The might to write
Posted by QueenCrab on June 8th, 2010
You know us music journalists – if there’s one thing we love more than talking about music, it’s talking about how much we love talking about music! All cynicism aside, one of the outlets I write for, PopMatters, has an extensive cache of advice from rock critics for the younger folks out there eyeing to
As for any unsolicited advice I might have for William Millers in training? Don’t expect to make money off this, ever. You’ve got to love music and writing with every fiber of your being. You have to wake up with a song in your head and go to sleep with semicolons on the brain.
Most importantly, write like you. For sure, in order to get published in certain mags, you will have to tailor your style somewhat, but don’t force yourself to be snarky just cos you want a piece at Pitchfork, or don’t get all fawning and schmoopy because you think Seventeen is the shit. Writing for a niche is as good as writing yourself into a corner. Challenge yourself – listen to all kinds of music. Yes, even the stuff hipsters turn their noses up at, or the stuff radio listeners find “weird.” Give smaller, unknown artists a chance – you never know when you might accidentally discover the next phenom.
Get a thesaurus, but don’t get fancy.
And try! Submit your works. You might not land the cover of Rolling Stone upon first attempt, but at least you got your work out there. Hit up other writers for guidance.
Just live it, breathe it, love it. Start a zine. Start a blog. Start a riot. Just start young, and never grow jaded. Because this is the best job in the whole world.
Tags: PopMatters, venus zine