Published in
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National Publication for BUSY Parents
©1999-2005.
FEATURE ARTICLE: WRITING
How I Landed A $150 Writing Assignment
by P J Davis
I WAS introduced
to the basic steps in the writing process while attending a
creative writing course offered by the adult education
department of a local high school. I had my story critiqued and
was encouraged by my instructor to polish it.
I became better informed about publishing
and marketing my work through using the Writer's Market,
other "how to" publications for writers, the
Internet, online writing groups and from just the experience of
submitting. I slowly realized that writing for publication
required a commitment of time, perseverance, organization and
actually learning by working at it. I have become a better
writer in the process. I had some success in non-paying
markets. But I wanted to make a little money, too. That
wasn't happening yet.
As the months went by I learned to
carefully study each publication's guidelines to see what
they wanted. I realized the necessity of carefully following
these. I discovered how to submit a brief but detailed query
letter to interest an editor in my work. I tried not to take
personally each rejection. On occasion an editor would write
some encouraging words or useful suggestions on her rejection
letter. After each one Ñ and there were many of those
Ñ I would rework, refocus and send the piece out to the
next publication on my list. But still no sales.
My writing instructor who was also on the
Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Writers Conference
suggested I apply for a scholarship to the next writer's
conference.
At about the same time I submitted the
essay I worked on in her class to a national magazine for their
Mother's Day writing competition. I sent both the
application for the tuition free scholarship and the story out
in December and didn't think anymore about them.
Five months later and one week after
Mother's Day, I went for the first time to GRIT
Magazine's web site. There to my surprise on the front
cover of their May issue was listed my essay, "Mommy to
You Both". There was no mention of the contest or any
winners. A check for $150.00 and five copies arrived two weeks
later. This gave me much needed encouragement to continue
submitting my work.
At the end of May I also received word
that I was awarded an all paid scholarship to the
writer's conference in June. So with renewed enthusiasm
and much excitement I attended my first conference for writers.
And I knew Gloria, my instructor, would be there, too.
As I was browsing through the free
literature provided at this event, I saw a stack of GRIT
Magazines. There on the table was the issue with my story as a
mother. It was an exciting moment--one in which I felt with
assurance that I was not wasting my time trying to hone the
craft of writing. And I was in good company, too. Gloria was
overjoyed with my success as well.
That experience was two years ago. More of
my work was accepted by GRIT's sister publication Brave
Hearts. I began to use those clips when querying or submitting
to other paying markets. Since then I've had essays and
articles accepted by other paying and non-paying markets. Each
success spurs me on to continue on the path of writing for
publication.
______________
Pat's work has appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul Bible (Companion Story), Mothering, and God Answers
Prayers (published March 2005). In
late 2009 she completed an 80,000-word inspirational historical
novel.
This article copyright P J Davis 2010 and
may not be reproduced in any form without her express
permission.