{"id":706,"date":"2010-01-19T04:31:46","date_gmt":"2010-01-19T12:31:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=706"},"modified":"2010-01-19T04:34:30","modified_gmt":"2010-01-19T12:34:30","slug":"focus-your-article-whats-the-point-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=706","title":{"rendered":"Focus Your Article–What’s the Point?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is excerpted from my online Article-Writing Course. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_magarticles.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n

Most editors don\u2019t want \u201call about\u201d articles. They may publish articles on a wide array of subjects, but the individual article must have a specific purpose. Aspen Magazine, for example, publishes essays, articles on new products, historical pieces, articles on environmental issues and most any topic that relates to Aspen, Colorado. But you\u2019re going to have a better chance of being published in Aspen if you submit an article that is narrowly focused. For example, they would probably sooner accept your piece featuring a local artist who has made it big than a piece about the variety of art pursued in Aspen or one all about your appreciation for Colorado art. <\/p>\n

Woman\u2019s World frequently publishes articles on how one woman made a difference. But they wouldn\u2019t be interested in your piece on why some women are altruistic and some aren\u2019t and what happens in people\u2019s lives to make them want to reach out to others. A psychology or religious magazine might be willing to publish this piece.<\/p>\n

Below are examples of 4 broad subjects each followed by possible pointed or more narrowly focused article ideas:<\/p>\n

Showing horses as a hobby.<\/strong>
\nTips for winning in the show ring
\nHow to choose the right riding master for your child
\nGrooming techniques for a show horse<\/p>\n

Flying kites for fun<\/strong>
\n\tHow to make a box kite
\n\tTips for flying stunt kites
\n\tThe best kite-flying exhibitions in Southern California<\/p>\n

Wedding planning<\/strong>
\n\tGo Hawaiian: How to present an authentic luau wedding reception for 200 guests
\n\tGreat gifts for your wedding party
\n\tHow to overcome pre-wedding jitters<\/p>\n

Gardening<\/strong>
\n\tContainer herb gardening for apartment dwellers
\n\tHow to integrate art into your garden
\n\tEasy to install water features for your garden<\/p>\n

It may help you to narrow your focus by studying regular columns in the magazines (or newspapers) you want to write for. The general topic might be foods, beauty, home and garden, parenting, seniors or spirituality, for example. Read several columns and observe how the writers narrow down their focus. Most magazine websites list the table of contents for several issues. Read the story titles. Study technique and you\u2019ll soon get the idea. <\/p>\n

It may take some brain-storming to find your article focus. See if this helps:<\/p>\n

\u2022\tOf course, you have already studied the magazine\u2019s Guidelines for Writers. <\/p>\n

\u2022\tYou\u2019ve looked at the magazine (or at least their website) with an open mind in order to see what they typically publish.<\/p>\n

\u2022\tYou\u2019ve set aside your attachment to your article written the way you want it and containing the material and stories you want to share. <\/p>\n

\u2022\tNow write down topics within your main subject.<\/p>\n

\u2022\tNarrow the focus of each topic down even more.<\/p>\n

As an example: your subject might be fishing. Possible topics might be:
\n\tFishing in Alaska
\n\tHow I love fishing
\n\tFishing in Mexico
\n\tLake fishing<\/p>\n

Now focus:
\n\tWhich lure catches the most trout in Cachuma Lake?
\n\tHow to survive cold water fishing trips.
\n\tWhere do they catch the big ones in Mexico?
\n\tHow to instill the love of fishing in your child.<\/p>\n

And folks, if you promise the editor a \u201chow to,\u201d make sure that it is a how-to with a real self-help element and not an essay describing your decision to go fishing, getting dressed and packing for the trip, driving to the fishing hole, etc. <\/p>\n

Learn more about the process of, technique and psychology of article-writing by signing up for my on-demand, online article-writing course. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_magarticles.htm<\/a>
\nThe course runs 6-weeks, includes 6 lectures and assignments, and you get to work with me on your first article. $125. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is excerpted from my online Article-Writing Course. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_magarticles.htm Most editors don\u2019t want \u201call about\u201d articles. They may publish articles on a wide array of subjects, but the individual article must have a specific purpose. Aspen Magazine, for example, publishes essays, articles on new products, historical pieces, articles on environmental issues and most any topic […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t