This piece is crystal clear ! It helps immensely. And it is so well written. Thank you.
About your published article: nothing boost more the morale to see your article well exposed and with a good title ! The frame you invented for the mirror is such a good idea. To share it with the readers is great. All the best to your daughter and son.
Magicians may not be able to reveal their secrets, but I'm so glad writers do! Thank you for sharing your process from the big picture down to the diction level. I love it!
I have one question about sources. At a writing conference, I heard a few horror stories of freelancers getting a "no" from a pitch only to find out the editor assigned a VERY similar story to someone on staff, who then used the sources named in the pitch. For pitching new outlets, I have since started saying things like "a psychologist who specializes in eating disorders" rather than naming the specific person I have in mind. Maybe I'm just being paranoid?
You raise a really good point. I haven't had this happen to me personally, but I've heard similar stories from other freelancers. I am often pitching editors whom I've worked with before, so I usually feel comfortable naming sources. It's not critical, though.
I think editors mainly want to know that you've given thought to sources, so your approach ("a psychologist who specializes in eating disorders") seems perfectly reasonable.
It can also help to localize your sources, depending on the publication. Since I pitched my latest essay to the Tampa Bay Times, I knew I would be more likely to get a "yes" if I proposed a Florida-based source. So, I made sure to mention that I would be interviewing a Tampa-based eating disorder dietitian.
Great piece, Mallary! I find your pieces so helpful and full of practical advice that I am going to try and incorporate into my writing. Thanks as ever for sharing.
These tips are so helpful, thank you! I loved seeing them “in action” as they applied to your piece. I’m always thinking through how to repurpose content for new uses and you’ve done that creatively on a number of levels here!
Dear Mallory,
This piece is crystal clear ! It helps immensely. And it is so well written. Thank you.
About your published article: nothing boost more the morale to see your article well exposed and with a good title ! The frame you invented for the mirror is such a good idea. To share it with the readers is great. All the best to your daughter and son.
Thank you so much, Lionnet! I'm really glad you liked the piece!
Magicians may not be able to reveal their secrets, but I'm so glad writers do! Thank you for sharing your process from the big picture down to the diction level. I love it!
I have one question about sources. At a writing conference, I heard a few horror stories of freelancers getting a "no" from a pitch only to find out the editor assigned a VERY similar story to someone on staff, who then used the sources named in the pitch. For pitching new outlets, I have since started saying things like "a psychologist who specializes in eating disorders" rather than naming the specific person I have in mind. Maybe I'm just being paranoid?
Thank you, Oona!
You raise a really good point. I haven't had this happen to me personally, but I've heard similar stories from other freelancers. I am often pitching editors whom I've worked with before, so I usually feel comfortable naming sources. It's not critical, though.
I think editors mainly want to know that you've given thought to sources, so your approach ("a psychologist who specializes in eating disorders") seems perfectly reasonable.
It can also help to localize your sources, depending on the publication. Since I pitched my latest essay to the Tampa Bay Times, I knew I would be more likely to get a "yes" if I proposed a Florida-based source. So, I made sure to mention that I would be interviewing a Tampa-based eating disorder dietitian.
I hope that helps!
Great piece, Mallary! I find your pieces so helpful and full of practical advice that I am going to try and incorporate into my writing. Thanks as ever for sharing.
I'm so glad you found it helpful, Gina!
These tips are so helpful, thank you! I loved seeing them “in action” as they applied to your piece. I’m always thinking through how to repurpose content for new uses and you’ve done that creatively on a number of levels here!
Thank you so much, Kendra; that means a lot!