Since I get asked this a lot – how did you become a writer? – I thought I’d answer in a jaunty post.
The short answer is: I started writing. From a young age. In journals. For the uni newspaper. And I kept going.
via pinterest.com
The longer one: I started writing and when I saw opportunities I jumped at them. I did work experience at Sunday Magazine while I was studying a Grad Dip in Professional Writing at RMIT (I also have a BA, in philosophy, half a law degree and did a political internship at Parliament House. Plus a year studying on scholarship at University of Santa Cruz, California – philosophy and women’s studies!). The editor asked what I liked/didn’t like about the magazine. I suggested the food pages needed more oomph. She said, Oh, is that so, perhaps you’d like to suggest some changes? Over the weekend I learned Quark from a manual (this was pre-Google and email) and redid the pages, complete with my own food and wine reviews. I presented my ideas Monday morning. She gave me the job as restaurant reviewer on the spot. From there I started writing more for the magazine – volunteering to do the extra work in my own time. Eventually she gave me a fulltime position as a features writer.
I had no idea what I was doing. So. I studied writers whose work I admired. I poured over their opening paragraphs, analysed the structure of their feature, reflected on what made their writing sing!! You become a good writer by being a student of good writing.
I did a newspaper cadetship with the Herald Sun, at the same time as writing for Sunday Magazine (same company, same building). Which was invaluable. To be honest, it’s the only way to get a newspaper gig, and, increasingly to get a magazine gig. These aren’t easy to score. I was lucky. You apply for them directly with newspapers each year. You get paid to study/work. Just. Base wages in this game are grim. I was on $22K a year at the time. I doubt it’s too much more than that even now.
I sent in some opinion columns to the newspaper’s editor. I think they were about homeless people. And yuppies. They ran them. I didn’t ask to be paid. They then asked me to write a weekly column. And paid me. My column ran alongside Andrew Bolt’s on a Friday. I filled a niche. No one was writing for young women… and it was young women they were trying to attract to the paper. I like to say I was the token left-wing feminist on the paper.
The publisher at Cosmopolitan magazine noticed my opinion columns and asked to meet me. I visited her several times when I went to Sydney – I kept a conversation going. Eventually she offered me the job of editor of Cosmopolitan. I’d never read the magazine, never edited and never led a team of writers. Why did I get the gig? I was doing what I loved and I was noticed. This is possibly the best advice I can give anyone wanting to get ahead in this game.
I’m still learning to write. My mentor at Sunday Magazine told me, “Sarah, the day you stop fretting over your first paragraph is the day you stop being a good writer”. I say the same to you. Writing never gets easy as such. Nor should it. It’s in the struggle to find our true words that the truth is shared. We have to burrow down deep to find the right words. And burrowing isn’t always pleasant.
Oh, and I know I’m going to be asked this. What’s the best way to get into writing? There’s isn’t one easy answer. And there’s no easy way to get into this industry (if you do get in, you’ve then got to get ahead). Just write. Stuff comes to you when you’re doing your best work (I used to look for new Cosmo writers by scouring student newspapers and blogs… which is how I came across Gala Darling. I gave her a column shortly before I left the magazine). I don’t think I would be sitting here as a writer now if I hadn’t put my hand up to write – for free – for the student paper all those years ago.
I guess it’s about finding a balance between being present with your expression…while also being proactive and visible. Hustling and being smart and on the ball.
“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” Abraham Lincoln
Hustle for gigs, but make sure you have a portfolio of writing to show once you get an interview. Or a blog. A blog is mandatory, really. If I was starting out now, I’d be blogging myself crazy. It’s good writing practice. But it’s a forum for garnering a following. A following has leverage.
Magazine and newspaper writing is a very different game today. In the old days you worked as a reporter for a media outlet. You got paid. You went home. Now, that’s not enough. The successful players are good writers who also have informed, specialist knowledge and sometimes opinion which they communicate across a variety of media – online, print, radio etc. Think Annabel Crabb, Mark Colvin, Mia Freedman, David Brookes, Leigh Sales, Marieke Hardy. (You’ll note: women and ABC employees are particularly good at this new dance).
