A Conversation With Elfrieda Abbe

[robert_allen]

A skilled book and film reviewer, she also founded a magazine about women working in film and video. Elfrieda spoke with us about how she got her start as a journalist and the greatest challenge she faces in running The Writer. She also gives some great tips for freelancers.

What did you like to read when you were a little girl?

I loved Marguerite Henry books about horses: Born to Trot, Black Gold, Misty of Chincoteague. I also read Nancy Drew mysteries. Loved Charlotte's Web, Wind in the Willows, Robert Lewis Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses. Mostly classic children's stories.

What was the first freelance piece you sold? How did that sale come about?

I wrote a piece about a coffeehouse called Amazing Grace on the Northwestern University campus that was run by a commune of students. One of the students took care of my kids. They brought in folk singers, such as Odetta and John Prine, from all over the country. I wrote it without an assignment and sold it to the entertainment section of the Chicago Daily News. I think I still have the note from the editor. I got paid $75.

How did you get your start in journalism? What led to your selection as the editor of the award-winning arts and entertainment section of the Milwaukee Sentinel?

I started by freelancing. After I sold my first piece I sold others to the Chicago newspapers, the Tribune Sunday magazine and Chicago magazine. Then, I got some assignments from the editor of three or four trade and professional journals. Doing this work, I learned how to be resourceful, check facts, meet deadlines, find the story, etc. This was basically my journalism training. I majored in English literature in college and swear by a liberal arts education. By the time I wanted a full-time job, I had quite a lot of experience. My first newspaper job was for a chain of weekly papers -- Pioneer Press -- in the Chicago area. I was editor of the Home section and about 15 special sections. From there I moved to the Sentinel, where I was the assistant editor of the Home pages. All the while I had my eye on moving into arts and entertainment because that was my interest. I became editor of the Home section, but also wrote when I could for the A&E pages. So, when the opening for an assistant editor on the weekly came up, I applied and was thrilled to get it. After three years, the editor moved on and I moved into the editor's spot. What this taught me was that it helps to be ready and have the right skills when opportunities come up.


Regards
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