I get asked this question nearly every week by younger writers, so I thought I would write up my answer and post it.

Short Version:

You have to have some talent; but you can develop your talent, you aren’t born with it. You also need to have connections. Who you know and what you know are about equally important. 

The Really Long Version:

I started writing completely randomly 11 years ago in a personal blog. It’s only now that I’m actually having some success as a writer. Aside from a few rare prodigies, it takes time and work to get established.

In 2004 I wrote notes about squirrels in my house and a bunch of other things no one really cared about.  Then I met some people that asked me to write about sciencey stuff for their blog.  I wrote a lot of rambling crap, which commenters brutally flogged me for. That helped me get better.

Then some new friends asked me to write for their blogs, and I went to some conferences and met people like me – scientists that were writing, with no safety net, and no real training, just because we liked to write.  They taught me some more stuff.

I also started meeting professional writers, people that were trained and worked as journalists and novelists and authors. They taught me additional stuff.  And I joined a writer’s group of people who were not scientists, and they brutally flogged me for not making sense or not being relevant.

Eventually, I started getting the hang of this writing thing. I developed a large portfolio of material that I could point to that didn’t suck.

An opportunity to apply to write at WIRED came my way, and I thought, “What the hey!? The worst they can do is say no.”  So I applied, and because the science writing community is really connected, WIRED folk asked around about me.  My contacts said, “Yeah, we know Gwen, she’s ok and kind of entertaining.” WIRED looked at my writing and thought I would be a good fit.

They took a chance on me. And I really enjoy working with them. 

And now I can tell you stuff about it, because sometimes who you know is as important as what you know. That is how you learn insider information.

ACTUAL ADVICE PART:

Write a lot.  Editors rarely take a chance on an unknown quantity. If you have a portfolio of good writing – on your own website or elsewhere – that is what an editor will want to see before hiring you. The way to get better at writing is to WRITE.

Tell STORIES if possible. We are narrative animals. If your writing is all facts facts facts, it’s probably also boring boring boring.

Listen a Lot.  Listen to people when they tell you something sucks. Listen when people tell you they liked something. What structurally about your writing made that happen?

Always say “Thank you for that Feedback.”  The people commenting on your writing are helping you. Even if it hurts.  
(This advice is especially true when the feedback is “You write like a 5th grader and you smell funny.” Your classy reply just exposes their Asshattery.)

Take Chances. If you don’t try, you won’t get chosen.
You can find information on how to pitch editors on Twitter and most news websites. Here are WIRED’s editors, for example.  Ask someone that has worked with specific editors in the past who to talk to, and what format they want. 

Remember that everyone is super busy. Try to start emails with “Here’s what I can do for YOU,” not “Here’s what I want you to do for ME.”  

Be as nice as you can to readers. You will meet people online that are the most Wrongy McWrong Person that you ever met on Wrong Planet. As soon as you call them a name, you have lost them. You have already won the argument because SCIENCE.  Lay some truth on them, and walk away.  

I’m not saying you shouldn’t confront people; just advising you to let them own their own emotions and beliefs, even when they are manifestly not connected to any reality in this universe.  No one ever changes their mind when they are being yelled at. 

When one of us wins, we all win. Science writing isn’t a competitive sport. Anytime a great science story goes viral, a science angel gets its wings. There’s too much Bogus BullCrap in the media. Support your peers and promote great writing. Reading their work will make your work better.

Now get back to work. Why aren’t you writing??