Writing for a magazine

[Bobthebeard]

Am seriously interested in doing just this... Writing an article for a car mag.

[tapir]

have a blog? if not create one and post a link in your sig, always interested to read car blogs.

[dollywobbler]

have a blog? if not create one and post a link in your sig, always interested to read car blogs.

 

This. Or car clubs are always crying out for content if you're in one? I wrote for the 2CV club mag for quite a while.

[chaseracer]

I wrote for the 2CV club mag for quite a while.

 

You were quite good, too... 

[UltraWomble]

Do it "Bob"

 

Ive done it, its not hard to do, submit some stuff, dont expect fame fortune or offers of TV shows,but if it happens then happy days.

Just enjoy yourself.

[sierraman]

How do you write a blog? I'm clueless about this sort of stuff? Does it cost to do this?

[trigger]

I wanted to get involved in writing for car mags having been interested in magazines since a kid and thought it would be a glamorous job getting to drive all these cars but realistically it's a no goer for me as I'm dyslexic and I'm not good enough with writing witty and interesting stuff.

[eddyramrod]

Am seriously interested in doing just this... Writing an article for a car mag.

On a regular basis, or do you have one specific article in mind?

[MarvinsMom]

it'd be no good for me, i cannot spell to save my life (thank god for spell checker/auto correct) and i've now't interesting to write....

[HMC]

I've been a serial car mag buyer since about aged 11, and before i owned a car, I suppose I lived my motoring 'life' vicariously through the staff car bits especially. Even now I go to those bits first. I've long fancied contributing to a mag too.

[eddyramrod]

 i've now't interesting to write....

I've met you and seen some of your fleet.  Trust me, you are wrong there.

[New POD]

Am seriously interested in doing just this... Writing an article for a car mag.

 

There was a bloke in the Mk2cavalier owners club, who desperately wanted to do this.  He ended up getting paid a pittance at Total Vauxhall, as a step into it. Given that was 10 years or more ago, I wonder what Scottish / Alcoholic* Dougie Rankin is doing now? I also wonder what his self harming** ex-girlfriend Sarah is doing now.

 

Wait:  I'll google him

 

https://www.journalism.co.uk/media-appointments/total-vauxhall-welcomes-dougie-rankine-as-editor/s8/a535441/

 

*I'm sure he's not an alcoholic, but he is Scottish.

** I'm not sure she was self harming, but I met her at a few shows and she was seriously scary.

[mercrocker]

Almost everybody knows something somebody else doesn't.   Almost everybody has something they are passionate about.

 

Two things that are just enough to start you off.  

 

Write for yourself to begin with, imagine a fictitious commission has come your way and craft an article.   Sometimes being told to write about a specific subject makes it easier.   Nothing to stop you submitting unsolicited copy - its what journalism thrives upon.

 

I write a monthly car page for a rock and roll magazine and have done for several years - I don't get paid for it but its a nice feeling that somebody somewhere reads what I've written.

[tapir]

How do you write a blog? I'm clueless about this sort of stuff? Does it cost to do this?

 

it's free to use blogger and wordpress.com, you can pay to get more features or host your own, but as a start no cost.

 

https://wordpress.com/

https://www.blogger.com

[Lord Sterling]

This is something else I'd like to do. Firstly though, I need to get sizzle together before I can concentrate on other stuff.

[AMC Rebel]

People like Ted Connolly and Sam Glover (and a few others) are my heros - I don't know how they can do it - bring stuff to life.  I've had a crack for my own amusement but everything I write just seems dull and lifeless in comparison.  I probably shouldn't be looking for a career change any time soon.

[pshome]

How do you write a blog? I'm clueless about this sort of stuff? Does it cost to do this?

 

Do it, it's fun!

 

You can get a blog "ready to go" on http://www.wordpress.com. Its free if you can live with the ads and basic (but sufficient) functionality. A good starting point i think. If you like it, you can decide to pay for removing the advertising and get more space and features. It's not expensive.

Forget about making any money with this. I have friends that write professionally, it's tough and there is a lot of competition. Few get a permanent job and they all struggle to get their texts sold. It takes a long time to earn enough reputation and have the connections to to make a living out of that.

[dollywobbler]

I wanted to get involved in writing for car mags having been interested in magazines since a kid and thought it would be a glamorous job getting to drive all these cars but realistically it's a no goer for me as I'm dyslexic and I'm not good enough with writing witty and interesting stuff.

