So my name’s David, and I go to Butte College in California (Nor-Cal). It’s a small community college that happens to have a budding Literary Arts Journal. They run a website as a starting ground, and that’s what they use to publish their articles. Recently I’ve been co-opted into producing a monthly article for them. There’s no limitations I know of yet, and you’d think having an entire month to prepare would be plenty of time to come up with something... not really. I’m running into various mental hang-ups.
First, subjects. What kind’s of posts would members here be interested in, and for those of you who write for litreactor’s magazine, how do you come up with ideas?
Second, since I’m not published, and since I’m still on my way to getting a degree, I’m having trouble presenting myself as an authority on writing. The fact is I’m an amateur. I want to keep improving my skills as a writer, but I’m not certain my opinions and processes will be something of value to other budding authors. Do I need to present myself as an authority on writing, or is there another way to do it?
Any insights would be helpful.
thanks,
David
Anyone reading the journal would understand that it is produced by students, right? So don't worry too much.
In general, while I don't think anyone should pretend to be an authority (unless it's for satirical purposes or something), people should say what they think in a manner commensurate with how they think it, and they should also be willing to confront the possibility that they are wrong.
You see a lot of half-assed critique (often just mere disagreement) which amounts to nothing more than "Why should I listen to you?" rather than dealing with the actual statements in question. Some people will act that way towards anyone, from amateurs up through experts, regardless of credentials.
Regarding what you should write about, I don't have any advice. My interests are pretty eccentric.
