'How do you find people to write about?'You begin by developing the writer's sense of alertness to potential stories, says this veteran magazine columnist
Published:
April 6, 2010 "How do you find the people you write about?”
It’s a question
I’ve been asked hundreds of times when people learn that for the past
40 years, I’ve made a comfortable living as a long-time regular
columnist for New Orleans magazine and a freelance writer telling the stories of complete strangers to readers all over the world.
The
answer is simple: Freelance writers must attune all their senses to
every person they meet, every scrap of paper they read, every overheard
word purloined from the conversation of others. I call it the writer’s sense.
Nothing is overlooked; you remain constantly aware of everything said
and going on around you, always perceptive to the constant human drama
unfolding all around you.
No person is born with the writer’s
sense, but you can master it with practice. Here are some examples of
how the writer’s sense has served me well.
|
To gain complete access to our Web site and the many available writing resources,
subscribe today.
|
|
Subscribe today and get 12 issues of The Writer magazine PLUS these great
online benefits:
- Research more than 3,000 markets for your work
- Read timeless articles on writing from 120+ years of The Writer
- Access links to hundreds of top-rated literary publications
- Read exclusive online-only articles on craft and freelancing
- Post your work for critique by other Writer subscribers in our forums
- Make friends and discuss writing issues in the Writer community
- Receive our informative biweekly e-mail newsletters
- Manage your account
|
|