Help. Writing magazine articles

[dampfpanzerwagon]

Help.

Can you help? I am asking for advice about magazine articles and how readers feel about magazine articles that stretch over two issues, for example part one - construction and then in the following months issue part two - painting. I am asking for comments as I am in the process of constructing and then writing about a larger model  that I feel need to be spread over two issues. Any comments would be appreciated.



Please see the Blog for more details.

Tony
http://dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-question-for-my-blog-followersreaders.html

[Dice Roller]

The person you should be asking is the editor.

[zemjw]

If it's a magazine I subscribe to, then multi-part isn't a problem.

However, if it's one I only see a few times a year in a shop, then I might (or might not) pick it up if it's part one, but will most likely skip it if it's part two. There are exceptions to this rule, but that will very much depend on the article.

Magazines that make a habit of having multi-part articles are magazines I tend to avoid

But, yeah, as Dice Roller mentioned, checking magazine policy is probably the best place to start.

[ced1106]

I think it's fine.

You'd need some way for non-subscribers who picked up part 2 to "not need" part 1. Or you could put part 1 on the website when part 2 comes out? Constructing and painting are different enough that two parts would make sense.

[mikedemana]

My Journalism teacher's best advice that has stuck with me for more than 40 years:

"There's no such thing as good writing -- only good re-writing!"

The more chance you give yourself to tighten up and tweak your initial word vomit, the more it will flow and be an enjoyable read. That said, I'm not sure this is the advice you were asking for...ha, ha!

Mike Demana

[carlos marighela]

It really is an editorial decision. What punters typically fail to recognise is that content is there to fill in the gaps between ads, not the other way around. Formatting the article in a manner that allows for either would be ideal and Mike's comments are spot on.

Of course, if it is going to be a two parter, it doesn't hurt to have a teaser built in. For example:

'In next month's edition we look at the painting of the model as well as revealing the whereabouts of Lord Lucan'. 

[Pattus Magnus]

Splitting into two parts covering construction then painting makes the most sense to me- each has something to contribute independently of the other.

[dampfpanzerwagon]

Thank you for the comments. They have been a great help.

[dampfpanzerwagon]

My Journalism teacher's best advice that has stuck with me for more than 40 years:

"There's no such thing as good writing -- only good re-writing!"

The more chance you give yourself to tighten up and tweak your initial word vomit, the more it will flow and be an enjoyable read. That said, I'm not sure this is the advice you were asking for...ha, ha!

Mike Demana

Thank you. Very good advice.

[Cubs]

It really is an editorial decision.

What he said. Sometimes there's a gap for a 1,000 word article with photos, sometimes there's a gap for a 3,000 word article with photos. It's all down to what the theme and needs of that issue are.