi Ranjha,
The general rule of thumb is that anything published on the internet is copyright. So you can’t just take a story and print it somewhere else. You would make many journalists irate!

]]> By: Ranjha http://janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2237 Ranjha Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:36:51 +0000 http://www.janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2237 Hey Janet Just wondering if we could use the news found in Online websites of various newspapers in a local monthly newspaper. Are any news copyright? Will be thankful if you can answer. Hey Janet Just wondering if we could use the news found in Online websites of various newspapers in a local monthly newspaper. Are any news copyright?

Will be thankful if you can answer.

]]> By: JOU2180 ???????????2010?? | Readings on News and Magazine Writing http://janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2236 JOU2180 ???????????2010?? | Readings on News and Magazine Writing Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:24:46 +0000 http://www.janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2236 [...] 1. Writing Articles for Newspapers and Magazines – Tips and Tricks [...] [...] 1. Writing Articles for Newspapers and Magazines – Tips and Tricks [...]

]]> By: janet http://janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2232 janet Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:28:32 +0000 http://www.janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2232 Hi Justin, These are good questions, and I'll try and answer them as briefly as I can. Firstly, if you're thinking of writing a fiction book, it's probably a better idea to enter short story writing comps. This will get you warmed up to writing fiction, perhaps get you some valuable feedback, and also get your name out there. If you're thinking of writing a non-fiction book, there are comps in this genre, and writing articles is also useful in honing your skills and getting known. Now the question about shortening your work. You're in the prime seat, because I think it's far easier to edit your work down than to extend it. There are specific trimming techniques for fiction and non-fiction, and I'm not sure which you're doing at the moment. I could write oodles on the subject! But here are some general tips for both: * In your articles, don't interrupt the progression of your ideas by going off on long diversions. Keep your thoughts succinct so that your reader can follow them. * Don't overload the reader with information. If your articles are too long, then perhaps you have too many ideas. Split it up into more than one article with specific topics. * Get rid of redundant words and phrases. They weaken your writing. * Vary your sentence lengths in a paragraph and don't have paragraphs that go on forever. You might find you can rewrite a paragraph and reduce it by half. The aim is to make your point as quickly as possible. * Use the active voice rather than the passive. This will chop out a lot of words. * Be ruthless and get rid of scenes or paragraphs that just don't contribute to the article/story, even if they are your best work! * Particularly for fiction, if you show the reader what's happening, rather than telling them, you'll also reduce the length. This is a particular art and takes time to perfect. Justin, I could go on forever, and I'm not sure if any of this is useful. If you want to use my assessment service, please get in touch. Sometimes it's easier to actually do the editing and show why and how it improves the writing. All the best! Hi Justin,

These are good questions, and I’ll try and answer them as briefly as I can.

Firstly, if you’re thinking of writing a fiction book, it’s probably a better idea to enter short story writing comps. This will get you warmed up to writing fiction, perhaps get you some valuable feedback, and also get your name out there. If you’re thinking of writing a non-fiction book, there are comps in this genre, and writing articles is also useful in honing your skills and getting known.

Now the question about shortening your work. You’re in the prime seat, because I think it’s far easier to edit your work down than to extend it. There are specific trimming techniques for fiction and non-fiction, and I’m not sure which you’re doing at the moment. I could write oodles on the subject! But here are some general tips for both:

* In your articles, don’t interrupt the progression of your ideas by going off on long diversions. Keep your thoughts succinct so that your reader can follow them.

* Don’t overload the reader with information. If your articles are too long, then perhaps you have too many ideas. Split it up into more than one article with specific topics.

* Get rid of redundant words and phrases. They weaken your writing.

* Vary your sentence lengths in a paragraph and don’t have paragraphs that go on forever. You might find you can rewrite a paragraph and reduce it by half. The aim is to make your point as quickly as possible.

* Use the active voice rather than the passive. This will chop out a lot of words.

* Be ruthless and get rid of scenes or paragraphs that just don’t contribute to the article/story, even if they are your best work!

* Particularly for fiction, if you show the reader what’s happening, rather than telling them, you’ll also reduce the length. This is a particular art and takes time to perfect.

Justin, I could go on forever, and I’m not sure if any of this is useful. If you want to use my assessment service, please get in touch. Sometimes it’s easier to actually do the editing and show why and how it improves the writing.

All the best!

