Idea Book


Want to be a prolific and successful freelance writer? You need to gather and hoard every article idea you ever have pop into your head. Ideas are the seeds of success, reaping a rich and bountiful harvest of publishing credits. Collect all your thoughts in an idea book. I use a three ring binder with dividers marking each section.

Section One - Article Ideas
The first section lists topics - activities and places I want to write about. For instance, I jot down interesting community events, fascinating town histories, spectacular hiking areas, and quirky restaurants I come across in my travels.

Use a separate page for each article idea. At the top of the page, write a description of the idea and note possible slants (a focus for the article). Next, list photographic shots, people to contact for information, and names of potential interview subjects. If a topic fits well with a particular magazine, note the publication's name.

Idea Book example:

The snowy path - hiking up Teapot Mountain in the winter.

  • Herbie Hermit hikes up Teapot ever January. HH may be willing to be interviewed.
  • Ranger Earl is very knowledgeable on the area and has some good tips about winter hiking (office telephone #555-0000).
  • Photos - Herbie in his winter elk skin coat, sun rising on Teapot mountain, rustic cabin at midpoint.

  • Market - Odd Trails magazine (requested writer's guidelines).

Section Two - Market Information
In the second section, I keep a list of market info for magazines, newspapers, and on-line publications. When I run into interesting periodical, I note the publication's title, mailing address, and editor info in my idea book.

Describe the articles running in the magazine and types of stories being published i.e. human interest narratives, how-to articles, or in depth interviews. Request magazine writer's guidelines and tuck them into this section.

Section Three - Queries and Manuscripts Sent
Keep track of the articles, letters, and queries you send out. Note the date sent, the article's title, the name of the publication and editor, and a follow up date. Writer's Market lists a magazine's response time, the time it usually takes to receive a reply back from an editor. If the publication takes two months to reply then set your follow up date for 8 or 9 weeks from the time you submit. If you have not received a reply from the editor, follow up by mail and politely request a response about your article.

The copyright of the article Idea Book in Travel Writing is owned by Kim Applegate. Permission to republish Idea Book in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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