As we’ve expanded our programming, at The Writing Barn, it’s been a joy to see writers transform through our 6 to 8 week classes. Continued support, weekly guidance, and bonding with fellow area writers and instructors are just some of the benefits of these extended classes. And NOW with Style & Substance: Break into the Magazine Market we offer the additional ability to target and tailor a pitch to a specific magazine We’ve invited journalist and photographer, Laura Jenkins to hang with us at The Writing Barn blog today and share more about her upcoming class, which begins September 24.
Writing Barn: We can’t wait for your upcoming class, “Style and Substance.” Can you tell us a little about your background and what led you to teach this class?
Laura: I never would’ve had a successful magazine writing career if I hadn’t been mentored and coached by others. In today’s world, it’s pretty difficult to start from scratch and work your way in to paying magazine gigs. When all you know to do is go through conventional channels, it’s easy to fall through the cracks. And when nothing materializes from your attempts, it’s easy make the assumption that it’s not possible to break in to the market.
It’s possible.
I’m not gonna lie: magazine journalism is a cutthroat field. If you don’t know how to navigate the landscape, you’re not going to be able to rise above the rest and get an editor’s attention. On the flip side, if you learn more about the protocol and develop a sound methodology, you greatly increase your odds of getting something published. Of course the writing has to be good, too. But I know a lot of really good writers who haven’t been able to land a magazine assignment because they don’t know how to pitch, or how to write for a particular audience.
WB: Who would benefit the most from taking your class and why?
Laura: I think it’s a good fit for people who have thought they’d like to write for magazines, but haven’t had the time, energy or resources to thoroughly investigate the process. This is not a workshop that, after six weeks, will enable you to quit your day job and become a full-time magazine writer. I don’t think that’s a realistic approach for anyone. There are very few people who make their entire living from magazine features writing. But this workshop will give you the tools you need to start pitching so you can begin publishing articles and building your portfolio. I had a 10-year career as a music writer before I actually got my writing degree, and that’s largely due to the fact that I learned the tricks of the trade, so to speak. I want to pass that knowledge on to others.
For more of Laura’s many features, visit her here.
WB: What’s your favorite thing about magazine writing?
Laura: It affords me the opportunity to meet and chat one-on-one with people I really admire. There’s no way I’m going to have a meaningful, in-depth conversation with Maya Angelou or Anne Lamott or Cokie Roberts in everyday life. But if I land an assignment, a publicist gives me their phone number and I get to call and ask them anything I want to (within reason.) And they’re usually eager to talk! That’s a real privilege. In addition, I’ve learned an awful lot from interviewees I’d never heard of, or thought I’d have nothing in common with.
I also love investigating story ideas because the sky’s the limit on what I can go after. If I can find a cool angle or idea, I get to learn about it from the inside out. For example, I loved all the “research” I got to do for my recent feature on Texas Wine; I met some really wonderful people and learned an awful lot about the winemaking process. And then of course there was the wine tasting, which was a nice perk.
WB: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to your craft?
Trust the process. The story you set out to write and the story that ends up being written are quite often two completely different things. Don’t strong-arm the article into what you think it should be; maintain enough flexibility to let it become what it wants to be. I think that’s one of the major things that gives certain writers an edge.
Don’t miss Laura Jenkins at The Writing Barn. For more information and to register for the class, click here.