Fabulous Fridays: 18 May 2012

 Oops, slinking in just past curfew, it's Fabulous Friday (ahem, Saturday)!

• I've joined Pinterest and have been madly pinning to my Fave Magazines and Cupcake Porn boards. Come say hello. : )
• Want to write for brands' web sites and marketing materials? Here's how to get started as a copywriter.
• Would you wear scratch 'n' sniff jeans? I totally would!
• Be a babydoll with attitude, wearing this spiked headband.
• Obsessed with The Hunger Games like me? Check out this fan site.
• Seriously for a second: Bush may no longer be US president, but plenty of leaders should be listen to my all-time favourite Pink song.
• Adore colourful and quirky online mag, Rue.
• Be your own agent for your blog and get it mentioned in magazines and other media. Hope it works. : )
• Crepes: a filling, slimming alternative to heavier carbs, as I've discovered -- try these on for size.
• There's been some musical chairs in the Aussie luxury fashion mag editor offices this week.
• Valley of Dolls purse by Alannah Hill. Do want!

May your weekend be filled with fashion, feathers and frills. ; )

Magazine Guide #24: Diabetic Living

Publication: Diabetic Living
How Often Does It Come Out: Six issues a year
Distribution: National

Contributors vs Staff Writers: Difficult to work out due to the lack of bylines. The contributors page seems to indicate an even spread, but several contributors are experts (dieticians, doctors etc) as well as writers.

Target Audience:
Age: 25+
Gender: Male and female.
Interests: Various aspects of living with diabetes such as exercise, food, lifestyle, weight and wellbeing.

Topics and Themes:
Articles include "Why Sexual Healing Can Save Your Life", "10 Good Things About Having Diabetes", "Play Your Social Cards Right" and "Happy Feet". Topics help readers with different aspects of life with diabetes at various ages and catering to all types of diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, gestational, etc). Readers are offered advice to shed kilos, increase fitness, avoid diabetes complications, make healthy food choices, blend diabetes seamlessly into their lives and stay happy in their relationships.

Length of Features:
Previously 1,000-2,000 words, but now looking for more short, snappy articles under 1,000 words.

Tone and Style of Writing:
Lists, breakout boxes, subheadings and introductions up to 100 words are all popular. The mag also favours cut-out-and-keep guides, "good, better, best" comparisons and dot points with recommended actions (eg buy, eat, try, etc). The tone is positive and active, with common diabetes terms abbreviated (eg BGL = blood glucose level). Experts such as endocrinologists, exercise physiologists and diabetes educators are quoted in articles..

About How Many Features:
Apart from regular columns, first-person accounts, recipe pages and Q&As with experts, around 8 features.

Fabulous Fridays: 11 May 2012

Let's celebrate the impending weekend with links you'll love...

• Blog for ballet tragics like me: Tendus Under a Palm Tree. I especially wanna try the recipes to get a dancer's body. Love!
• Delightfully pretty fashion illustrations by Anna Bours.
• The sweetest little handbag ever.
• Mollie Makes magazine provides a nifty tutorial for making your own rubber stamp.
• New online magazine crush: Cupcake. Very, very tasty.
• Going by the sheer genius of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, I'm sure upcoming movie The World's End will be a must-see. Can't wait. : )
• Cute coloured Blu-Tack art.
• Another reason to visit France: see-through igloo accommodation. Looks cosy.
• Step back in time with some vintage Vogue.
• Oh my goodness, this is on my bucket list!! A few replays of this video and I'm sure I'll be able to cross it off: how to pick a lock.
• The tiny man with the falsetto voice wishes you a happy Friday!

Wishing you glitter, sunshine and romance until next week! xx

Sports Words for Writers

Writing on sports? Hit a home run with these words and phrases.

Team, coach, selection panel, field, court, stadium, net, goal, behind, umpire, captain, hockey, football, uniform, bench, winner, runner-up, tennis, doubles, singles, grandslam, championship, tournament, circuit, match, game, racquet, strings, tension, media conference, soccer, volleyball, spike, set, dig, knee pads, bat, box, pitch, base, runner, baseball, globe, mitt, catcher, dug out, fielder, baton, relya, medley, swimming, podium, training, drug testing, physiotherapist, cheating, match-fixing, victory, glory, MVP (most valuable player), goggles, driver, Formula One, grand prix, track, arena, velodrome, lose, defeated, draw, lead, interchange, defiant, charge, dominant, fightback, thriller, hoodoo, round robin, sudden-death, knockout, tipping, nil, deuce, advantage, love, line-up, league, fixture, score, ahead, tie, drawer, highlights, wicket, charge, points, masters, retire, injury, triumphs, battle, dash, scrappy, rebound, recuperate, bye, test, bowler, play, rain delay, luck, skill, crucial, vital, opener, dismissal, innings, sitter, spinner, average, statistics, rules, contest, racing, protest, penalty, speed, crowd, grandstand, torpedo, handball, kick, behind, season, finals, tackle, rugby, scrum, try, smother, spoil, debut, rookie, contender, star, legend, medal, awards ceremony, squad, competitive, sportsmanship, spirit, result, dunk, forward, offense, defense, challenge, dynamic, centre, world cup, crush, annihilate, derby, replay, half-time, cheerleaders, possession, form, heaveyweight, Olympic Games, sponsorship, basketball, cycling, netball, paralympics, home game, away game, premiership, reigning, talent, referee, judge, perfect, flawless, gymnastics, rhythmic, floor, beam, uneven bars, vault, cartwheel, pike, somersault, handstand, diving, platform, pool, officiating, squash, badminton, shuttlecock, supporters, members.

Be an MVP and a team player by suggesting any words I've missed. : )

I'm on the Contributors Page!

It's my first ever appearance on a contributors page, in the May/June issue of Diabetic Living magazine! : )

As you may have guessed, I added the hearts, just to look extra special. Here's a close-up of what I wrote for my blurb...

It only took me about 5 minutes to write. You may be able to tell. ; ) Oh, and if you want to check out the email I wrote to the mag to score this writing gig in the first place, here it is.

It really is a dream come true to be on a contributors page. I grew up reading this page first whenever I bought a magazine, hoping to glean insights into becoming a writer and working for the (ahem) glamorous world of glossies.

Do you ever read the contributors page (please say yes!)? Which page of your favourite mag do you flick to first?