Week 10 - Freelance Writing & Portfolios

During Thursday’s class last week, we talked about freelance writing opportunities. The biggest suggestion I have is to enroll in one of the La Voz classes. You may either take the 1-unit freelance class or the 3-unit newspaper staff class. Either way, you will gain great writing experience, as well as have clippings with your byline!

Other ways to gain writing experience is to:

• Write editorials/letters to the editor
• Submit stories to community paper
• Volunteer to write for a community organization (nonprofit, church, etc.)
• Keep blogging (research ways to make money blogging)

Writer's Market

A great resource for information on freelance writing is the annual Writer’s Market. 

Markets include: magazines, newspapers, theaters (for stage plays), production companies, contests of all types, greeting card companies, literary agents, and more. Each listing has detailed instructions on how to submit work, relevant contact information, as well as what work each listing seeks. At the very least, you should check out the “look inside” feature on Amazon.

Portfolios

All writers need to build a portfolio (whether online or a physically bound book) of their writing samples. Writing samples can come from a variety of sources:

• School assignments (stories written for 21a and 21b)
• Letters to the editor
• Contests (look for writing contests to enter)
• Special requests in paper (newspapers usually request stories or short essays before major holidays). Look for requests in the travel section, lifestyle, etc. 
• Volunteer writing for community organization (press releases, ad copy, social media, etc.)
• You should consider creating a personal website and/or online portfolio. Check out this link: https://blog.quiet.ly/community/how-to-create-a-writing-portfolio-for-freelancers/

Writer's Digest Magazine

Check out Writer’s Digest magazine (subscribe or just check out blogs, contests and resources). They have a whole writer’s library of books (see “shop” tab).

http://www.writersdigest.com

Freelance Writing Blog

http://www.freelancewriting.com/

Pitching Stories

When writing freelance stories, you need to first submit a query or pitch letter. Entire books exist on this topic. Writer’s Market also has a chapter on this with samples. 

Here are the basics:

•       Decide on publication

•       Examine readers’ demographics

•       Familiarize yourself with the types of features the publication runs

•       Address your pitch letter to a specific person

•       Include enough facts to support full story

•       Provide a hook or angle of interest to readers

•       Include possible alternative angles

•       Explain credibility or your authority to write article

•       Keep it short and snappy

Week 9 - Package Planning & Short Form

Package Planning which combines various newsroom elements to make stories appealing to readers. It integrates writing, editing, art and design. Often there is a “maestro” – or a visual journalist – who will coordinate a team effort.

We also discussed short-form alternatives, which provide additional options to convey information. These options appeal to readers who don’t have time to read the whole story or want to skim information to decide whether to read the story. The short-form alternatives include:

ü  Fast fact box

ü  Bio box

ü  Checklist

ü  List

ü  Step by step

ü  Quiz

ü  Factual index

ü  Diagram

ü  Quotes

ü  Timeline

Week 8 - Writing Reviews

In Thursday’s class, we discussed criticism and review writing. The purpose of this type of feature writing is to help consumers make choices on whether to spend their time and money on an art form or product. The writing is part journalism (reporting, details, etc.) and part commentary (opinion). The best reviewers are passionate about the item they are reviewing (i.e. a movie reviewer is also usually a movie buff).

A review is just that: a piece of writing that basically gives a thumbs up or thumbs down on something. A criticism, on the other hand, is far more theatrical and deep in nature, pondering the meaning, cultural significance and larger social context.

Suggested structure for film/TV series review:

—  Lead

—  Storyline

—  What’s good

—  What’s bad

—  Summary

Suggested structure for product:

—  Lead

—  Product description

—  Special features

—  Performance pros and cons

—  Recommendations

Our discussion included how to write a review and tips on what to avoid: spoiler alerts, first person, personal rant, etc. 

Your review stories are due Thursday, March 9. You may review a film/TV series, restaurant or product.