✍️ Have you noticed the number of writing newsletters that are suggesting you write about the pandemic? It’s new. It’s a fresh topic. We are all experiencing it in one way or another. Perhaps it is the perfect choice for a writing subject.
Consider this, however. By the time you write the essay or story, and it goes throughout ugh the process of first draft, editing, submitting, and possible acceptance including re-editing, the pandemic could be long over. If you choose to write about what we are all experiencing right now, choose a place to submit to that has a fast turnaround. Websites and newspapers would be publications with a quicker turnaround than print magazines or anthologies. I have a feeling people will want to put corona virus topics behind them and move forward. But maybe an article like “How to Prepare for the Next Pandemic” might work.
There are definite trends in the writing world. Even in fiction. For a while stories about women who are giants in the sports world are ‘in’ or bi-racial marriages or certain political situations. It’s not much different than the way fashion trends come and go.
You don’t want to have an editor respond with something like “Sorry, but this topic is so over.” Or “We covered this last year.”
You wouldn’t send a holiday story days before the holiday itself. You would submit that kind of story many months ahead. It’s the same as sending a corona virus pandemic story in 2022. (Unless we are still dealing with it then, and I certainly hope not)
Sports writers concentrate on the sport of the season, not one that finished a couple weeks ago. Unless it’s a wrap-up story. Their focus is on what is current. What readers want to read about.
Pay attention to the trends in books. What kind of books are at the top of the charts? Mysteries, war stories, political fiction, romances? They’re all being written and read but some run hotter than others from time to time.
We live in a world of trends. It would be to your benefit to keep track of the trends of the moment.
Consider this, however. By the time you write the essay or story, and it goes throughout ugh the process of first draft, editing, submitting, and possible acceptance including re-editing, the pandemic could be long over. If you choose to write about what we are all experiencing right now, choose a place to submit to that has a fast turnaround. Websites and newspapers would be publications with a quicker turnaround than print magazines or anthologies. I have a feeling people will want to put corona virus topics behind them and move forward. But maybe an article like “How to Prepare for the Next Pandemic” might work.
There are definite trends in the writing world. Even in fiction. For a while stories about women who are giants in the sports world are ‘in’ or bi-racial marriages or certain political situations. It’s not much different than the way fashion trends come and go.
You don’t want to have an editor respond with something like “Sorry, but this topic is so over.” Or “We covered this last year.”
You wouldn’t send a holiday story days before the holiday itself. You would submit that kind of story many months ahead. It’s the same as sending a corona virus pandemic story in 2022. (Unless we are still dealing with it then, and I certainly hope not)
Sports writers concentrate on the sport of the season, not one that finished a couple weeks ago. Unless it’s a wrap-up story. Their focus is on what is current. What readers want to read about.
Pay attention to the trends in books. What kind of books are at the top of the charts? Mysteries, war stories, political fiction, romances? They’re all being written and read but some run hotter than others from time to time.
We live in a world of trends. It would be to your benefit to keep track of the trends of the moment.
Great advice. Down the road, I'm pretty sure the last thing I'll want to read is an essay about the coronavirus. I'm already limiting my TV & radio because I'm overwhelmed with the constant focus on the virus.
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