I’ve aspired to write for the Wall Street Journal since I started working as a business reporter. It was and remains one of the most influential purveyors of business news in the country; what business reporter wouldn’t want their work to be showcased there?
Today my dream came true. Right there on pg. R6 of the paper’s “Next” section on boomers and retirement, you can read my story “Benefits of the Boomerang,” about how moving back with mom and dad isn’t all bad for many young adult children who for economic reasons have to return to the nest. It’s not the longest piece, but hey, I’ll take it.
I’ve already done one interview with the WSJ Radio Network in support of the piece, and am doing another a few hours from now for The Daily Wrap show. When and if those interview segments are online, I’ll share the links here.
A little back story: The Next section editor contacted me while I was still covering boomer issues for SecondAct.com, which Entrepreneur Media has since stopped publishing, though the website remains online. At first I was too busy to pitch, then when I did the section was running stories that had already been assigned and didn’t need new pitches. I pinged them again around Labor Day with a pitch, but wound up getting an assignment for this story instead, with about two weeks to turn it around.
My takeaways from the experience:
1. Do your best, whatever publication you’re currently writing for. The WSJ editor contacted me because he’d seen the work I was doing for SecondAct. I wrote for SecondAct for two years. I loved the experience: even though it wasn’t my highest paying gig, the editing was great (more on that), the editorial team felt like a family and I got to dive deep enough into the subjects of boomers and career reinvention to feel like an expert.
2. Work with the best editors you can find. My SecondAct editor, Donna Wares, is one of the best I’ve had the privilege of working with (she recently took over as business editor at the Orange County Register). There were days when I really didn’t want to work on the rewrites to blog posts or features that she suggested. But in the end, they made my pieces stronger, and I have to think that’s why other editors noticed. So thanks Donna!
3. Have a beat. It’s great to be a generalist, but if you specialize on one or two or a few topics, you have the opportunity to explore what’s happening within that subject in more depth, which can lead to better stories.
4. Don’t give up your dreams. I’ve been at this for a long time, long enough to become complacent about what I was capable of accomplishing. Having SecondAct go away gave me extra incentive to get out there and follow up with some of my dream markets.
5, Aim high. If you do your best, work with the best editors you can find and carve a beat out for yourself, there’s not a huge difference between writing for big publications and small ones. So why not go for it?
Have you landed a piece in your dream publication? Share your story – and what you learned from the experience – by leaving a comment.
Congratulations! Dreams do come true, if you continue to work hard and if you’re patient enough.
I enjoyed reading the article. Unfortunately your subject is about an all too common occurrence these days, children moving back home because that can’t afford to live on their own. Most, I believe, are recent college graduates. The real sad part is the horrendous college debt they assume, with little chance of paying it off any time soon.
Michelle, congrats on breaking into the WSJ! That’s on my dream market list, too, so I really appreciate you sharing how you did it. Not to brown-nose, but I wanted to add that you are an excellent editor yourself, always asking intelligent (never pit-picky) questions that improve the story.
Here’s a blog post about some of the articles I’m most proud of: http://www.urbanmusewriter.com/2011/01/open-thread-your-brightest-article-ideas.html The second article mentioned for Parade magazine was the result of a blind pitch immediately following ASJA. I hadn’t gotten a chance to meet the editor during Personal Pitch, but mentioned ASJA and how much I would have liked to have met her and it worked!
Thanks Susan, you’ve not so bad to work with yourself. I remember reading our Parade magazine article on Wish-Upon-a-Wedding and the couple they helped get married; you’re a beautiful writer! And as your story shows, it pays off to take a risk.
Michelle
Congratulations!!! The WSJ? That’s wonderful – very impressive! I hope you get more assignments now that they know you.
I’ve been writing brief pieces (reviews and other small stuff) for Family Fun magazine for 8 years, so I was thrilled this year to finally get a feature published there – I’ve been pitching to them for many years. I am still trying to get a full-length travel feature published though – keep plugging away!
Sue Jackson
http://www.suzanjackson.com
http://www.bookbybook.blogspot.com
Way to go!
Michelle
I saw that piece this morning…recognized your byline…and have been intending to email you all day. Just saw your tweet, though, so this is easier! 🙂 Great job!!
Congratulations, Michelle. It’s great and encouraging to read the “back story” here at WordCount.
I have been in the electrical construction industry forty one years, and have owned my consulting company nineteen years. I have also been writing a blog about electrical estimating for over three years. Although I had never thought of myself as a writer, my son-in-law encouraged me to start the blog after listening to me lament the lack of electrical estimating forums on the internet. About two months ago, Electrical Contractor Magazine called and asked me to start writing the estimating column for their magazine. I was stunned. The editor explained that she had been reading my blog, and liked my work. I accepted the assignment in a cool and dignified manner (ya right). My first article will be out later this week, and of course I am nervous.
I have to admit that I have been envious of my colleagues and competitors whom are writing for magazines. In spite of that envy, I never thought of aspiring to join them. Maybe if I had set my sights a little higher, I would have gotten to where I am much sooner. I should have turned my envy into a goal.
Thank you for the WordCount Blog. Although I have only been subscribed for a short while, it has already helped my writing.
Dear Steve:
Thanks so much for sharing your story, how exciting that your blog led to a regular column, I am thrilled for you!
Michelle Rafter
Congrats on selling to one of your dream markets. It’s always a great feeling.
Michelle – Just thought I’d let you know Electrical Contractor Magazine just gave me an assignment contract for another year! Thanks again for the great information in your blog.
Stephen, that is fantastic news!
Michelle Rafter