A Parents Magazine Assignment

Yes, I received another assignment from a another magazine that's near and dear to my heart. I'm psyched about this one because the editor didn't humor me during our initial phone conversation; she explained that the piece will be tough to write and she told me what she didn't like about my query, what voice to use, the direction to take the sidebars -- basically, she was not leaving much up to chance but that's helpful and will result in a win/win article.

Oh, and she offered me a great per word rate. Now, thanks to Profnet I've gotten some great sources lined up to interview next week. Once that's done, I'll get the editor the outline she requested and start writing. I'm psyched.

The advice I can offer newbies based on this assignment alone?

• You've got to write a good query. Research how, read a book, take a class, study ones that work -- but really, without good query, you don't stand a chance.
  

• Resist writing on spec. Having never worked with me before, the editorial team wanted me to write this one on spec. I pushed back and said no, I need an assignment and gave a solid reason why I wouldn't write a piece without one. They came back with the assignment. NOW, I was confident that I could deliver the final piece to them as they want it -- so if you're not sure of yourself, you might not want to go this route.

• Accept feedback from the editor when it comes and don't take it as personal criticism. Their job is to make sure the pieces all fit coherently within the pages of that magazine -- a writer's individual voice is less important than the voice of the magazine. Stick to the essay markets if you can't handle that.

• Find your sources fast. Your experts will provide you with information that you need to shape the piece -- what they offer up might lead you in a different direction. You don't want to put those off until you near deadline. And, if you use Profnet, be informative about what you need/what type of expert you are looking for in your initial query and be courteous to those that respond.

Alright ... time to start brainstorming my interview questions.