Carlos
what kind of internships would be useful for someone interested in a writing career?
i would like to go into writing but i don't know where to start. #writing #tv-series
5 answers
Elizabeth Coccia
Elizabeth’s Answer
Depending on what kind of writing you would like to do, you may want to look at magazines as a starting point. Often they will hire interns so they can learn a "day in the life" in the magazine world or you may get a position as a freelance writer and submit articles for print. You can also work at places like Barnes and Noble where you are surrounded by books and can see different kinds of writing styles, how they are marketed, and was is popular in literature and non-fiction.
thanks this is really helpful
Bekemeh
Jennifer Flanigan
Jennifer’s Answer
Like Elizabeth said, it really depends on the type of writing you're interested in. I am a marketing and advertising copywriter, but I started my writing career in editorial. That seems to be a common path many writers follow. You can try for an internship with a brand (meaning a company), advertising agency, publishing house, magazine or newspaper—or you can try to get your work out there on your own. To get published in a magazine or online publication, you can start by "pitching" a story idea to an editor. Pick a topic you're interested in (and knowledgable about!) and write a brief synopsis of the article you'd like to write. Or, you can go ahead and write the article, then shop it around to various appropriate publications until you find an editor who's interested in running it. That way, the editor knows exactly what they are getting up front! Start small with local publications, or start your own blog where you can self-publish your work to build your portfolio. These are just a few ways to get into writing as a career, good luck!
Alex Ivey
Alex’s Answer
Hi Carlos,
That's a great question. I'm glad to see you're interested in writing. Like the other posters to this thread I would ask: what kind of writing are you interested in?
If you don't know right now, that's okay. If the answer is "all of it" then that's great too. A lot of fiction writers start as reporters. If you want to move into something like copywriting for advertising that's a different path but both usually involve internships.
Editorial
I would suggest that you call the local paper (just call the general line if you don't have anything specific and ask for the managing editor) and ask them about internships or check their web site. If you have a personal connection to the staff that's even better! Local papers are an excellent starting point.
One of the other posters to this thread mentioned pitching ideas if you have something you are interested in. That's solid advice. It can be as simple as the local baseball team, or your city government, or music. The point is to find things you want to know more about. This path is very similar to writing for magazines.
A lot of magazines and newspapers offer unpaid internships and that can be difficult if you don't have financial support. But if you're a student you might be able to do it over summer break.
Copywriting
If you're interested in copywriting--that is: writing for advertising--you'll want to look for undergraduate programs where you can study advertising. You'll still need to do an internship at an agency. Those are typically in New York City but there are agencies around the country. If you don't live in NY search for agencies in nearby cities. I see you're in Lynn, MA. I'm not sure what the commute is like but if it's close to Boston, there are lots of agencies there.
In either case be sure to write everyday. Even if it's just nonsense, don't let a day go by in which you don't put words on the page. I hope this was helpful.
Annaleigh Niedzielski
Annaleigh’s Answer
If you're interested in a career in TV writing, pursuing internships that provide relevant experience and exposure to the industry is crucial. Here are some types of internships that can be particularly beneficial:
Writers' Rooms: Interning in a writers' room for a television show is one of the most valuable experiences you can gain. This will give you firsthand insight into the writing process, collaboration, and how scripts evolve from concept to final draft. Even if the show is smaller or less known, the experience will be invaluable.
Production Companies: Interning at a production company allows you to learn about the entire production process. You can observe how scripts are developed, how shows are pitched, and how they’re brought to life on screen. This experience will give you a broader understanding of the industry and the roles different people play.
Talent Agencies: Interning at a talent agency can expose you to the business side of TV writing. You'll learn about how writers are represented, how deals are made, and what kinds of projects are being sought after. This knowledge can be incredibly useful for navigating your own career.
Broadcast Networks or Streaming Services: Internships with networks or streaming platforms can provide insight into programming, development, and audience engagement. You'll learn how decisions are made regarding which shows to produce and the target audiences for those shows.
Screenwriting Competitions or Fellowships: While not traditional internships, participating in screenwriting competitions or fellowships can offer mentorship opportunities, workshops, and networking events that can be crucial for your growth and connections in the industry.
Student Film or TV Projects: If you're still in school, look for internships with student-run projects. These experiences can help you hone your writing skills, collaborate with peers, and understand the production process on a smaller scale.
By seeking out these types of internships, you’ll gain practical experience, build a network of contacts, and develop a clearer understanding of what it takes to succeed as a TV writer.
Beverly Reynolds
Beverly’s Answer
There are often internships available at local newspapers or magazine outlets. It really depends on the type of writing you want to do. I would start by doing an internet search by keyword such as WRITING INTERNSHIP. Sometimes your publications offer the most variety and will allow you do work on stories with experienced editors. You might offer to do free writing for a magazine on a topic that you know a lot about! Try gaining experience with online as well as local writing. Anything that you can do is experience for either a full- or part-time job either now or in the future. I was a stringer writer for the local newspaper and that helped to supplement and looked good on my resume. They paid on a per story basis and helped me with writing and editing. Newspaper writing is rather different in style to online writing. You might also consider writing PPT presentations for experience, but again, your style is different to the publication types.