… and how to put them right! Advice and opportunities for new, aspiring and upcoming journalists and writers of non-fiction
It was my birthday at the weekend. I am still in my thirties, having just turned thirty-twelve. I understand some people call this number “forty-two” but they are just pedants and we don’t need to concern ourselves with them. Because I’m (possibly) middle-aged and (definitely) grumpy, here are some other age-related writing mini-misdemeanours which trip …
Repetition, tautology, pleonasm… whatever you want to call it, it’s basically saying something twice. Easily done. Very common. I do it. While scouting for examples I came across one which I use all the time, and which I’ll include in this post. See whether you can spot it. But first, some examples. And to demonstrate …
Fretting over friends’ and family’s lack of interest in your work, is today’s mistake. This one seems to affect writers across the board – beginners and established scribes alike. I know a lot of writers who like to moan about it. I ought to declare that my circle of loved ones took great interest and …
Namely, one of these: * The Origins of Halloween / Valentine’s Day / Guy Fawkes’ etc; * The History of Tea / Coffee; * My Intelligent Dog (and why he is the best); * My Dead Cat (and why he was hilarious); * Why I’ve Decided to Become a Writer; * My Interesting Family Tree; …
Not addressing an editorial contact by name when you write to them with an idea, proposal or article — an easily avoidable mistake. Each of these sets my teeth on edge: Dear Sir/Madam\ Dear Ms/Miss/Mrs/Mr Jones To Whom it May Concern… Each suggests lack of care, lack of research, lack of … unlaziness. Imagine receiving …
With around 10,000 publications in the UK – and surely a million around the world – you might expect that the range of markets targeted by new writers would be vast. Any writing tutor would probably tell you the opposite is true. Most of us see the same titles namechecked over and over again. Reader’s …
Usually, in a cover letter: “I want to share my story with readers…” That much will be obvious, if you are proposing an article about your story to an editor. Besides, what about what the editor and readers want? Rather than state what you want, state what you’re offering and ask the editor whether she …
“Money’s such a sensitive issue to broach with an editor,” a rather talented student told me today. No, it is not. Publishing is a business. Writing articles is work. People get paid for their work. The typical exchange goes like this: Student: “Hi Alex! Just got an acceptance from an editor!” Me: “Great! What fee …
Few will think badly of you if you don’t know, say, whether it’s St James’s Park or St James’ Park, but if you write something like “its important to get word’s right” you’re inviting derision. Apostrophe howlers like this will make any decent editor wince. Granted, perhaps she’ll think “Oh, it’s all right – we’ve …
If one more new writer tells me he has twenty hours a week to spare to write but “I don’t have the time to read!” I may ask to be shut away somewhere dark for a bit to wail until rescued. Any naughty middle-aged ladies out there want to stroke me, pick me up – …
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