I was a 7-year-old little girl sitting around a kitchen table with a half-working typewriter, and I always remember the black and red ink running out before I wanted it to. I may have never completed the stories I started. As someone over 40, I still feel a passion for writing, just as I did when I was that little girl using a typewriter.
Before I decided to sign up for The Professional Freelance Journalism Course, procrastination was my biggest enemy. I started the course three months ago, and I’m now one assignment away from completing it. In a nutshell, it has been absolutely life-changing for me.
I appreciated the introduction at the beginning of the course, which included all team members, their roles, and contact emails for support if needed. This gave me great confidence; although it was all online, I had a network of real people available if and when I needed them.
Upon receiving course material weekly, I found it very easy to access and print, which significantly aided the learning process. The tutorials' reading material has been precise and well-written, enabling readers to gain a good understanding. I have learnt so much in a short space of time. I thought I could only gain this level of knowledge and qualification from a long university course.
I now understand that there are many different types of articles, from feature articles to profiles and many more, but all have one common trait: the what, when, and where must all be addressed within the article. It challenges your writing and is very thought-provoking.
The knowledge provided on how to pitch to an editor and structure an email has given me the tools and reassurance that I now know how to communicate this with confidence. This led me to take an opportunity from a local VE Day event and turn it into an idea. I pitched it to my local newspaper, which accepted it and published a feature story a few days ago, complete with 500 words and accompanying photographs.
I have significantly benefited from this course, as it has helped break the cycle of procrastination. When opportunities arise, people I meet want to share their stories and be heard. To give someone a voice, share encouragement, or join in celebrations means putting in the hard work and bringing words, visions, environments, and colour alive in writing and photographs for all to see and hear.
What I loved most about the journalism course is that I now have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to start a new chapter in my life. As a freelance journalist, this will enable me to express my heart and love for people through my writing. Thank you so much to the British College of Journalism.
