Tips From Samatha Duclouz Waltz on Writing Personal Essays for Publication

Ashleigh’s Notes

By Ashleigh Rousselle

2008-2009 NAS Intern

• Essay anthologies are mostly published by themes. Fit the market to break in.
• Practice finding your voice, but still fit the needs of the market.
• Market research is always a good idea. Before submitting ask for writer’s guidelines and get the name of the editor.
• Working with editors is all about good relations. Be easy to work with.
• In your writing, be specific, pick a topic, and really zoom in on it.
• Answering a question, or having a prompt, can help to keep your writing focused on a topic.
• Start with a hook to capture the reader’s attention and keep it.
• Know where the story is going. Have a beginning, middle, and end.
• Layer your story. Go back in rewrites and utilize the 5 senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.
• Write something and then let it sit a few days before you review it.
• Get other people to read your work. Start a writing group if you need one.
• Keep meticulous records of ideas, and always back up your work.