Do you have an urge to write, but have not yet started — and can only imagine writing a whole book someday? Someday when you are less busy? Or when you know more about writing?
Try Nonfiction Article Writing
Think smaller, and you can start writing earlier than later. Perhaps not as early as the author in this photo (my brilliant 8-month-old Grandbaby Lu). But earlier, as in NOW.
The key is to write something short and sweet: a magazine article, for example. Nonfiction articles (which can include true personal experience stories) are a great way to dip into the writing world. Articles can also produce income for the long haul. One can be sold more than once, included in book material later, then used as a book excerpt to help promote that book. With one article you can reach hundreds of thousands of readers at one time, unlike most books.
Granted, it does take three things: finding one great idea, finding the right audience & magazine, and writing your article well.
As for finding an idea, I’m willing to bet you’ve had one stirring about in your mind, but haven’t been sure what to do with it. Most people who want to write have some idea they are wrestling with already. What shape could that take? An inspirational or dramatic Chicken Soup style story? A how-to article? An interview or investigative piece?
Finding the right audience and magazine in which to be published requires some exploration. Laurie’s Lessons can help. In blog posts at SellYourNonfiction.com I share some information I’ve taught for decades through writing workshops at community colleges and writers conferences. Those posts explain a bit about how the magazine writing world works, including how to find and contact editors, how much articles pay, etc.
As for writing well: that’s an ongoing process. If you struggle with grammar, you will obviously need to get a leg up on that before trying to write professionally. But if you are reasonably proficient with words and willing to be a continuous learner, a writing critique group can help tremendously. There are also great books and magazines available through Writer’s Digest addressing all aspects of the writing process.
The nice thing about starting small, with perhaps a single article, is that you can learn about the entire publishing process in a nutshell. You will learn how to write an article proposal, acquire and meet a deadline, work with editors, then get to see the finished piece in print, which for a first-time author is a thrill. That whole process might take a few months or a year, depending on the publication.
Just don’t let little Lu beat you in getting published; she has a good head start on you!
Laurie
