So what’s stopping them? Quite simply fear of failure. Fear of other people thinking that what they have to say isn’t worth reading. Fear of editors turning their work away. Fear of their family members laughing at their attempts. This is seriously sad. Sad because of the loss of new and vibrant writers coming on to the South African writing scene at a time when there’s more work available than ever before.
So how do you know you’re good enough to be published? Generally a good test is if people respond to your words, whether it’s an email or that almost forgotten document called a letter. Good writers are good story tellers – because that’s what you’re doing, telling a story, whether it’s an account of a company that rose from relative obscurity to become a leading corporate entity or an account of a new holiday destination that paints such glorious pictures people can’t wait to get there.
Once someone has finished their schooling or tertiary studies they can either write or they can’t – and if they can all they need to learn are the formulas. Each publication has its own formula and before trying to write for newspapers or magazines you learn their styles and formulas and emulate these in your work for them. And don’t be disappointed if at first you get the odd rejection slip – remember J.K. Rowling was turned down by 11 different publishing houses before finding one that recognised her talent. It’s not so difficult to get published here if you do have the ability and of course great English skills. ‘So so’ spelling and grammar won’t cut it – make sure your work is mistake free and try reading it to someone else – if you have them hooked then it’s probably sellable – and you could be a writer!
Marion Scher
www.mediamentors.co.za
pr@mediamentors.co.za
