Okay. Here is my Tumblr Accent Challenge. Not sure I’m doing this right. But tell me the truth, I’m pretty much neutral with the accents. Right? Right?!
-A
What would you say that you like most about your job?
Everything!!! I. love. writing. I have to pinch myself sometimes when I realize I get paid to do what I love. It’s crazy. One thing I don’t love: chasing checks. I’m a creative. Not a businesswoman. I don’t like accounting. But everything else is truly the bees knees.
I’m interested in magazine journalism but sometimes I question working specifically at a magazine versus freelancing. From your experience which is better? And is working for full time at a magazine as glamorous as it sounds?
I love both. I only worked at a magazine for three years. And I’ve been a freelancer for twelve. So I guess I obviously prefer freelancing! I do miss the camaraderie of working with a staff. But ultimately, I’m a loner. And I like not having to leave the house. (Wow. That sounds really sad).
As for glamour. I think that depends on where you work. I worked at Billboard and The Source and it was a job, plain and simple. I had the opportunity to go to a few glamours events like concerts and awards shows. But I can’t say the job itself was glamorous.
I’ve got beaucoup clips! I’ve worked for urban online mags mostly, but I really want to be at the magazine! Don’t live in NY, but I’d be happy with my city mag. Demographic: white, suburban…do you think my clips would make them say, “um…what?”
Go for it! Put your clips together, find the RIGHT person at a City mag and introduce yourself. Then follow up and stalk them! What’s to lose? Nothing! Urban online magazines are a great way to break into print.
ON Writing Well by W. Zinnser has me a little confused. I haven’t read the entire book however, upon reading did you find that he contradicts himself (eliminate big words but uses them anyway) or his ideologies aren’t exceptable amongst other writers?
Yeah, Zinnser is not an easy read. And there are times when he contradicts himself. BUT there are some good nuggets in that book that make it worth it. Choose for yourself what works and stick with it. I find the book to be a little preachy and mean sometimes towards new writers. But I ignore those parts.
I hope I’m not getting too personal, but is being an author a sustaining career financially?
I’m blessed. I can say for me that it has been financially sustainable. That’s not to say there aren’t times that I feel like throwing in the towel for the security of a 401K and a steady check every other week. But people don’t write books because they want to be financially stable. They do it because they can’t NOT do it.
I’m interested in book reviewing, I have done a little bit of reviewing on my blog. I’m finishing my undergrad degree in journalism at the moment, do you have any advice on how I can get into book reviewing as a career? Thanks!
Hmmm. Book reviewing as a career? I think that would be very difficult to ONLY review books as a career. I can see that being one part of a career as a writer and a journalist. But I would imagine the number of full time book reviewers is very small.
Hi I’m a college dropout from a super small town in NC, and I have these ideas and these plots that just come to me. My friends tell me there good ideas but I don’t know where to start for a book. Could you point me in the right direction?
You are ready to head to the bookstore. There are TONS of books out there just for you. I recommend On Writing by Stephen King and Wild Mind by Natalie Goldberg. They will help you. I promise!
Hello Aliya, I’ve begun to write every day but sometimes if feel like it’s in vain. Does it benefit me to write everyday if I am the only person who ever sees what i write?
YES!!! Writing every day is not about publishing. It’s about discipline. Writing every day is practice. It’s like working out. You’re getting your writer’s mind in shape. Soon, you will be ready for other people to read what you’re writing. KEEP GOING.
me and the one and only Areefah Stanklin!!!!
