Become a Non-Fiction Specialist
Focus on a Few Topics, and Become an Editor's Expert Writer
Jan 4, 2008
Everyone is a specialist in something. Just think of all the things you have done in your life, your hobbies and interests, your jobs and relationships and passions. Each of us has learned a lot, and maybe it’s time to put some of that knowledge to good use and become a non-fiction specialist.
Specializing Does Not Limit Your Writing Topics
Often when writers hear the word ‘specialist’ they think that by specializing in one or a few topics, they wouldn’t be able to write about other things that interest them. This is not so. Specializing simply allows you to develop a core group of writing topics and become known as an expert on those.
Start by sending out article ideas that you know you are qualified to write about. For example, if you have been a long-distance runner for years, entered and completed prestigious races, you have expertise in that activity, expertise that could get you assignments from sports magazines, and general interest publications as well. If you are an expert baker, you could parlay that talent into assignments from cooking and women’s magazines.
Once you have done some brainstorming to isolate your areas of expertise, decide on which areas to focus, then emphasize those areas in great query letters (read more in How to Write Great Query Letters).
Benefits of Specializing
There are many benefits to specializing. Here are some of the best:
- Queries which play up your expertise in a particular area – whether it is a sport, cooking, or traveling to a certain place – are more likely to sell because editors like experience.
- You don't have to try to stay current on all the developments in all the topics you are currently writing about.
- By focusing on one or a few topics it is easier to manage your research and writing time, and to get more writing done.
- Once you begin selling articles about long distance running or baking bread or traveling to Newfoundland, you have a body of work that will impress new editors, and make old editors rely more upon you.
- As you become known as an expert in a particular topic you are more likely to get assignments without having to write query letters, and make more money, too.
Choose Topics That Interest You
When you are brainstorming and considering topics you might specialize in, remember that you will have more enthusiasm, which will show in your writing, if you choose topics that truly interest you. If you run every day for your health, but hate every step along the way, you may be an expert in running but you might not be a happy specialist in articles about running. So choose your specializations carefully.
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