Anyone a writer? I'd like some advice

[Wills]

I'm thinking about writing a couple of short articles. I'd like to get them published but have absolutely no idea on how to go about this. Do you send them to the editor of the magazine in the hope they'll like you? Should you only send to one magazine at a time? I'm really naive about such things and would really appreciate some guidance.

Many thanks

Hi
Generally how it works is you pitch the idea to the editor (or section editor)and they commission you to write the piece. It works better that way round because every publication has its own house style, parameters for length, photos etc. Also it means you can discuss it with them and they can chip in ideas and let you know what they expect.
It can be hard to break into but on the other hand editors are always looking for good ideas/ freelances. Esp the smaller publications.
Good luck

have a look on here too wills

Hi guys,

Thanks for responding. So it wouldn't be better to write the article showing that you know how to write, but suggesting that this is a first draft open to whatever changes they would wish to see.

pitch more important than style imo

To be honest if you're a first timer I think the most sensible route would be to send the completed piece in.
You'll need to make sure that it is the sort of thing that you can imagine seeing in the paper/mag you submit it to
Think very hard about different mags/papers, and their remit/style
What sorts of things do you want to write about?

i bow to bakedpotato's superior knowledge on this one

i spose with radio pieces i will do a bit of "coaching" if i think an idea is worth it and someone hasn't had much stuff broadcast

that's because you are especially nice, bundle.
I got my first break like this, I sent a feature to a broadsheet when I was a student and they ran it the next day.
Possibly the happiest day of my entire life.
And they paid me too! (About a third of the usual rate, but enough to buy a Nicole Farhi jumper)

Do you have a specialist subject Wills? It always helps if you are a bit of an expert on something ime.

FWIW I've had a couple of articles published in the Sunday Times News Review by just sending in a completed article to the Editor. Got £500 for each one which was great.

My theme would be life. I'm one of those people that things seem to happen to (good, bad and just plain strange)and to deal with them I normally write about it. Often with a very dry sense of humour. A friend of mine discovered one and and from that point forward begged me to send her all of them as she found them hilariously funny. I'm trying to find ways to earn money without childcare and she's pointed out that I ought to try getting them published.

Ah well in that case it sounds like it's all about your writing style so I would go with the "send in the completed article" option after all.