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Freelancing?

7 replies

susanmt · 16/02/2004 01:55

I'm a trained teacher and a SAHM to 3 children. There's no way that I'll be going back to taching in the near future, and so have been thinking about chasing a dream

Recently I've been asked to write a couple of articles about parenting issues, for newsletters, and am really pleased with what I produced and with the feedback I've been given. For several years now I have thought about trying to do freelance writing for something like women's magazines, although I am sure it is a highly competitive field. I love writing, I know I'm good at it, I find it very therapeutic.

I know there are some journos on MN who probably don't want to give away all your tips, but some general pointers would be very much appreciated if you have the time to come up with anything.

Thanks !

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motherinferior · 16/02/2004 08:04

I'll think about Tips (I went from not being a journalist to being a journalist IYKWIM) - but one thing you do need is childcare. Don't try and 'fit in' round babies!

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susanmt · 16/02/2004 09:45

Thats the one thing I do have. I have 2 days a week of a childminder and wanted to do something constructive with my time now I am starting to feel a little less depressed.

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motherinferior · 16/02/2004 10:24

OK. Now go out and buy some women's mags and read them (poor you and think about the sort of thing they want and how they treat it, and what you could offer. Like a piece, I have to say, on PND...?

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bundle · 18/02/2004 11:36

susanmt, hope you're enjoying doing your research - my only suggestion would be to specialise & target early on, so you can become indispensible. I work in science/medicine journalism and it's great when you find someone who knows their stuff.

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tamum · 18/02/2004 17:20

I should think you'd be really good at this susanmt; you post on the thread about mothers leaving their children was so well written, in addition to being heartfelt. Go for it!

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Toots · 25/02/2004 11:13

Susanmt, so fantastic that you're feeling a bit better, this is a really positive move, and I bet you can make it work.

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susanmt · 06/03/2004 23:28

Buying womens mags is not a problem lol!

What I wanted to know was what do you do? To get noticed, I mean? I have no training in journalism (I'm a teacher) - do I jusat write something and send it in on spec and hope for the best? I'd love to do it, I have a whole list of things I'd like to write about in my head!