 

If it make you feel better, my two days of 'glamour' last week consisted mostly of standing around in the cold, waiting for the photographer to finish up, and about five minutes of driving time. Then several hours sitting in front of a laptop trying to make that sound interesting. You have to love writing first and foremost. Don't let your dyslexicness hold you back though. I personally enjoy reading your stuff. The enthusiasm screams out of your stuff. 

 

 

People like Ted Connolly and Sam Glover (and a few others) are my heros - I don't know how they can do it - bring stuff to life.  I've had a crack for my own amusement but everything I write just seems dull and lifeless in comparison.  I probably shouldn't be looking for a career change any time soon.

 

Both of those marvellous characters have been in the business a fair while. I think they're both as odd as their words make them appear too. Don't forget, they've had many years to develop their style. I don't think anyone becomes a fabulous writer overnight.

[Tamworthbay]

Do it "Bob"

 

Ive done it, its not hard to do, submit some stuff, dont expect fame fortune or offers of TV shows,but if it happens then happy days.

Just enjoy yourself.

Exaxtly this, have a go as there is nothing to lose. I wrote for a mini magazine for a couple of years. It was hardly going to replace my day job but it was extra money for doing something I really enjoyed.

[chaseracer]

You were quite good, too... 

 

For the purpose of clarification and the avoidance of any doubt, he still is!

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

There seems to be a number of Autoshite posters who write. It does show in the content here actually.

 

Definitely have a go Bobthebeard. Engaging phrases like, "Nervously prodding at rust since 1978", demonstrate that you have the ability!

[egg]

One of the problems is we all expect 'content' for free these days, I admire DW and others who give away a lot of their craft for free without (seeming) bitter about it. It's hard to get paid for creativity when anyone can publish!

[AMC Rebel]

One of the problems is we all expect 'content' for free these days, I admire DW and others who give away a lot of their craft for free without (seeming) bitter about it. It's hard to get paid for creativity when anyone can publish!

 

This is true - I have a journo (non-motoring) friend I've known for more than 30 years - when he started out it was a respected craft (at least within the industry) that you could make a living at.  Now anyone thinks they can do it (not intending to have a go at anyone who wants to have a try) and no-one wants to pay for it.  He is trying to diversify but it's not easy when you're our age.  

 

I admire Ted Connolly - he's obviously never made a stack of cash at it either, but he plainly loves writing and I love his self-effacing style.  When I started reading his stuff I thought he must be a lot older than me - but he can't be, or he'd be dead already.

[AMC Rebel]

 

 

Both of those marvellous characters have been in the business a fair while. I think they're both as odd as their words make them appear too. Don't forget, they've had many years to develop their style. I don't think anyone becomes a fabulous writer overnight.

 

Indeed - I fully agree.

[plasticvandan]

I've written a few articles for club mags,and had a 2 page feature in classic van and pickup AND part of a 2 page article on Reliants in the Daily Fail.

Its quite enjoyable BUT wierdly with the club mags once you have quickly glanced what you wrote in print there's a huge anti climax as you already know what it says as you wrote it,so there's as few pages in your new mag that aren't new or interesting,guess its like people in bands who won't listen to their own records

[strangeangel]

My favourite automotive magazine was (and remains) the much-missed Used Motorcycle Guide. Most of the content consisted of articles written by the readership, and they didn't take advertising so the editorial position was refreshingly independent. I always found it far more informative and entertaining than stuff written by professional journalists. On that basis I reckon everyone above who's expressed an interest in writing should get together and do an AS blog - it'd most likely be great!

[Jim Bell]

I dont like to blow my own trumpet because it stinks but Ive had letters published in Viz and Practical Classics.

[JohnDeere]

By happy coincidence - the job of Reviews Editor is going at Jalopnik

 

http://gizmodo.com/careers/job/475167

 

Need to be in Yankland though. The job description is a pretty good guide to the skillz needed for any writing/journalism job.

[surprisingskoda]

It's so true, I did a bit of writing and photos just when digital cameras and the Internet were taking hold, but everyone with a mobile and the ability to string three words together is doing articles on the Web now and a lot submitting them for free to mags.

I absolutely applaud anyone that does it for the love of it, or exhibits some talent in photography or constructing prose. It's just very hard to make your mark in a discipline that's become saturated.

If you go for it, don't be afraid to be unique. Let your personality come through. It's those pieces that warrant reading, nobody needs another article by numbers.

[Lacquer Peel]

Don't "Troy Queef" it.