By W. Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

I’ve written magazine articles which appear in publications with over a million subscribers. Other articles reach 100,00 to 200,000 readers, which is way more than any of my books will reach. As a long-time journalist writing for different publications and a former magazine editor, I’m intimately acquainted with the elements for these articles.

If you’ve written a query letter, then you’ve already written the opening for your article. Otherwise, the first step in the writing is to create a motivating opening story. The key phrase is to make it motivating. The opening must propel the reader into the rest of the article so they can’t stop reading.

Here’s one example from my own personal story: “I’ve gone to church most of my life, but I lived off my parent’s faith until half way through my sophomore year in college.” How is that? Would it propel you to keep reading? Probably not.

Here’s the way my story began in a published article, “I slapped the snooze alarm for the third time and finally opened my eyes at Chi Phi, my fraternity house. Last night was a late one. After covering an evening speech and interview for the school paper, I worked frantically on the story until just before midnight, when I dropped it into the hands of a waiting editor.”

Compare these two examples. Notice the detail in the second version. I am not telling you about the experience, I am showing you. Repeatedly the writing books and teachers say, “Show don’t tell.” Writing coaches urge writers to use dialogue and the type of detail for a story which propels readers into an experience.

After writing the article’s opening, how do you continue? If you’ve done your research for the article, you will not write 2,000 words for a publication that only takes 500-word articles. Because you have a target length for your article, this word count helps give definition for your plan.

Also, if you’ve learned what the publication will use, you’ve created a focus. Can you summarize the point of the article into a single sentence? Complete the sentence: My article is about _____. After you’ve written this sentence, never wander away from this goal. Sometimes in articles when I was an editor at Decision, the author would begin well then wander around and finally conclude. The articles lacked focus and the sentence statement will help you keep the article on track.

For each of my magazine pieces, I write from an outline. Normally my article will have several points or illustrations. A standard outline would be:

• the problem
• the possible solution
• your solution

 If you’re writing about a person, your outline might include different aspects of the person’s life such as childhood, life before Christ and life after Christ. Write out the different points for your outline. When I write a short story, I use the same approach. What is the beginning, middle and ending? An outline keeps the writer focused on the article’s goal.

Also be realistic with yourself and your writing life. Can you only write for 30 minutes a day or maybe it is only 10 minutes? Are you motivated to write the entire article in one session? Or maybe you decided to write one point from your outline during each session. Whatever your writing goals, the point is to write consistently and keep moving the article toward completion.

After you’ve written the article, put it away for a period. If you are on a tight deadline, that might involve eating lunch and then returning to continue further editing. If you have the time, you might wait several days or a week. When you return to your article read it out loud. The ear is less forgiving than the eye. Reading it out loud will point out areas for you to revise and rewrite.

The focus of your entire article will be that single sentence and keep your article in a tightly written story. It is just what the reader (and editor) needs.

Can I Write for ________ Magazine?

I love print magazines and I subscribe to a number of them. When they arrive, I frequently read them cover to cover. While I enjoy many different types of publications, as a writer, I also take a deeper look to see if there is an opportunity for me to write for the magazine.

I want to give you some of the benchmarks and resources you can use to evaluate your magazines and see if you have an opportunity to publish with them. Every editor begins the issue with blank pages to fill. These empty pages spell opportunities for freelance writers.

First, look at how long the publication has been in business. If the magazine is a new publication, the contributors have not yet been established. If the magazine has been around for years, notice who writes the articles. Are their names listed on the masthead as “contributing writers?” If so, then the magazine may be mostly staff written and does not use much freelance material.

Next use Google to search for the magazine online. Does the publication have writer’s guidelines or information about submissions? If so, then they are normally open to freelance articles. Read these guidelines and follow the instructions. Does their website list themes for forthcoming issues or have a “themes list?” If you pitch an idea related to these themes, then you will get more interest from the editor because you are sending something that is in alignment with what the editor needs or has requested.

Go to your local library and use the latest Writer’s Market Guide. Use the index to look up the entry for the magazine. What percentage of their magazine is freelance? The higher the percentage the more likely there is opportunity for the writer. Do they pay on acceptance or publication? As a writer, I prefer publications that pay on acceptance. Magazines that pay on publication may hold your article for many months before publishing (and paying).

As in book publishing, the magazine world is constantly changing. For example, I noticed recently Architectural Digest has a new editor. I learned this fact because each month the editor writes a brief column in the front of the magazine. Change can spell opportunity for the writer because a new editor may be open to new ideas and new pitches for the publication. To gain an assignment, you have to be on their radar. As a freelance writer, you get on their radar through professional pitching—and not just once or twice but over and over.

Every magazine is looking for dependable, professional writers who can deliver excellent writing on the editor’s deadline. You will have to prove yourself but as you deliver quality writing repeatedly, then you will gain the editor’s trust and become someone who is a part of their team of regular writers. The procedure is a process and begins with studying the publication then pitching appropriate articles.

Opportunity is everywhere. Use these tips to begin writing for publication.

W. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor and former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and Billy Graham. Get Terry’s newest book, 10 Publishing Myths for only $10, free shipping and bonuses worth over $200. To help writers catch the attention of editors and agents, Terry wrote his bestselling Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success. Check out his free Ebook, Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Connect with Terry on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.