Writing Tips Archives - Linda Jenkins

OUT NOW: Romance and Weddings

February 7, 2016

My latest article, 2016 Northwest Wedding Trends, is out now in the January/February issue of 425 Magazine and the February/March issue of South Sound Magazine.

2016 Northwest Wedding Trends in 425 Magazine. The photo in the magazine is by Jon Anderson.

As a writer, I’m drawn to wedding stories for lots of reasons. Nowadays it can seem like a very brave thing to surrender to a belief in lasting romance. The contrast of new and old ideas is a hallmark of modern wedding stories. I’m also fascinated by rituals and tradition, and beautiful things catch my eye as much as anyone. Weddings are a show of creativity, individuality, and of course, love. Here in the Northwest, our natural beauty often has a starring role.

I’ve been married a while, which makes it fun to cover weddings and see what’s new and fresh out there. There is a skill to gathering up and telling a story from someone else’s viewpoint, with mostly their needs in mind. As always, I was thinking of my own experiences when I was writing, but here I was picturing the reader most of all.

Check it out now.

OUT NOW: Sweet Scents. Or, where does inspiration come from?

October 6, 2015

My latest article, Sweet Scents: Des Moines Mom Makes Emily’s Handmade Soaps, is out now in the October/November issue of South Sound Magazine. The story is about a soap maker in Des Moines, Washington.

South Sound Magazine, October/November 2015. The cover illustration is by Chandler O’Leary of Anagram Press.

When young people ask me about writing, one of the questions is always about finding inspiration.

For freelance writing, my inspiration comes from many places. I read 30 or more books a month. I subscribe to over 25 magazines and I read every article about travel, lifestyle, home, and small business I find. I study the ads to learn about the market. My social media time is about gathering story ideas and following trends. I’ve been writing long enough to get insider information from tourism and public relations professionals and I love hearing from entrepreneurs and innovators.

Then there’s my idea for this latest story. It’s about Emily’s Handmade Soaps, a local mom entrepreneur making natural soaps in her home. Emily is a friend of my sister. The story’s farmer’s market setting with its sights, sounds, and smells inspired me. Plus, I’m just drawn to creativity and the chutzpah it takes to make a business out of it.

Et voilà. Inspiration.

#AmReading: This week’s highlights in books and magazines

August 20, 2015

As a freelance writer, I love nearing the end of the month because the new magazines come out. September in the world of magazines is a big month, with big issues and lots of fresh content and ideas.

I’m also studying the book world. I’m focused on learning the industry, getting better at my craft, reading and learning from the best and most talented writers in the Northwest and beyond.

These are my #amreading highlights this week:

Portland Monthly Magazine, September issue. Portland means food in the travel writing world and I’m loving Portland Monthly‘s new food issue. My friends in #PDX have so much fun eating out, celebrating the success of small food and drink businesses in the capitol of weird, fun food.

The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac: A Novel by Sharma Shields. Sometimes you read something and you want to quit writing because you may never be that good. This book is like that. It’s by a Spokane, Washington, writer, and I’m having so much fun suspending my disbelief, being scared, disturbed, and laughing.

The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master by Martha Alderson. This book has great tips about getting organized to write your best story, finding the key elements of a plot, and getting motivated to get to work writing. The writer’s “Universal Story” is something that I’ve always believed in, too.

What are you reading this week? Leave a comment and let us know.