]]> By: Justin http://janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2231 Justin Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:25:35 +0000 http://www.janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2231 Hey Janet, I want to write books some day and I heard that writing for magazines and newspapers was a good way to start. But I have a problem, when I start writing, I dont stop! My stories go on for too long, do you have any tips on writing shorter stories, and if writing for magazines is a good way to start in the book buisness? -Justin Hey Janet, I want to write books some day and I heard that writing for magazines and newspapers was a good way to start. But I have a problem, when I start writing, I dont stop! My stories go on for too long, do you have any tips on writing shorter stories, and if writing for magazines is a good way to start in the book buisness?

-Justin

]]> By: janet http://janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2230 janet Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:37:31 +0000 http://www.janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2230 Hi Lee, Wow, this is the question every newbie freelancer asks, and there are many answers. Some magazines have a set pay rate, so you won't have this dilemma. But then again, they might ask you what your rate is. You need to decide whether to charge by the word, the hour or for the entire job, depending on what you're writing. It's a good idea to see what writers' organisations around Australia and in your state recommend. There's also the Australian Society of Authors who have pay rates on their website, but these are quite high. What I think it boils down to is feeling comfortable with what you're charging. You don't want to undercharge or overcharge. Sometimes, it's better to charge at the lower end to build a relationship, and then increase your fees down the track. If you're just starting up again, it might be best to aim at getting your articles in print, even if the pay rate is low or non-existent. Once you have credibility, you can charge more. Hope that helps a bit. I wish there was an easy answer. Hi Lee,
Wow, this is the question every newbie freelancer asks, and there are many answers. Some magazines have a set pay rate, so you won’t have this dilemma. But then again, they might ask you what your rate is. You need to decide whether to charge by the word, the hour or for the entire job, depending on what you’re writing. It’s a good idea to see what writers’ organisations around Australia and in your state recommend. There’s also the Australian Society of Authors who have pay rates on their website, but these are quite high. What I think it boils down to is feeling comfortable with what you’re charging. You don’t want to undercharge or overcharge. Sometimes, it’s better to charge at the lower end to build a relationship, and then increase your fees down the track.
If you’re just starting up again, it might be best to aim at getting your articles in print, even if the pay rate is low or non-existent. Once you have credibility, you can charge more.
Hope that helps a bit. I wish there was an easy answer.

]]> By: Lee http://janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2229 Lee Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:15:02 +0000 http://www.janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2229 Hi Janet, I've had some work published in the past, but not for many years. I'm thinking of doing some writing again but I have no idea what rates freelance writers are charging for their work. Can you give me some guidance? Thanks for your tips. Lee Hi Janet,
I’ve had some work published in the past, but not for many years. I’m thinking of doing some writing again but I have no idea what rates freelance writers are charging for their work.
Can you give me some guidance?
Thanks for your tips.
Lee

]]> By: Bob http://janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2219 Bob Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:00:30 +0000 http://www.janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2219 Hi Janet Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your tips. I'm contemplating my first attempt at an article, had no idea where to start, so your material is just what I needed. Hi Janet
Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your tips. I’m contemplating my first attempt at an article, had no idea where to start, so your material is just what I needed.

]]> By: janet http://janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2214 janet Mon, 26 May 2008 04:58:02 +0000 http://www.janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2214 Hi Larry, I don't know the Guardian, but assume it's a newspaper in the UK. Depending on what they publish and what you'd like to write about, you could query the relevant editor about an article you propose to write for them. You might get an idea from the paper itself about whether they accept articles from freellancers. But it certainly doesn't hurt to send a query. In the query, give them a couple of paragraphs of your proposed article, to show them how you write. Good luck! Hi Larry,
I don’t know the Guardian, but assume it’s a newspaper in the UK.
Depending on what they publish and what you’d like to write about, you could query the relevant editor about an article you propose to write for them. You might get an idea from the paper itself about whether they accept articles from freellancers. But it certainly doesn’t hurt to send a query. In the query, give them a couple of paragraphs of your proposed article, to show them how you write.
Good luck!

]]> By: larry http://janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2211 larry Sun, 11 May 2008 23:20:04 +0000 http://www.janetshaw.com/blog/writing-articles-for-newspapers-and-magazines-tips-and-tricks/#comment-2211 could u show way to me for cotributin in guardian could u show way to me for cotributin in guardian

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