Feedback Would be Really Appreciated.

[crouch71]

Hi everyone,

I have just left the cosseting blanket of education and have stepped into the cold real world! I have just created a website that I have uploaded a few articles to that I wrote. If anyone would be kind enough to take a look and say what you think it would be really helpful. Good or bad! At the moment I know it needs more pictures so when funds allow a decent camera shall be bought! Any ideas for features to write about or useful people to contact would also be really appreciated.

Thank you for taking time to have a look.

http://www.tcrouch.com/

[CraigyMc]

Grammatical and spelling mistakes aside, I dislike a lot of the content.

examples:
"When you think of a Mazda MX5 you don’t think of out and out power" - I do, but I've got a friend with a 350ci v8 mx-5.

"the spectators, can show off just by turning up to the race" - I certainly am not showing off by turning up at Spa at 5am to get a good spot.

Sorry. I did spend some time reading this but I don't think it's up to the sort of standard where I'd spend my time perusing it: this may just be a subjective thing on my part, but I assume others will feel similar.

Motor articles should be funny where possible: you're writing entertainment. Have a read of Jalopnik for some examples of the sort of thing I like.

C

Edited by CraigyMc on Monday 8th August 19:00

[Matt UK]

Hi and welcome to PH

I read through the MX5 article and liked it

What's the plan - are you looking for a career in writing and this is a showcase? Looking to turn this into a commercial site with advertising etc?

Good effort on actually getting out there and doing something. maybe send links to the sub-eds on the motoring mags / websites. Never know, one might give you a new car for the afternoon and invite you to do a write up for them!

Good luck!

[crouch71]

Wow thanks for the quick reply!

In terms of the mx5 article thanks for the response, I was a student of engineering, not english, so I am trying to write as much as possible to iron out the mistakes and improve, and I'm not looking to turn the site into a money making machine its just a place to display my work. At the moment I am completely open to what happens next. Probably going to approach to local papers in my area and see what they have to say. In terms of making a career out of this it's to early to say really. It's just something that I really enjoy doing.

[TimmyWimmyWoo]

If you're serious about doing journalism as a career, it's a good idea to do a postgrad journalism course. Look for an NCTJ-accredited magazine course – they're usually about 19 weeks full time, and will teach you how to really write. Not being harsh, but I did an English degree, wrote for student newspapers etc. but my writing really only reached a truly publishable standard once I'd done the course. Writing well for magazines and websites isn't as easy as it looks! The hardest thing to put into practise is keeping it simple…

Anywho, let me know if you've any more questions, I've been doing journalism for 3 long years now and wouldn't rather be doing anything else! Well, not much else…

[Nick3point2]

crouch71 said:

I was a student of engineering, not english,
...........In terms of making a career out of this it's to early to say really. It's just something that I really enjoy doing.

Spell check doesn't require and English degree.... And if you can't proof read, or use spell check, I can guarantee there isn't a (good/successful) career to be made in journalism.

[MagicalTrevor]

Nick3point2 said:

Spell check doesn't require and English degree....

I know you did that just for giggles

[vrsmxtb]

Just keep doing what you're doing - the more you write the better you get and you'll find your own style and voice. I do a similar thing with film reviews, no aspirations to become a critic or journo but love doing it for fun and to remember films better.