Stuart F - August 14, 2010 writes:

One of the key points raised in the non-fiction course is to identify a magazine/outlet and then write your article for it. While this makes sense, I find it really hard to resist getting the piece down exactly as I want it while doing the research. This inevitably results in re-writes/tailoring, but it means the piece can then be targetted at multiple audiences, and I can relax a bit as I have "my perfect" copy :-) I'm only on assignment 2, so I wanted to check with the more experienced among you whether this is a bad habit I need to get out of, or if it's actually not so terrible (and I can stop feeling guilty!)

Peter L - August 16, 2010 replied:

Hi Stuart,

I agree with your point. If we are always copying the style of our targeted magazines, what happens to our own unique style?

Maybe WB should have a category on this forum so that we can ask specific questions like yours and get experienced advice?

I've not published anything yet myself, so I daresay I'm no expert but it is probably easier to produce a master copy in your own style and then reproduce subsequent versions to the agreed style of the targeted publications.

My guess is that the more you write and rewrite the better the quality of your work. Like you, I'm in the very early stages of this course. I'm on the lower levels of a huge learning curve.

Pete L

Catherine H - August 17, 2010 replied:

Hi Stuart I do it in a similar way to you. I firstly think of a topic and write it up and then look for a magazine and rewrite it for specific magazines. I find it much easier that way too. I suppose it's whatever feels most comfortable to you, I doubt it's a terrible thing! Well I hope not anyway :) Good luck with your assignments

Administrator - September 3, 2010 replied:

Hi Stuart, It is unfortunate that when starting out as a writer - and to be honest throughout most of a writers life - you will have to write in the style of the publication you are aiming to write for. It is the skill of a good writer to be able to target their writing to many different markets by being able to change their style. Once you become established you may be able to sell your work with your own unique style but until then you'll just have to fit in with what the editor wants.