They’re not just reporters or editors. They’re now specialists of sorts with something to say (which comes from working hard at what they do for a long time). And they can communicate what they know as required. The medium isn’t as important as the message, mostly because the power of individual media outlets is diluted now. In addition successful writers have followers, who follow them not because they’re popular, but because their knowledge is trusted. Annabel Crabbe is an example. She was poached over to the ABC because she had a huge Twitter/online following that had grown organically.
I love that this is the state of play. It means people with something to say and who can communicate well ie are good writers rise to the top. Good, sound journalism is more important than ever before. Deep knowledge + honed writing skills = trust = following = success.
What’s this mean for you? All kinds of things. Learn, garner deep knowledge, specialize a little, be thorough, keep writing, spin several plates at once, have something to say. And say it.
Hopefully this helps. Write on!
I love how you say you did what you loved, and were noticed. I think that applies for all things.
Keep following what you love, and you will end up where you are meant to be… even if that’s somewhere unexpected.
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Very cool Sarah. Thanks
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Sarah, thanks for this insights. I really enjoyed this post. I love your topics.
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Great post, Sarah. I had a similar trajectory into journalism and agree with everything you’ve said here… except one thing: write for free. I can’t disagree with this strongly enough! Good writers are already undervalued and appallingly underpaid; writing for free just cheapens what we do and makes it easier for the big companies to get away with not paying us what we’re worth. So I would say to any writer, whether well established or just starting out, that you must INSIST on being paid. Personally, I like money, but even beauty products or the promise (in writing) of future paid commissions is worth having. It doesn’t have to (and probably won’t) be big bucks, but you owe it to yourself and the hard work you’ve put into your craft to be rewarded for your effort.
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Hi Sarah, you have popped up so many times during the past few years and I saw your pot on twitter and read your post. In year 11 I read your columns beneath A Bolt’s articles and you affected me then. I contacted you about how to get into writing. You replied. I’ve been in journalism and am now in PR and have been missing writing and wanting the push to get back in. You, Sarah Wilson, have popped up again and encouraged me to do what I need to do. thank you very very much. How strange how you have entered my life these few times. Remarkable!
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June 2nd, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Oh Sheena, I love this. I can’t believe anyone remembers me from my column…must be 12 years ago now! I’m VERY touched that you’ve contacted me. xx
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Great post Sarah, the thing that struck me was hard work! Persistence, willingness and hard work, putting in effort. It’s clear to me that your hard work was done for love, a love of the written word and a genuine passion to make a difference and bring your thoughts and inspiration to as many as possible. Writers truly are change makers. I love to write, I also love to talk, I am enjoying discovering how I can do both to be able to enjoy my own change making dance. You are an inspiration and your openness and honesty a true treasure.
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June 2nd, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Sarah, thank you x
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Thanks Sarah! I wrote to you about this recently (Jo replied sweetly to me), a writing course had advised bloggers to stop blogging because they used up all their best writing/ideas for free. I decided to throw myself into writing as a career this year and stopped blogging. But problem is I miss writing my blog, and feel a bit constrained, and that the ideas aren’t flowing easily. My creative writing has been flowing happily – but I don’t put that down to not blogging but to the fantabulous book “Bird By Bird” by Anne Lamott, a writer with a relaxed easy message on how to write creatively. But I feel a little flat and uninteresting as my opinion pieces that I used to write through my blog just aren’t happening any more. I think I’m going to blow the dust off the blog and get going again, i can already feel the ideas coming.
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June 2nd, 2011 at 8:08 pm
I TOTALLY disagree with whoever said that. Seth Godin writes that art is something you always give for free. It’s then picked up and you get paid for it if it’s received positively. But you have to give it freely. From the heart, first. Otherwise it’s not art. Also, blogs often turn into books or ebooks. It’s never wasted…
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June 2nd, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Thanks Sarah, it didn’t feel like great advice, and it hasn’t sat well with me, made writing seem a little too…hmmm…commercial. I start blogging again tomorrow. Always LOVING your insight and inspiration. Thank you!
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June 2nd, 2011 at 9:34 pm
Hey Lisa thanks for the book suggestion! I’m an editor who will soon be doing a creative writing course to help me further in my career, so cannot wait to read that book
goodluck in your writing career
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Thanks so much for sharing some of your travels on the page up to now, Sarah – really heartened me to hear it.
