| So you'd like to write a best-selling novel like JK | | | | care of the business of running the website while |
| Rowling and enjoy a life of fame and luxury? Well, | | | | sharing a portion of the advertising revenue your |
| who wouldn't? Unfortunately, for every successful | | | | articles generate with you. |
| superstar there are a thousand wannabes receiving | | | | Apply for local writing jobs |
| rejection after rejection, or for the more successful | | | | Most towns and cities have a local rag who may be |
| ones, working night and day for less than minimum | | | | prepared to take you on on either as a staff |
| wage. Also bear in mind that the public loves a | | | | reporter or freelance writer; don't despise humble |
| rags-to-riches story, so publishers and new authors | | | | beginnings because you never know where they |
| deliberately downplay their years of getting nowhere, | | | | might lead. |
| so to those looking in from the outside their eventual | | | | Pitch feature articles to niche magazines on a |
| success appears effortless. Writing's a tough gig, and | | | | freelance basis. |
| if you're not prepared to put in a huge amount of | | | | Many publications accept work from freelancers and |
| hard work and still face the very real possibility that | | | | pay the writer on publication. This is a great way of |
| you may not succeed, then you may as well save | | | | building a portfolio of work, and can lead to repeat |
| yourself the trouble and quit right now. | | | | work as you build relationships with editors. |
| Still reading? Good. | | | | Submit your creative writing to competitions |
| It's important to realise that writing is both an art and | | | | Apart from the prestige of winning a short story, |
| a craft, weighted probably 80 percent in favour of | | | | poetry, or script competition, very often these will |
| being a craft. What this means is that most people | | | | guarantee to publish or perform the winning entries, |
| can develop their writing skills to an acceptable level. | | | | and often have cash prizes as well. At the very least |
| Not everyone has the capacity to become the next | | | | you should get some valuable feedback on your |
| Bill Bryson, but there are far more ways to make a | | | | work. |
| living as a writer; in fact Bryson did not start out | | | | Copywriting |
| producing the books he is now famous for - he was | | | | Businesses of all kinds need copy for their corporate |
| a print journalist for many years during which he | | | | and promotional materials. You're unlikely to get taken |
| honed his craft. With that in mind, let's look at some | | | | on by corporates without good experience and a |
| less glamorous, but more attainable writing jobs: | | | | proven track record, but how about approaching the |
| Start a blog | | | | small businesses in your area: estate agencies, car |
| These days anyone can start a blog in a matter of | | | | dealerships, hair salons, you name it. |
| minutes, and it needn't cost you a cent. It's possible | | | | Teach others |
| to earn a bit from placing advertisements on | | | | Teaching has been a fallback of many a musician, |
| alongside the articles you write, but the bigger | | | | artist or writer. You can offer your services as a |
| benefit is the opportunities this presents: to get your | | | | tutor to the school kids in your area, to adult |
| writing out there where it can be seen by | | | | education classes, or dedicated writing groups. Or |
| prospective employers or clients. Or you can write | | | | offer to critique other writers' work for a small fee. |
| articles for dedicated article directories which take | | | | |