BlissDom Canada is just around the corner and the microsessions are filling up fast. It was no surprise to me that “From Blogs To Mags” led by Today’s Parent Senior Editor Tracy Chappell sold out immediately.
Every writer I know wants to be published in a magazine. Hell I love being published in magazines. Seeing my name and words in print makes me feel like a bad ass super-hero writer.
So go to the microsession and learn all you can because the insider tips you get from editors are da bomb and will absolutely help you get published in your favourite publication. I’m jealous that I didn’t get into the session so I’ll probably hound you afterwards to learn what she had to say.
I just don’t want you to discount how any relationship you foster may lead you to paid writing work. And at the end of the day that’s what you want, right? To be paid to do what you love.
Almost all of my writing jobs have come from relationships I have formed with people who have nothing to do with writing/editing/running a magazine. They were just cool people I got to know and then somewhere down the line, voila.
Case in point. Two or three years ago on Twitter @Acurasherway suggested to me that I follow a guy by the name of @KevinJaggar. Kevin gave up his cushy job as an investment banker to follow his dream of making it onto the Canada’s National Long Track Speed Skating team–even though he never tried the sport. So I followed Kevin because I think he’s either beyond awesome, slightly crazy, or both and who doesn’t want to watch that unfold? As time went on we started chatting—I would ask him for advice on speed skating and retweet the posts he wrote or leave comments. I loved his underdog story and was cheering him on the whole way because if I can support someone’s dream, Imma gonna be there.
Then one day I received an email from Kevin. “I need someone to write an article for a website. How much do you charge?”
After a few emails back and forth, I had a writing job…and then four more after that.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again...and probably again, and again, and again.
Don’t discount a relationship with someone because he/she doesn’t fit into the mold of what you are trying to achieve. That Kevin Jaggar story I just told you? I have about ten more I could write about right now including one about this triathlete who generously sent work my way this summer. I didn't even know she was a freelance writer when we started chatting, it was our pursuit of triathlons that bonded us on Twitter. But not only did she send me work, we now encourage each other to work out virtually because we both have new goals for 2014.
So go out there and meet new people, even if they have nothing to do with what you do, because you never know what will come of it.
I will end this by saying that while the paid writing gigs from these relationships have been great (bills paid = me smiling), the friendships I’ve created are priceless.
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