Maybe a bit of meandering is just part of the path, when it comes to writing – I hope so…
And I think blogging is pretty fabulous, too – not just for the practice of writing itself, but also for my inner perfectionist to practice finding something else to fixate on, while I just try to let this stuff drift out into the world as it is… good enough.
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Hi Sarah,
Thank you so much for sharing your story, you are such an inspiration to me.
I really related to the Ira Glass interview you posted a few weeks ago, where he explained that it takes time to be great, and that having good taste ensures that young people know that we are not great, yet. Which is really frustrating, for me.
I guess I just have to push through the doubt and imperfection until I really am good at what I do. All the while, looking for new opportunities to write and put myself “out there”.
I also love the idea of specialising, acquiring deep knowledge in a certain area. These days, journalists don’t just report the news, they also offer valued opinion and expertise, which is wonderful and exciting (unless it’s Andrew Bolt… jk… free speech is important, I guess…!)
Thank you again!
Laura xx
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Wonderful insights and great information! Thank you for being open and sharing. The post on dealing with autoimmune life really struck home also. All the best!
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HI Sarah, not read al of your post yet but I was going to send you a link in today’s comments even if it was off topic. Synchronistically it’s a funny and clever clip on
typography about language. Thought you’d like!
todyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kdrsPRZnK8
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Hi Sarah,
First I would like to say I seem to be the first male to respond to this post. You consider yourself, or at least used to consider yourself a left wing feminist. To me this is a terrible put down, because I truly think the merits of left wing feminism are as rare as hens teeth. I think you are aware I admire you and that was before this latest insight into your writing pedigree. To me, despite your crazy quirkiness, a beautiful nature always emanates from your writing- even when I might have detected IMO deluded left wing feminist thinking.
Keep up the good work!
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June 2nd, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Thanks, I think! I’m still left-wing. And still definitely a feminist. But we can be lots of things at once, hey!
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Great Post, Sarah. For all aspiring writers sifting through this column, I have, on my blog, interviewed numerous writers (including Sarah Wilson) about their wordsmith journey. I also share advice about freelancing and pitching articles to magazine editors, and have ten tips on breaking into the industry. Might be worth a read if it is of interest.
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Sarah, there is no way in which I could adequately thank you for this post. You’ve spoken directly to my confusions and fears about entering the precarious world of professional writing. You suggest that aspiring writers specialise a little; personally, I’m trying to capatilise on my own neurosis and create a psychologically-inclined niche. If anyone is curious enough to sample my posts, my blog resides at huntingdale.blogspot.com.
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Hey Sarah, Thanks very much for this. I have wondered that question myself.
As a weight loss motivation coach and therapist, I have only recently realised that my identity now fully includes “writer” too. In an effort to help as many women as possible with my specialised knowledge, I’m writing free coaching and motivation articles on my blog. Now after quite a few articles I am very excited by the prospect of cohesively ordering them and creating the first draft of a book. Hooray!
I like your very wise point, if you truly want to be a writer, just start writing. And keep writing… Will do.
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Hi Sarah,
I have some questions about column writing:
What would a new columnist for a Sunday newspaper/magazine or women’s magazine get paid?
What would an established columnist for a Sunday newspaper/magazine get paid?
Assuming you had genuine talent and could prove that with a portfolio of original opinion pieces (unpublished), how would you go about getting your own column? Are editors always on the lookout for fresh talent? Or is there only an extremely limited number of column inches to go round no matter how talented you are?
Just curious.
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You spent some time in Santa Cruz! How lovely! That place is my heart’s home. I’ve never lived there, but I should. I like to visit at least once a year, an amazing yoga retreat spot is just outside the town up in the mountains. Bliss!
Happy I read this article, I’m in the pondering and planning stages of launching a blog. Right now, the more information I get, the better!
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Thank you so much for this article, my site is only about 3 months old and its good to see where I can take it!
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Sarah your story is so inspiring. Proof that if you follow what you love and stay true, the pieces will fall into place.
As is the idea that you found Gala Darling by trawling blogs. Truly amazing.
The thought of that concept, makes me panic and want to go back and microproof my blog.
