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Home Sweet Home
By Karen L. Alaniz
When I began my writing career, no matter what the source, I
read the same advice over and over; write what you know. After
reading it several dozen times, I finally decided to give it a
try. But what did I know? In order to find out, I bought a
shiny new notebook and started a list. I wrote down all of
the experiences I’d had in my day job, and there were plenty.
After filling several pages, I added my experiences outside of
my job and those too were plentiful. Then quite by chance, I
discovered something that I hadn’t even considered putting on
the list.
I was looking through writing opportunities on one of my
favorite websites when I read something that surprised me.
A regional magazine wanted stories about my hometown. My
hometown? Who in the world would be interested in that? As
it turns out, lots of people were interested; vacationers,
weekend day-trippers, business people. As I contemplated
this, I sat in my comfy chair looking across the street at
Pioneer Park. At that moment a light bulb flickered in my
head and then it turned on with a bright glow. I knew that
the park had a rich history, so I started writing about it.
Then I sent off a query for the article. That day (yes, that
very day) I got an email from the editor. His response was
positive. He wanted the article.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve lived in your town for a few years
or a few decades, there are editors out there looking for what
you have. And to get you started, all you need to do is learn
how to see your hometown with new eyes.
Imagine you are a tourist, unfamiliar with your hometown. Walk
through the streets; go to the restaurants and museums. The
park I wrote about was one that I’d been to hundreds of times.
It had become so familiar to me that I no longer saw its beauty.
But with new eyes I could see what others, unfamiliar with it
would see. Another way to develop new eyes is to think about
where you would take a visitor you didn’t know very well.
Perhaps there are historical sites you’d take them to. Maybe
there is an award-winning winery you’d show off.
Now that you’ve written a fabulous article or query about a
place of interest in your town, it’s time to find a place to
send it. Below are four places you can begin your search.
Freelance Writing
http://www.freelancewriting.com/guidelines/pages/Regional/
lists more than 150 magazines, along with writer’s guidelines
and specifics about editorial needs.
Writers Write
http://www.writerswrite.net/pubbrws.cfm?category=regional&payingstatus=yes
is a database for writer’s guidelines. Included is a large
selection of regional magazines.
Great Adventures
http://www.great-adventures.com/know/plan/publish.html is
a website that lists magazines you might not have thought
about. If you want to put a creative spin on an article about
your hometown, this is the place to look.
Low-Tech Search
Regional articles are one type of writing in which a low-tech
search may be necessary. Visit your local bookstores, convenience
stores, and supermarkets. Websites for regional magazines are
often listed on the front or inside cover, making it easy for
you to jot it down and then go home and visit the magazine online.
There’s no place like home when it comes to regional writing.
All you need to do is step outside your front door, where a
cache of stories await.
Bio:
Karen L. Alaniz is a freelance writer and has also written a
book, Breaking the Code – A Daughter’s Journey. The book
chronicles her journey toward truth after her father gave her
letters he’d written during WWII. You can learn more by
visiting her blog, “Write Now-Because it’s later than you think”
at http://karenlalaniz.blogspot.com.
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