Writing For Pleasure Instead of Money

November 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Painting The Writing Master by Thomas Eakins
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When you’re a writer, the idea of not writing doesn’t even register to you. It’s not on your radar. You would write, even if you weren’t getting paid. In fact, some people like to write so much that they aren’t even interested in doing it for pay. It would quell their creative freedom and they’d have to conform to what other people (editors) want them to do. If you do that, you won’t be able to write only what you want when you want it. A lot of people who write for a living also write for pleasure, but the kinds of writing they do are very different.
They may do something like copywriting or ad writing for their day job, but at night they write fiction that they hope one day to publish. Even if no one ever showed interest in their fiction, though, they would continue to write it. They see the value of writing for pleasure and doing something relaxing. Even if you write for your day job, don’t forget to take time to write for pleasure. It can keep your creativity high and help you do better at your job, as well as give you an outlet for things that you want to say but can’t say anywhere else.
It’s always nice to make money with the things you write, but it’s even better to have some satisfaction from them. What you write for pleasure can be something you try to sell, or it can be something that you just keep to yourself. A lot of people also publish what they write for pleasure on their blogs or websites, without worrying about money or recognition. When you’re a writer, it doesn’t matter whether you’re getting paid, because you’ll always write.
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Why you should subscribe to a Literary Magazine

September 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Every amateur writer hopes to see his name in print. While that occasion comes early on for many, other have to wait a while longer before they get can get there. Though many writers look for fancier ways to seek attention, going old school may, in fact, be more rewarding.

A literary magazine is the most effective way to get some much needed love. If you’re not sure of which Literary Magazine to subscribe to, shop around. Subscription.com carries all kinds of magazines, one of which will suit your fancy.With editors, fellow writers and possible fans, all getting a glimpse of your work, you could be two submissions away from hitting the jackpot. While you should constantly try to get your name featured in a literary magazine, here’s why you should also subscribe to one:

•    Read and learn: For a writer to learn and perfect his art is a tedious process. However, a literary magazine can serve as an important learning tool. An amateur writer can absorb the style, the vocabulary and the flair with which the featured author writes. Over time, following a veteran writer and his prose can imbibe a similar flair in a newbie writer.

•    Contests & Features: When you subscribe to a particular literary magazine, you automatically open up several doors for yourself. Each periodical carries with itself an invitation for newer stories, poems and prose. When you submit your work, you can gauge your skills against others who are published and get a fair evaluation of your work. Beyond that, you open up newer possibilities to get your work published as editors from various publishing houses read the magazines and keep a look out for fresher talent.

•    Use as reference: If you have been published in a literary magazine, you can always use that as an additional reference on your resume. Not only does it reflect your capabilities, it also gives the editor the confidence that he is hiring the right guy! If you are still struggling to find your foothold, you can use the contact details of the authors who have been published, to network with them.

You may not see prompt results but don’t let that scare you. Every effort you take brings you closer to your ultimate goal.

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Ways to Practice Writing Often to Improve Your Skill

September 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
girl, writing
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Like everything else, writing requires practice. If you write enough, the ability becomes natural and you might find yourself jotting down ideas which eventually become full-fledged stories, articles or whatever it is you find suitable to your style. No matter what, it is very important to practice writing to be any good at it.

If you’re not enrolled in a class or seminar, or are in some situation which demands that you write, make sure you take time out to write every day. Time is the most important thing to consider, because even the most prevalent novelists claim distractions and procrastination are their worst enemies.

Read as much as you can. This includes texts on the writing skill, but also everything from newspapers to blogs and novels, and everything in between. The acquisition of knowledge is one of the writer’s best friends, but the more you read, the more writing styles you are exposed to, and the more you will be attuned to learning what your own style is. Reading also helps you come up with more ideas, opinions, and the drive to explore more forms of writing.

If you like to make up stories, then make sure you write and finish them. However, don’t be afraid to experiment with other styles. If you are a story writer, then practice writing articles for magazines or the Internet, or try branching into children’s stories or travel writing, for example.

Taking the time to write cannot be mentioned enough. If you can’t invest the time, make it part of your routine. You can join writing groups and write to have something to show at each meeting, but if you have the time, there are many opportunities to submit writing online.

As you practice writing, you can throw caution to the wind and submit to websites and directories. This not only exercises your creativity as all other writing projects do, but also enables you to earn some side income while you do it.

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