Sad, but fairly accurate assessment of Texas Journalism careers.

Spent career working alongside those trying to make it in the business...a very few do succeed but most fail.

Most every junior college and university in Texas has had crowded journalism depts. But a single college program would graduate more journalism majors each year than the entire state had openings for. Sad for the students that failed to research their intended field.

A&M and others have thankfully and responsibly closed and dropped their journalism departments. UT, SMU and others still with many out of work and severely underemployed college graduates need to cut their oversized programs back greatly.

In my previous comments I may have made it seem as though you shouldn't pursue freelance writing in the fishing industry. I am not discouraging you. If you are good, no matter how much competition, you will find opportunities. The best rise to the top through determination and enthusiasm.

I try keep my professional life out of my forum comments (for the most part, I hope) but I am a full-time salaried magazine staffer (outdoor field). My first job out of college was a $6/hour part-time copy editor and writer. I couldn't live on that so I left the industry for a few years and then got back in. I love what I do and wouldn't trade it for anything now. But it was hard financially for nearly 20 years. Now in the last 15 years or so, I have enough income to meet my needs.

Write and practice feature articles but also, think outside the box. Look at how much content hunting and fishing tackle, and marine manufacturers are putting on their websites � more importantly should be putting on their websites. Somebody has to write it and especially edit it. Learn every aspect of the business. (Hint, become a good short-copy writer especially for marketing copy such as promotional material, catalogs, etc.) Once you have experience, you will find paid feature-length articles will come your way.

Oops, sorry for the long post, but I am a writer by trade. LOL.

Thanks, anyone know of any other magazines I could write for?

Thanks everyone

I make a little extra money writing here and there for a couple of magazines and such. Its hard to get a foot in the door but once you do its a way to make some fishing money. I doubt I could make a living at it but I enjoy being invoilved in the industry, I enjoy meeting other anglers and I like getting a check in the mail occasionally for an article or two.

+1

There are a few nuances about writing that you are probably familiar with, but that I would like to pass along:

One of my favorite writers once said, "Writing is like catching a wild horse each morning." For me, that means that one day will differ from another. Sometimes you feel like you're hitting on all eight cylinders. Other times, it doesn't flow as smoothly. This is completely NORMAL - don't let that discourage you.

If you want to become a great writer, drink from (read) a quality piece of work before you set off on your project each day. Norman MacLean wrote A River Runs Through It and his works/style have been an inspiration to many young writers. Remember that a Sage doesn't have to be alive for you to reap great benefits from their work.

Break things into smaller pieces - use small index cards on days when you lack continuity. Oftentimes, this will help you put aside an idea that needs more time to develop.

I've been writing for a long time - albeit in the technical field and even for articles in our church bulletin. I've developed a writing style and I haven't needed a huge vocabulary to convey my ideas. You just need to be very proficient with the words that you have acquired at this stage of the journey.

Also, I wasn't very devoted to English classes in high school. However, I've had people approach me and ask if I ever thought about being a writer. More than anything, this illustrates that your gifts take time to fully develop - I'm 47 years old and even learned how to play the piano in the last two years after being away from music for 30 years. In short, ANYTHING is possible if you stick with it because you love it!

Thanks guys

I'm really not that discouraged honestly

I used to want to go pro tournament fishing, but soon realized I could have the best of both worlds by writing about the pros I wanted to be like and interview them and ask them questions that were on my mind.

I've talked to writers like John Neporadny, Don Barone, Ken Duke, Robert Montgomery, and Terry Battisti and have been doing so since this past summer, and they've all given me feedback and advice along with do's and don'ts- I've come along way since this past June

I'm currently writing articles for Bassin', Crappie World, Bass Angler, Bass Quest, and will soon be writing for Bass East. I'm going to Icast in 2013 as well for Bassin'

I've learned so much from editors such as Mark Lassagne on what a quality picture is for print and what those pictures should contain in them.

I've always wanted to "be my own boss" I'm the type of person where I like to lead instead of being lead.

I just recently got in touch with Tom Leogrande and will be writing articles for his new magazine, Bass Quest, and I have the ability to interview pros like Skeet Reese, Randy Howell, Brent Chapman, and any other elite or FLW pro I want to do an article on.

It sounds like you're doing pretty good to me!

Yes, but I'm trying to be the best I can be

Sounds like you've got it started...did you ever check into this?...

Also, contact North American Fishing magazine, editor-in-chief is Kurt Beckstrom...

he did, he wasnt interested. i figured you gotta start somewhere and find out if people like your material. But now editing this post I see he has put his stuff out there in some magazines. good luck crappieman. keep writing and getting exposure, if its in the cards the Lord has dealt for you, itll happen!

I do appreciate your offer, it's just I've Been told not to write for free anymore

Someone should definatley write this guys story...thief,drug abuser,insurance fraud, how one would sponser this discrase for the human race, is beyond my imagination.