Writing for Teen MagazinesWritten by Mridu Khullar (http://www.WritersCrossing.com)
I would look at magazines my teenage neighbor and her friends stashed away in their cupboards and think, “Heck, I could do that!” So one day, while she was away at school, I broke into her room and “borrowed” magazines. Teenage magazines have changed since we were teens, I can tell you that. No longer do they advocate sex after marriage and accepting everything for what it is. Teenage magazines today are a whole different gamut. So, if you go into shock mode quickly, this market may not be your cup of tea. If you want to get published in teenage market, you have to be familiar with slang that kids these days use. Gone are days of grammar appropriate “I have a crush on…” Now girls are crushing on guys, hanging with their friends and trying to achieve super cool status. And if you’ve got a problem with that, take a chill pill! Forget vocabulary, forget grammar. Throw all rules your English teacher taught you in trash, because you’re not going to need many of them. That’s deal. When writing for teenagers, you’ve got to be one. You’ve got to think like a thirteen-year old trying to figure out if guy she’s crushing on really likes her or not. It might not be a big deal for you, but for that thirteen year old, it’s her life. It’s important. Which brings me to another important aspect—you have to give importance to subject matter. If you think fighting with your best friend is no big deal, you have no place writing for this market. On other hand, if you whole-heartedly believe that sole reason of your existence is guy you can’t take your eyes off, then you might have a chance. Don’t misinterpret this to mean that teenagers aren’t involved in serious issues, though. You’ll often find articles and issues for serious teen—community service, road rage, drinking and even drugs—all topics that are given their share of space in these magazines.
| | 5 Questions to Ask About Every Article IdeaWritten by Mridu Khullar (http://www.WritersCrossing.com)
I know a good idea when I see one. So should you. Dump those time-tested ideas you’re sending off to editors every other day, and find ideas that will get you assignment each time, every time. How do you know whether your brilliant idea will strike a chord and get you assignment or land your neatly crafted query in slush pile? Use following checklist to find out whether you have a winner or another stale idea that editor’s been rejecting since she set foot in her editorial office. Here are some of questions an editor will ask of each article idea: What’s new? ---------------- If you’re writing for a pregnancy magazine, chances are editor has already covered topics such as exercises and diet regulation. What are you going to say that stands apart? Can you provide a unique spin to these topics? If yes, you’re in door. Think different. Instead of talking about diet issues, list twenty food items that are to be avoided throughout pregnancy. Be innovative. Come up with topics you’ve never seen featured before. Are there any negative feelings, unresolved issues or body changes that might not be so great that would-be mothers need to know more about? Will reader connect? --------------------------- You may have most innovative, brilliant and mind-blowing idea. Yet, it may lead to a rejection if you’re targeting wrong market. Send an idea about getting over broken live-in relationships to a magazine in India, and don’t expect anything but a rejection. But send it over to a singles magazine in England, and you may have a chance. The first thing editor wants to know when she lays eyes on your query is whether her readers will value your subject matter. If her readers won’t take to it, she won’t either. Will it keep reader captivated? -------------------------------------- Picture this: I come home from a long day at work. While I relax on my couch, I could flick channels on remote or pick up magazine and leaf through articles. My eyes rest on your piece. Is your piece intriguing and interesting enough to make me stay with you, or would I prefer to watch what’s on TV? It’s every editor’s fear—that her loyal reader will ditch reading magazine for something more interesting. And with number of entertainment avenues available today, that won’t be a problem. In order to keep reader (and editor) keen on your idea, you’ve got to suggest something that will keep them wanting more. Does your idea have that virtue? Is there a surprise element? ----------------------------- The more unexpected, better. Readers love surprises. That’s why, editors do too. Surprise doesn’t always have to mean an anti-climax or a situation of complete irony. Surprises can be subtle, yet effective. Add a little known statistic or a funny anecdote in your article. Go out of your way to find an amazing fact or figure. Don’t go out of context though. There’s nothing worse than getting sidetracked from theme of article.
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