Over the past years that I’ve been working with writers of every kind, I’ve often encountered the question: How do you write and get published?

Every published writer will probably agree with me when I say that there are no hard and fast rules. But, there are some basic guidelines that each writer can try to work with.

Whether you’re a beginning writer trying to get your first writing job or a seasoned writer looking into expanded writing horizons, I plan to share some guidelines and exercises that you might want to look in to in this series.

Here’s a quick summary:

• Study Your Market
• Fatten Up Your Writing Portfolio
• Learn the Art of Writing Queries and Cover Letters
• Be a Networking Writer
• Create an Awesome Total Package
• The More You Write, The More You’ll Write

I’ll be explaining each point accordingly and sharing some “assignments” for you.

(?) Question from Jill:

How much time should a person devote each day towards writing, and what basic things should be focused on?

(!) Answer from H.D. Lail:

There is no standard amount of time per day. It varies with the individual.

The most important thing to remember is that you are writing EVERY day.

Some people only have a few free minutes a day, while others write on a full-time basis. If you work WITH your particular schedule instead of AGAINST it, you will get more accomplished.

Rather than obsess over the amount of time spent writing, set a goal for the amount of words written. This way, you aren’t sitting there watching the minutes tick by.

Some people set goals by the page. Others do it by the word. Whatever you do, make sure these goals are realistic.

Don’t expect to write a chapter each day, with revisions. The quickest way to sabotage your writing career is to set unattainable goals.

What should you focus on?

The obvious answer would be to simply meet your daily word quota. But, I find it also helps to schedule specific tasks (in addition to meeting my quota), such as conducting research for a topic or making phone calls.

Sometimes my focus is to tackle paperwork left over from the previous month. But whatever the task, by the end of the day I am able to quantify how much progress I’ve made.

Here’s an excellent daily affirmation:

Focus on writing often and writing well. If you can master these two simple things, the rest of the pieces will fall neatly into place.

(?) Question from H.D. Lail:

I’ve booked a unique European vacation for the spring, and it dawned on me that I should try to get a travel article or two out of the experience. Should I query my markets before I embark on the trip (in case some editors reimburse expenses or have specific ideas in mind)? Or should I wait until I return to the States, and then send my queries based on my actual experiences? Is either way more effective?

(!) Answer from debbi:

I spent the last year and a half living in Mexico City and had the great fortune of being the Mexico Correspondent for a travel webzine. I suggest querying several markets, both hardcopy and online. Better to get an idea of what a magazine/editor might
want before you go.

I did my stint sans pay, which some writers frown upon, but I gained valuable experience working with professional travel writers and editors and I now have clips. Good luck and Happy Travels!

(?) Question from Kelly Stilwell:

I know I need to send clips when I send query letters, but I don’t know exactly how to send them! Do I send a copy of a newspaper magazine article I had published? What about e-zines?

(!) Answer from Lynne:

For snail-mail queries, I think it’s safer to send photocopies of your published articles, instead of giving away your originals.

For e-mail queries, you can attach the body of your previously-published work as html, text, or word documents, as long as you mention where they first appeared.

Moira Allen of InkSpot also suggests building your own website as an online portfolio, so editors can just click on a link to see samples of your work.

(!) Answer from Morley Young:

I have started using 3 pages of my favorite clips, copied and reduced to fit on an 11×17 sheet. The type is small, but still legible. You get 3 articles in front of your prospect, and it only costs you a couple of cents, maybe a nickel. Good luck!

Hi Shai,

My name is Hannah [-*], I’m a budding freelance journalist in Singapore. I see that you’ve written for Singaporean publications & I would appreciate some tips on how to set my fees as a beginner freelance writer in my country.

I have a 1317-word feature for a new pet care magazine, roughly how much should I charge my article for?

I’m looking forward to your reply, hope you can be of assistance to me.

Kind regards,

Hannah

Hi Hannah.

Thanks for your email. And, congrats on your article.

Have you queried the magazine yet? Have you received a reply or offer?

In my experience as a freelance writer in Singapore, fees seem to be generally set in the publications I worked with. The magazine that you wish to get your article published in should be able to provide you with this information.

If they ask you for your price, it doesn’t really matter whether you’re a beginner or not (unless you’re a really popular writer ). My fees guideline at the time for less popular and new publications (articles that did not need research, etc.) is charged somewhere between SGD$50 – 150. Those that needed research would be somewhere between SGD$100 – 250. For more popular magazines (e.g. ELLE magazine), something between SGD$200 – SGD$500, depending on the length, research, etc. of the article.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Shai

* Last name deleted for privacy reasons.