h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hey-I'm a 16-year old girl from TN. I'm really interesting in Journalism, and writing in general. Any Suggestions in getting started, or what to do to prepare myself for the world of writing and college in general? When you have time I would love to hear from you.


-Bethany

Hey there

It's only fairly recently I've become interested in Journalism myself - when I first started at university, it was to do a Chemistry course. I've only just finished my first year at uni, so I don't really feel like I'm able to give much advice. The advice I would offer is fairly self-evident:

*Read a lot, and on lots of different subjects, from classic literature to today's newspapers. I find that this not only helps increase my general knowledge, but I pick up writing techniques without noticing.
*Although I'm doing a specific Journalism degree, you don't need to do this to go into journalism. I'm not sure about the US, but here in the UK, you don't even need a degree. Experience tends to be more sought-after than academic experience.
*h2g2 is a good place to help hone your skills. You're not working to any deadlines, and you can write about whatever you want. There are a links to the four entries I've written myself on my page, as an example, and hundreds more edited entries in the guide itself
*Whenever writing, the best test that I use is to read whatever you have out loud. Any mistakes or clumsiness become apparent, and you can make your writing sharper. Maybe

Hope you like it here - everybody's pretty friendly, and approachable. Good luck with the writing, too!

Thanks so much for your help! I will definetly use it. C-ya