I am often asked by new outdoor writers for a list of writing books, magazines and suggestions to help them get started.
My first suggestion is to determine WHY you want to be an outdoor writer. This seems silly, but if you don’t REALLY love hunting, fishing and all that goes along with it and are not passionate about it, it will be torture (it will be torture sometimes anyway)but you will not stick with it unless you really like it. I fell into outdoor writing and learned to love it, but I have been in and around hunting and the taxidermy business for many years so it made sense for me to start my career there. If you are not truly in love with the outdoors then write about something else.
I am not a taxidermist nor a world class hunter yet but am great at picking their brains, research and writing about what I find. I NEVER try to come off as a hunting EXPERT because I am not one. I am learning along with my readers and it works for me. I have cultivated a group of experts who can help me and that is why I don’t have to know everything. Baloney is easily recognized.
The next step is to actually READ several outdoor magazines. Pick the ones you enjoy the most and figure out WHY you like them. Could it be the writers grab your attention with great descriptions of their hunts, or maybe teach you great tips and techniques to improve your hunting or do you like the graphics and photos? What is it about the publication that you REALLY like and what don’t you care for?
Next brush up on your writing mechanics. Grab a basic high school writing book and browse through it. I don’t suggest that you try to memorize the whole thing or get bogged down trying to figure out where your commas are supposed to go, but editors do appreciate clean well flowing copy. They usually have proofreaders to make sure your spelling and punctuation is correct, but at least aim for turning in the best article you can. I am not an editor, but I am sure if I had to choose between an article with several problems or a clean easily read one, well you get the idea…
I did not go to college to become a writer, but I did and still do read loads of books, articles and blog posts about writing. I frequently browse the used writing book section of Hastings and even Goodwill to learn more. I am realistic about my skills, and know I have a load of learning to do. I am fine with that. If I had waited until I knew everything I would still be waiting and allowing my insecurity to control my dreams.
I feel that in the craft of writing one really doesn’t just wake up and know they have arrived at the pinnacle of writing genius. Most of us have to work hard to create artful writing and in my case it is a constant struggle to improve. Some of my first articles were terrible and I am a little confused as to how they were even printed. Articles I write now are much more polished, but in a few years if I keep working at it, I know the articles I turn in then will be so much better than now. I surely have not even come close to the lofty status of writing genius, nor ever will, but every step is closer than I was before.
I refer to several books and a few really great websites as I write, check them out.
For grammar and writing mechanics:
The Elements of Style,by Strunk and White. This book should be on everyone’s list and referred to often. It is probably stashed away in your old high school box in the attic. When an editor tells you to “tighten up” your writing, he may be a fan of this book and the concepts.
The Synonym Finder by J.I. Rodale. This is a MEGA thesaurus!
Random House Guide to Good Writing, by Mitchell Ivers
Your Writing Coach, by Jurgen Wolff.
The Chicago Manual of Style, by The University of Chicago Press. This usually sits on my desk and is too overwhelming for me to use all that much but my goal for this year is to dig into it and understand it better.
For tips on getting published:
Secrets of a Freelance Writer by
Robert W. .Bly
Writers Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing, Edited by Michelle Ruberg
My favorite writing magazine is The Writer Magazine, published by Kalmbach Publishing Company. GREAT tips, and practical articles by actual writers in the business.
I do follow a few websites and one of the very BEST is Funds for Writers.com. C. Hope Clark is so much fun and the time spent on her site is well worth it.
I also really enjoy WOW-Women on Writing.This is GREAT fun for women writers and I have learned MUCH from these gals. There is also a really fun sisterhood here.
If writing is your passion and you also love the outdoors, give it a try and don’t let anyone say you can’t.
