Sometimes all it takes to get a writing gig is saying ‘I can do that.’
That’s what New Jersey freelancer Jen Miller discovered when she pitched a World Series story to the sports section of the New York Times – and then another, and another.
Miller doesn’t normally cover sports. But she’s a Phillies fan and had just read a piece in a writers’ newsletter about who to pitch at the Times. So when the World Series was underway and she got an idea for a related story, she sent an email. To her surprise, she got a quick answer and a quick sale.
Jen explains exactly how it happened in this post on her blog, Down the Shore.
The bottom line – when you get inspired, follow through – and quickly. And don’t be afraid to aim high.
Because sometimes it is all about being in the right place at the right time with the right idea.
Jen and I roomed together in Tampa, and I gotta say, that girl is fearless. She’s friendly and completely at ease talking to editors and anyone else, really. I’m hoping some of it rubbed off on me…
Fearless is good. Some people are born with it, some have to work on it constantly. I’m of the latter persuasion and envious of people who are naturally bold.
Michelle R.
Susan – What a nice thing to say! Thank you.
I don’t know if I’m naturally bold or not. It’s taken me nearly 4 years to go to this point, but boy did I learn a lot.
And editors are just people like you and me! They need us as much as we need them. They have their good days and their bad days. If they’re coming to a conference, they want writers, so I’m more than happy to help them out 🙂 But you know where I think I learned how to go up and talk to strangers and feel perfectly fine doing it? Concerts. That’s right — concerts. I started going to concerts by myself for work and would just start talking to people. Since that time, it’s been a breeze!
Michelle — Thanks so much for this post. It was really nice to see.
Jen
I think I learned how to feel confident approaching total strangers from my mother – growing up she would talk to anyone anywhere about anything – the grocer store cashier, women in the locker room of her athletic club, shoppers in a store, etc. Now I find myself doing the same thing!
Michelle R.
Having confidence and a positive attitude can certainly bring you a long way!