Writing for a Magazine Questions?

Question

Hello,

I would describe myself as creative and i do love sitting down in the backyard watching the sunset, with a pen in hand, writing. Writing anything, poems, stories anything. I have been considering becoming a journalist, i have an ideal picture of me as a journalist living New York. BUT, i don't want to write about politics, i like helping people, not giving a speech about the current candidates, i like volunteering, traveling, kids, i'm handy, and i like picking a piece out of a garage sale and fixing it up, and making it my own. So what possible magazines i could write for?

Answer 1

Journalism isn't for you.  A lot of people make the mistake of becoming a journalist because they like to write about their life or opinion, not realizing that journalism is really writing about someone else's life and opinions.  The only real opinion-related form of journalism is political, which you already said you don't like.  The ideal magazine for you would be a lifestyle magazine -- a magazine like Domino, Elle Decor, etc.  As you mentioned, you like "How-To" Guide style writing, and this would be a great outlet for your creativity.

However, because that's not exactly "cutting edge" journalism, it wouldn't necessarily require that you live in New York -- in fact, the cost of living is so high that your starting salary might not even be worth it.  Contact some magazines and find out what they're looking for, what salary they offer, etc. and (if you haven't yet) start looking into colleges.  Good luck.