Dan Brownell with Todays Living Magazine is one of our Across the Miles Editors. You will have the opportunity at the conference to sign up and visit with Dan through Zoom about their publishing needs and how your writing might fit in their publication. Visit the Meet the Editor page to learn more.
We asked Dan a few questions to help you get to know him better.
Dan Brownell How do you deal with writer’s block? In magazine publishing, the pace is much too fast to have the luxury of writer’s block. I edit several magazines, so I work on multiple articles and issues simultaneously. So I just write – period. No stalling. But then, all my writing and editing is nonfiction, which is topical and fairly straightforward. Fiction writing is a much more creative process, and since I don’t write fiction, I can’t speak to writer’s block in that genre. For me, the most challenging and time-consuming part of writing isn’t brainstorming but revision. I typically revise at least a dozen times before I’m satisfied. Even for full-time professional writers and editors, writing doesn’t flow off the fingertips perfectly composed in the first draft. The secret to writing is rewriting, rewriting, and more rewriting.
What crazy/embarrassing/funny thing happened to you at a writers conference or while pulling your manuscript together. I once misspelled a person’s last name on the working draft of an issue cover. I very rarely misspell names, but this name was an unusual one, and I simply mistyped it. Fortunately, we have a thorough proofing process involving multiple editors, and another editor caught the mistake before it went to the printer. Needless to say, I thanked him profusely. Never underestimate the value of having other people proofread your work.
What is your favorite part of a writing conference? It’s hard to pin down a single favorite part. I enjoy meeting and getting to know writers and fellow editors. Networking is an invaluable part of attending conferences. I love the classes too. I take every opportunity to hone my skills, and I learn something from every class I attend.