This year, my main writing goal is a little ambitious, and, quite possibly, a little unrealistic.
I want to write an article for a magazine.
Any magazine.
It could be a crappy local magazine; one that sits in those racks near the entrance of grocery stores that no one ever pays much attention to. I don’t even care. I just want to get into a magazine.
Of course, I would be quite thrilled if I got into a larger magazine. I’m looking at you Shape, Oxygen, Fitness, Kiplinger’s, and Smart Money. (I don’t think they’re looking back … yet.)
Here’s the deal: I know I’m an average person and an average writer. The guy that sits next to me at work could probably write just as good or better than me. Many of you that are reading this can probably write much better than I can.
But I’ve always loved to write and something always draws me back to it, so I continue to do it. I figure I should probably give this interest in writing the respect it deserves.
I’m okay with writing on this little blog, making some money writing on other blogs, and, hopefully, some day (this year), seeing my name in print in some little (or big, whichever) magazine.
That’d make me one happy wannabe writer.
Finally, there have been a few times in my real life (not online) where certain people have tried to make me feel bad about my blog, my writing, or that either or those two things are insignificant.
Those people suck. I shouldn’t let them get to me. Sometimes those people cause me to censor what I put on my blog. That’s lame so I’m not going to let them impact my life like that anymore. Because, you know what? Haters gonna hate. Also, I’m guessing I earn more from side hustle than they do from their full-time job. Ouch.
Goal: Get an article into a magazine.
Goal: Write daily. (Even if I don’t post daily.)
Goal: Be proud of blogging and writing; write whatever I want – not what I think I’m supposed to write.
(Also, I totes want that typewriter. {Source})
About B&B
Girl! The only way you’re getting into a magazine is to stop being so self deprecating. Don’t apologise for your writing style or the way you write. Just keep going and writing and practicing.
You can do it!
xoxo
Great goal! I know you can get into a magazine this year. Just keep doing what you’re doing. And when you do, I’ll definitely buy a copy.
I used to think that my writing is not good as someone else’s. One day I stopped comparing myself to other people/bloggers/writers because it was not healthy neither for me nor for my writing. It was the most liberating experience ever. Now I just write what I write and say what I want to say. Blogging and writing became much more fun that way.
Go for your big goal of being published in a magazine. It is a great goal. Just be prepeared to be rejected and don’t give up. Ever. I wish you all the best and I will be cheering for you.
Great job! I think you’re a really good writer. I think it’s hard for non-bloggers to really understand the fun/joy/reason behind blogging so good for you keeping your head up and not listening to them. I’m also shooting for a big writing goal in 2012 – writing a nonfiction book. I’ve developed a routine where I get up early to write for 45 minutes every morning. It’s short but doable. Good luck with your goal!
Great goal for the year – ambitious, but you never know what can happen if you work hard. When I started blogging in 09, someone contacted me asking to use one of my articles for thier magazine. I thought it was someone joking because no one other than my dad read my blog (it was a site not even a mother could love
). I almost didnt respond, but eventually I did and one of my least read posts at the time (and most likely to date) ended up in a trade publication. Though I never got an actual paper copy, it was still pretty nuts to see.
Good luck – keep working and you’ll get there. I’d try to find some people on the magazines staff and not just wait for a contact, but i’m sure you already know that.
It’s not as hard as you might think! As long as you do a bit of legwork and figure out the magazine’s audience and style and pitch a relevant story topic (with good ideas for interview sources if applicable) you’re in with a chance for consideration by editors. Email me if you ever want me to eyeball a pitch or email for you.
Forget those people. You can do it Amber. Its not like Stephen King and Jane Austen wrote great novels when they started out. They had to start out somewhere too! If something is your calling, your passion, then you need to ignore the Nay-Sayers. I think your blog is awesome. Your writing is just fine from what I can see. Continue to improve by taking classes, constantly reading and writing.
J.K. Rowling was once told that her first harry potter novel wouldn’t sell much either. You just have to go for it, and you have to try different things. Many people give it one shot, it didn’t work out and then they quit. But you need to give it more than one try. I read “The Help” was rejected like 50+ times by publishers. http://www.more.com/kathryn-stockett-help-best-seller
Besides there will be other writers who will try and try until they get their foot in the door and not give up. Its not always the talented person that gets in but the most tenacious one. Sophia Loren once said, “Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with great inner drive, go so much further than people with vastly superior talent. ”
Anyway just go for it. Surround yourself by family and friends that support you. I had to distance myself from people that were debbie downers. Good luck. I’m an aspiring writer too. Besides if you never try then you never know what might have been. My biggest regret was that I didn’t go for it when I was younger.
I’m 29 now, just turned 29 this month, and while its not too late and I’m going for it now, my regret was that I let people talk me out of it when I was 17. Anyway, don’t give up.
Just wanted to add, you should be encouraged, didn’t you have a post in Nov where you said that you earned more from blogging than from your corporate job? The fact that you have a blog that people read should really encourage you. You already have a public platform which you can use to promote yourself.
Plus if you want to start a family, then getting the whole writing thing going would be wise. There are mom bloggers out there who make good money from blogging and they get to stay home with their kids. Anyway seriously just go for it. The hard part is really getting started.
LIKE.
I think you could definitely get an article in a magazine (heck if you set your goal at 5 or 10 articles I wouldn’t have even blinked like it was something unusual).
You are a MUCH BETTER writer than average! Give yourself some credit, girl!
I think setting a goal and then committing to daily practice is what’s going to see this through for you. Good luck! Can’t wait for the post of your article in a magazine
Great post and goal, you can achieve it!