Every January I sit down and write my resolutions for the coming year. I’m a big believer in identifying the targets you’re hoping to hit. And every single year, up near the top of my list is to read at least one writers’ magazine a month. I usually accomplish this goal in January, February, and sometimes in March, but then life gets busy and my magazines end up in an “I’m-going-to-get-to-these-someday” pile.
But this is January, so I pulled out my Writer’s Yearbook 2013 (a special issue from Writer’s Digest.) I read the first story “Find the Heart of a Story” written by Marc D. Allen a *two* time Pulitzer Prize winner about writing, reporting and how to capture the meaning of the story. I highlighted a few things and earmarked the page to remind myself that the information was worth keeping track of.
I then read the next article “All in the Timing” by Don Vaughan a freelance writer who explains how to find pitch-perfect hooks for article. Ah – great stuff here, I said to myself as I highlighted sentence after sentence. I earmarked another page.
Realizing that the very first two articles were incredible helpful, I looked ahead at the other articles. “The Great E-Debate – is it every OK to conduct interviews via email” – as a journalist, I sure wanted to read that one. “How to Pitch Freelance Articles” – well, who couldn’t use more information on that topic? “10 Common Reason Queries are Rejected” was the next article and yup, that one also went on my list. Of course at the end there was the Top 100 Markets for Book & Magazine Writers – an incredibly valuable list for any freelance writer.
I soon realized that *every* single article in that issue was something that I wanted to read. Me thinks I’ll be needing a new highlighter when I finish this issue.
Which brings me back to my resolution. Until now, I’ve always viewed my reading of writers’ magazines as a chore, a bit of drudgery, something that I should do just because I am a writer. What was I thinking by relegating these magazines into an unread pile?
I had never viewed writers’ magazines as the type of continuing education that they are. The good ones present trends, they dissect the craft, and they share successes, as well as failures. And they teach. Reading these magazines is not just another task to perform, it’s a way to exercise your skill and a way to see things from another perspective.
Guess who is not only going to finish this month’s magazine but is already looking forward to next month’s?
How about you? Do you regularly read a writers’ magazine? Should you?
***
Wendy Thomas is an award winning journalist, columnist, and blogger who believes that taking challenges in life will always lead to goodness. She is the mother of 6 funny and creative kids and it is her goal to teach them through stories and lessons.
Wendy’s current project involves writing about her family’s experiences with chickens (yes, chickens). (www.simplethrift.wordpress.com)
If you have the issue, also check out “50 Simple Ways to Build Your Platform in 5 Minutes a Day” – brilliance.
Huh. I guess I never thought about it much. But you bring up really good points, and I could certainly use useful articles! I also know there are a ton (or, seem to be?) out there. Are there ones you’d recommend as cannot-do-without? Thanks for the post!
Because of limited time I tend to read only Writer’s Digest. They have a very good monthly magazine and also publish specials throughout the year. As helpful as I think these are to read, there are so many out there that you could easily spend all of your writing time – reading.
Choose one but focus on the material and let it really teach you.
Great, thanks!
Hi I get “The Writers Magazine” on a monthly prescription.
It has loads of competitions, interviews with inspirational authors,tips,advice and helpful articles….
I would be lost without it to be honest as it is full of so much professional info it definatly helps me stay focused !!
great blog
Victoria xx
Even though I just said to concentrate on one or at most a few, I’m going to check out “The Writer’s Magazine.” I haven’t looked at it in a long time and the January issues in particular are always inspiring and motivational.
I used buy only the issues that I found interesting at the bookstore but I was spending too much money on only a few issues so now I get them in digital format. No waste of gas and time! (And you get digital issues before they get to newstands.) Bonus: I don’t have to add to the mounds of paperwork already in my office. Super bonus: Digital formats are usually less than half the price of a regular subscription!
Every Wednesday morning I sit down to give myself 2-3 hours of “Professional Development” time and set aside time to read writer’s mags. My favorites are the author interviews. They inspire me to keep going and I like hearing how each author approaches the craft with a different style, overcomes challenges and how they feel about their own work and the industry.
I’m a late convert to digital (have both a Kindle and a Nook and still prefer hard copy.) I need to get on the stick if only to decrease the pile of magazines I keep on hand for “when I get to them.”
You’ve convinced me to look into this.
Wendy
Oh, by the way, sarahdancewrite…you can probably get several digital mags for close to the same price as printed issues. These are some of the more popular trademags:
The Writer
Poets & Writers
Writer’s Digest
Writer’s Journal
Creative Screenwriting
I like the first three best, but it depends on what you’re looking for. Creative Screenwriting is geared toward screenwriters (obviously!) but there are also terrific articles about writing dialogue and other techniques to improve storytelling.
If you look for the periodic deals, you can pick up three digital subscriptions for around $25 per year.
I for the most part have turned to writing blogs for my continuing education, but you’ve sold me on expanding that : )!
I also read a lot of blogs about writing, however, magazine articles *tend* to be better researched and in some cases, better outlined, especially the reference articles.
Not necessarily saying that one is better over the other (I’m a devout reader of some authors’ online writings), but there is a difference in presentation and whatever works best for you.
Wendy
Yes and Yes. I do read writers mags and I do agree that as professionals we need to be constantly striving to improve our work and our marketing skills. Not every magazine is as incredibly useful as that yearbook, but I generally find something of use in each issue I read. If I find I’m not getting much out of a title, I won’t renew the subscription. By the way, subscriptions for industry relevant periodicals ARE tax deductible (on your Schedule C) as continuing education.
I love to read Writer magazines for insight and inspiration in addition to checking out the online/blog versions! For the little bit of money it costs to subscribe to one of these magazines (I just got a year subscription to Poets & Writers for ten dollars!) it is worth getting a dose of inspiration in my mailbox!
FYI for anybody visting Wendy’s post…a digital subscription to Poets & Writers is only $7.95 for the year using this code:
http://www.PW.ORG/DISCOUNTDIGITAL
Laura,
Thanks for putting that code up.
Wendy
Thanks Wendy! Just downloaded a sub to Writer’s Digest to my Kindle. I haven’t gone digital yet, but having just tossed a pile of mags, I think this might be a great solution. And I agree, being inspired as a writer is so important, and these magazines are a great way of doing that.
Update, it is only available on HD Kindles, or iPads. Sigh. The best laid plans…
Reblogged this on mrsmays.
I always wanted to write, so maybe getting writer magazines can motivate me.
Thank you- all very interesting. I’ve never really explored the UK writing magazine options – and I should. I only know of The Author magazine.
Reblogged this on Isoteach and commented:
Reading inspire us to the great ideas