Newbie question

[matbur]

Hi,

I just want to get some advice really. I've been quite fortunate as I've pretty much fallen into getting some freelance work as a second income. I've not trained to become a journalist and am pretty much self-taught (which has been both a good and bad thing for me).

The latest work I've been offered is on a 'per story' basis. I haven't been told much else but how do you expect they would want the info submitted?

Would they want a written artice for me, or just an email outlining the info I have with any other relative details for a sub-editor or something?

Sorry if this sounds woefully amateur but your help is greatly appreciated.

Hopefully someone can shed some light!

Thanks.

[lee_stevens]

Hi,

I can't really make sense of what you're asking, but you'll  be given a brief to follow by the person whose commissioned you. (Usually an editor.) If anything is unclear, ask them to clarify it. DON'T risk taking chances. If you get it wrong, you may not get another commission from them.

[lyte86]

Hello mate

As Lee says, you should really check this with them.  If you really screw up your first job, you probably won't commissioned again.  Though you've not said what type of publication you're writing for, or in what capacity, it would be quite unusual for any journalist to not actually write their own articles*.  In exceptional circumstances, my editor has allowed me to file, say, raw quotes and a few other jumbled facts - and then let someone in the office knock it into shape.  That only really works if you're out and about, time is of the essence, and it's wholly impractical for you to do it yourself.

*Except celeb columnists, almost none of whom write their own stuff.