Susan Jones – Writer

Newsletter time, from Jones writing hub. Journaling, reminded me of my journalist days. When I’d research a topic, find a market, sometimes the other way around. Then submit the idea, yes via brown A4 envelope with return postage inside, then wait. It was exciting especially when a phone call came to say. ‘We’d like to use your story/article’ How much easier is it now with email and google?

I write novels now, that’s not to say I might enjoy article writing. Reasons are that it’s quicker and they can pay quite well if you get the right topic to the right editor of the right magazine. So here’s my June challenge to myself and you – let’s face it, proper writers can write anything, right?

Let’s write and sub an article of around 1,000 words, and see where it gets us. Last time I set a challenge like this, I got star letter and won the Writers and Artists Year book. Always useful and interesting to read.

If you want some pointers on how to start, have a look at this guide.

• First, make a list of your hobbies
• Now a list of areas you can talk on for more than 10 minutes
• Topics that really excite you
• Find magazines, websites that match your lists
• Do a few pages of free flow writing and see what comes
• Are you passionate/annoyed about something happening around your area
• Would your local paper like your history article on local folklore
• Do you believe in magic, what happened?
• Ghosts, always a good topic for articles
• Any interesting holiday news that could make an article

It’s surprising how much you know, and how editors are looking for great writers to fill pages. Sometimes you might wonder why you see the same names beside articles you wish you’d written. The only difference is that you didn’t write it and that someone else did.

Let’s put that right, grab a pencil/ink pen and get writing from the heart. We’ll have a catch up soon and find out who sent out what and who got published.

Good luck, and believe you can and you will.

Until next time,

Bye xx