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So You Want to Be a (Food) Writer: Two Chances You Shouldn’t Miss
So you want to write about food? Well, have I got a deal for you!
Okay, you really didn’t need to bring up that bargain we talked about last time. I heard you, that bridge is now in Arizona; how was I to know? Just consider it a lesson well paid for. Anyways, you’re getting me Way Off Task here…
When I was in school I didn’t care much for English as a class; I only kept my grades up to avoid beatings. (See how clever I am?) And now I find myself writing, reading and speaking for a living. Careful what you don’t wish for!
Let’s say you want to write a food blog. Or a novel, maybe with a celebrity chef theme. Or write cookbooks. Whatever your choice, you need to study writing, look for opportunities to show off your work, and you need to model on the great writing of others.
But mostly, you need to practice putting lines of words in a row.
Notice I didn’t say you needed to make sense; there are way too many pieces of writing that don’t, and some even win awards. But if you don’t start, and then keep at it, day after day, you’l never be a writer. You’ll remain a wannabe, probably spending all your time as a groupie at websites that have great writing.
So here are a couple of great opportunities to get started…
Join National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) this year, and actually get the little award for completing 50,000 words (or more) in a month. Sound impossible? Not really; I’ve done it a couple times, and am going for my hat trick this year. And no, I won’t stop posting to the Chile Underground (or my other sites) while I’m writing. Now that I’m practiced, I’ve got a daily goal of 3,500 words, which will get me there comfortably. With room for the occasional recipe.
Not easily, mind you; that’s a tough goal. But if it ain’t hard, it ain’t worth it.
You wanted to do a cookbook first? Well, guess what; NaNoWriMo will get you practiced on simply writing, and since you have to actually produce a pile of stuff, so you’ll have the stamina you need for a good cooking guide. (Trust me, it’s not so easy; I’ve done several, including some here.)
Maybe you’re more the food blog type? Well, first off, good luck; I’ve got that industry niche pretty much filled up, of course. But if you’re still game, then get a blog somewhere (Typepad, WordPress, Blogger, LiveJournal; your call, they’re all free) and get writing! If you think you’re really ready, then you’ve already thought of a style, voice or viewpoint that’s unique. Go for it!
Combining food themes with another you enjoy, like travel, is a good way to build a following. Or maybe you have an ingredient or dish you want to specialize in? Google it first, then have at it!
Here’s the real trick: Sign up for National Blog Posting Month. You’ll get to use their theme, or make up your own. But there’s pressure (self-inflicted) to post at least once a day, for a whole month. Sounds painless? I did it twice, and it nearly killed me. But it made me a stronger writer.
Just don’t say I didn’t warn you…
Enjoy the (Sweaty Keyboard) Heat!
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