Writing Freepers! I Need Advice...

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[dubyagee]

Hey Freepers! Anyone have any advice for a freeper that is interested in getting into freelance writing? I have done searches on the subject, but have not come across anything that really tells me how to apply for freelance jobs.

One site said that you never send anything that has not been published! But how do you go about getting anything published if that is the case?

I have no experience. I have been enrolled in my local community college since last fall. I do, however, have potential. I recieved perfect grades on all my writing assignments. Unfortunately, the only thing I've had printed are letters to the editor...

[dubyagee]

Any advice???

[dubyagee]

Bumpity...bump...bump...

[paix]

Get a copy of the 2002 Writer's Market.

[warchild9]

I have been published freelance, and got my start by writing things and sending them to editors. The Mrs. is a professional writer, and got her start via an English degree and some really tedious newspaper jobs, during which time she wrote articles and sent them to editors. I have a friend whose first book is coming out next spring, and her secret was to write things and send them to editors. Is there a pattern here? There's no secret!

[warchild9]

Oh, and look at post #3. That's a list of where to send the things you've written.

[dubyagee]

Glad I read your homepage before I took offense. ; * )

I realize I need to send things to editors, which I have recently been doing...but I've also read that that's not always the way to go about it. Anyway, I'm starting out with some small papers and maybe I'll get somewhere. I have no degree, so I expect that's about 10 points against me!!

But thanks for the advice...

[dubyagee]

Thanks. I took a look at that on Amazon. It looks like it's chock full of the info I need. 8 * )

[another cricket]

Well, you can't go wrong with chocolate.....

Oh I'm sorry I thought you were looking for a vice. Guess I should clean my glasses.

Never mind

a.cricket

[cricket]

"Any advice???"

Yes. . .try rewriting your above request without using any 'I's. . .

. . .read, then write. . . and keep your enthusiasm.

Good Luck!

[dubyagee]

Hello Freepers! Are there any freelancers out there? Ever notice how advice to freelancers consists of sending only previously published works to editors? How does one go about publishing something if the editors only consider writers with previously published clips? Oh, the state our world is in...

No experience in the writing field? Tough. Got potential? Who cares? Stick to "letters to the editor" and you'll go far. Not. If anyone can offer advice to non-published writers, we're listening. We're out here in never-never get published land...waiting for the fairy editor to make our dreams come true.

How's that? 8 * ]

[cricket]

"How's that? 8 * ]"

Beautiful. . .a '10'!

Now about those 'fairy editors' out there. . .be careful what you ask for :^)