Writer Passes on the Tricks of His Trade

Think of John M. Wilson’s classroom as a small newsroom.

From the outside, it looks like an ordinary classroom filled with chairs, desks and books. But inside his “newsroom,” the UCLA Extension writing instructor teaches techniques for writing magazine and newspaper articles.

It is there that Wilson discusses with students elements such as voice, tone, style and markets. Students looking for markets should let their curiosity guide them in developing ideas, he says.

“They all come to the classroom to find out what kind of writer they want to be, and what they have to do to get there,” said the 48-year-old West Hollywood resident. “They’re the kind of students with enthusiasm and a real commitment to develop their craft that makes teaching such a joy.”

Wilson encourages each student to find his or her writing voice. He says that voices can only develop through practice and a steady expression of words. And for those who want to to make the transition from amateur to professional writer, he advises hard work.

“Talent may be the least important ingredient for success,” he said. “The students who succeed are those who find the discipline to knuckle down and work hard, every day, to become productive, craftsman-like writers.”

Wilson recently published “The Complete Guide to Magazine and Article Writing” which he describes as a “workshop on a shelf.” The book illustrates basic writing techniques and how to identify markets. It is organized similarly to Wilson’s 10-week UCLA class, “Writing Nonfiction for Publication,” intertwining the craft and business aspects of writing. He interviewed 500 newspaper and magazine editors on what they look for from free-lance writers. He also incorporates advice and published examples, some of which are the work of former students.

“I really wanted to write this book (because) I felt I was at the point in my career that I could do it and do it well, he said “It is an important milestone in my writing career.”

Unlike people who work traditional 9-to-5 hours, Wilson has worked for nearly two decades as a free-lance writer. He has written for the New York Times, Writer’s Digest magazine, TV Guide and Fox TV’s weekly series “Code 3,” to name a few.

Wilson said he never had any desire to write until a high school wrestling coach planted a seed. By the age of 19, he was writing for the Daily Breeze in Torrance. He then enrolled at San Diego State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

A few years after college, Wilson said, he was frustrated with Establishment journalism. With a few hundred dollars, he founded and produced South Bay’s “Easy Reader” in the late 1960s, a publication that he felt offered alternative voices. Although he has long since left the paper to pursue other writing projects, he has discovered that teaching has rejuvenated his love of the profession.

“Teaching is a very important part of keeping me going as a writer,” he said. “It forces me in a sense to bring my standards back up.”

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Century City resident Linda DeAngelo Kelly has been named the first holder of the Kenneth King Stonier Chair in business administration at USC.

DeAngelo, a graduate of USC, earned a master’s degree in accounting at the University of Oregon and a Ph.D. from the University of Washington.

DeAngelo’s research interests include accounting choice and financial reporting strategy.

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The Rotary Club of Westchester awarded scholarships to Loyola Marymount brother-and-sister graduates Michael and Mary Keenan.

The scholarships fund a year of study abroad. Michael plans to study international marketing at the European University in Paris and Mary plans to study international relations in Costa Rica.

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Cedars-Sinai Medical Center will give its “Heart of Gold” award to W. J. Sanders III, chairman of the board and chief executive officer for Advanced Micro Devices.

He will be honored at a dinner Oct. 23 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

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Earle Herbert has been honored by Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity as its nationwide fall 1993 pledge class namesake.

Herbert, a member of the service organization for more than four decades, has served as a volunteer and a member of the organization’s national board of directors. The Palms resident was cited as a role model for effective leadership and unselfish service to others.

A graduate of UCLA, Herbert is a surgical services administrative officer at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in West Los Angeles.

Psychiatrist Champion K. Teutsch was appointed chairman of the board of the newly formed International Human Research Center “Sunray” in Moscow.

Teutsch, an expert in psycho-genetics, is known for his approach: “Conscious Revolution, Assertiveness Training and Human Potential Movements.” He will train and certify Russian professionals.

He lives in Century City.