Wed
Jul
30
Sound Advice
Because it’s my last week with BlackBook, I sat down with editors B and N to discuss my performance this summer and any advice they have for my future as a struggling writer/editor.
Since this blog is supposed to offer guidance to other starry-eyed young hopefuls, I thought I’d share these inspirational gems:
- Stop. Go into finance or something.
- Get cooler friends, particularly ones who sleep with famous people.
- …but don’t write about it. Unless you work for Star or something.
- Get the hell out of wherever-you’re-from-that-isn’t-NY-LA-or-Chicago.
- Know people in the business. Facebook message them begging for work.
- Don’t be obsessed with Mary-Kate.
- Or at least don’t mention it until you’re too essential to be fired. Namely, when you’re an actual member of the payroll.
Good, now that you’re feeling motivated and inspired, the other tidbits:
- Freelance, freelance, freelance. That is, unless you have a penchant for cramped studios and ramen noodles.
- Pare stuff down, especially for web writing. Short=sweet.
- Find good sources to help you stay on top of pop culture. Don’t write about old news, and don’t write what everyone else is writing. Find your own stories, and if you can’t do that, find your own angle.
- Cater to the publication at hand. Pay attention to their slant and work with it.
- When you’re already interning, never turn down a request. If they ask, “Would you mind going to the trash dump and interviewing disgruntled employees?” the answer is, “Not at all!” and then do it as well as you can. You’re never gonna get to hang out with Mary-Kate if you turn down the bum jobs. (Or ever, as I’ve discovered, but whatever. Not bitter. Nooope. Have fun at your stupid party on Friday, N.)
- Check out websites like mediabistro.com.
- Read a variety of publications. Serious magazines, light-hearted magazines, blogs, newspapers. Don’t be a one-trick pony.
- Avoid cliches.
—AG