Is there a course you would recommended for a non-experienced/non-qualified writer to undertake to kick start a change of career?
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Thankyou, Sarah. This advice has come at the most perfect of times.
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Great encouragement. I just got selected to write for a publication here in England called The National Student and I hope that will give me some exposure in addition to mad experience!
xo
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Thanks Sarah – what a timely post! I’m currently at the stage of my life where I’m starting to write again after a long hiatus. I love the part where you say that you ‘… reflected on what made their writing sing!! You become a good writer by being a student of good writing.’ Feeding yourself a diet of great writing is an essential ingredient to becoming a good writer. I guess it’s like choosing good quality, fresh food over crap processed stuff.
I also really like what you say about not having much of an idea how to write but ‘when I saw opportunities I jumped at them’. I too had a similar approach to writing and without any training managed to wangle my way onto an obscure feng shui magazine in London in the late 90′s. I was lucky enough to be on the editorial launch team and even became the resident staff writer (my first writing job) which opened doors into the celebrity world (feng shui was all the rage in London at the time!) – interviewing people like Boy George, Jeffrey Archer, and a host of other well known UK identities in their homes. I just had a dream of being a writer & the perseverance of a young (and over enthusiastic) Aussie backpacker in London. Sometimes you just have to jump in the deep end. Oh by the way – this is my long answer…
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[...] Sarah Wilson, So You’d Like to Be a Writer, Yeah? [...]
So I’d like to be a writer, yeah.
Ha! I love hearing people’s stories and journeys, so thank you for sharing this. I’m home on a friday night, tired from uni work, and am relaxing by reading blogs. I’m so glad I could catch up on this.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
And just as an opinion piece, I kind of thought what the colour specialist said was a bunch of *crap. If you wear something that you feel confident in, then you look great. That’s all there is too it. Why complicate it when we stress enough about image already!
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Great post Sarah. As a journalism & PR grad I love reading about others careers and how they got started. I agree with you that when starting out – sometimes its best to accept that you are starting out and to do work for free. But as you work your way up the ladder – sometimes a little pay doesn’t hurt!
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I really appreciate this post. I love to write and have been lost in the world that writing creates ever since I was a little kid. However, while I have always wanted to write and have my ramblings read by others, I’ve never really thought of how to improve and progress above and beyond writing something, anything every day.
Nevertheless, that desire forced me to start my blog, which, while it doesn’t have a following of note is such a relief to delve into at the end of a manic day. An oasis of words if ever there was one..
I am going to apply your advice about studying the structure of writings of my favourite writers. Sounds so straightforward – but has totally eluded me all these years, for shame. Cheers!
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[...] do, how do you turn “Potential” into “Action”? Journalist and TV Presenter Sarah Wilson gives advice to those who are interested in becoming a writer. Of course, not everyone wants to be [...]
Just found you, Sarah, thru Gala Darling & I love your site & this post. I have ‘garnered some deep knowledge’ & am about to start ‘blogging myself crazy!’ Thanks for the advice!
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Hi Sarah
I really really appreciate this post. I work full time in a completely different, hectic corporate environment and find that blogging unleashes my creative side. It is something constructive and creative to focus on outside work, that helps me notice new things, live in the moment and meet completely different people. It is very fulfilling and enjoyable. I have been wondering how one gets into freelance writing – ie how would you contact someone and offer to write for their publication, whether paid or not? Is there an industry protocol?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My blog is http://www.sydneylifeafterfive.blogspot.com
Thanks!
Daniella
PS. I love the comment about always fretting about your first paragraph… it really resonates! x
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I absolutely love this post. This is exactly what I want to do….weekly/monthly column, write, write, write. I have had two cover stories for a local magazine, but I want to break into the reoccurring market! With that said, your post gave me new hope. Thank you!
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[...] mocha and trying to get motivated for the day ahead. I found my way to her obligatory post of “so you want to be a writer” (which I suggest you go read NOW – well after you have finished this post!) and she made the [...]
Thanks Sarah, this is very insightful. I’ve started writing about something I love and am passionate about, I just need to master a bit more hustle I think!
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[...] why should you blog? I think this quote from Australian blogger and former Cosmo editor Sarah Wilson sums it up [...]