It's A Horror-able World

Since starting my journey at FANGORIA magazine I have had the opportunity to meet and work with a very talented group of people, learned a tremendous amount about the world of working at a magazine, as well as having my work published on their website www.fangoria.com. The past few months have been filled with a plethora of experiences that are changing my way of thinking, both creatively and scholastically, and  I am growing as both a writer and as a person.

Just another day at the office with my personal
photographer/cousin Sabrina Wilson-Barrett

Still, there is more for me to learn. There have been times throughout the course of  my internship thus far that have proved to be challenging. However I forced myself to dig deep and keep going. I've learned that sometimes one must take a few steps backwards in order to move ahead and though it is important to be persistent, being overly persistent is never a good idea.  

I used to believe that to win the race you had to run as fast as you can.  I now understand that if you don't stop to catch your breath  and re-energize, you'll never make it to the finish line.

The entertainment industry is cut throat, an unforgiving industry is which, more often than not, a successful career is unreachable. One must have thick skin and an insatiable want to succeed: I believe myself to be one of those people. My drive and ambition  to write for FANGORIA as a full time job as well as writing horror movies is the fuel that keeps me focused. The doors that are now opening and the people that I am coming in contact with due to this internship is incalculable. 

With this being my senior year, finally, it has been extremely challenging to maintain my grades, and focus on my internship as well as preparing myself for what happens after graduation.  However, with the help of the professors and staff at school, the wonderful team at FANGORIA, and of course my friends and family, I am confident in saying that I am successfully on my way to achieving my goals; graduating with honors and writing for horror lovers all around the world.

I know now that it is a horror-able world and I'm going to be a part of it.

The Best Intern Ever

For most, starting a new job or an internship, which are one in the same, can be scary and most often intimidating. However, no matter what emotions you may be experiencing it is important to understand that you were chosen for a reason and being the best at what you are doing is very important. Sometimes I say to myself that I am the best and there is nothing that can stand in my way from being the best.  However, I do that for self motivation; to continuously remind myself that it is important to aim for the highest of goals. 

Over the past few months I have had the pleasure of learning a great deal about being an intern, specifically an intern at FANGORIA Magazine.  I’ve come to realize that patience is very important and with patience comes the power of self control and self discovery.  Also, I’ve learned that asking questions can be the difference between standing out in the crowd and simply fading into the background.  Yet, as easy as that may seem to do, for me it was not.  

At first I thought if I were to ask a question or too many questions, I would seem unknowledgeable on the particular subject at hand. Even worse, I feared I would become that annoying intern no one wants to work with. Now, through the guidance of teachers, co-workers, and my editor I understand that asking questions is not only important but necessary to successfully accomplishing the many tasks of which I am assigned.

Though it may seem crazy, I have yet to actually step foot in the office. Right now it is very important that I make a good impression through my ability to stay connected and up-to-date on what is happening at the magazine as well as submitting publishable work.  With that said, I have not had a chance to personally meet any of my co-workers which is also very important during the internship processes.  Within the next few weeks I will be beginning my weekly visits to the office and I am extremely excited to do so. I look forward to meeting all of my co-workers in person as well as even joining in on social events outside of the office.  

There are exciting times ahead and as long as I stay focused on being the best intern I can possibly be I know that I will succeed.  Furthermore, I will do all that I can to uphold the reputation of FANGORIA, be it asking questions, taking on more responsibilities, or constantly showing my dedication to the company. 

FANGORIA: The Beginning of My Journey

FANGORIA, the first in fright since 1979. This most simply written mission statement says it all.  Since its first inception in 1978 as FANTASTICA, FANGORIA has gone through many changes over the year.  With the changes in magazine publications and mass media as a whole, FANGORIA has never lost touch of being the forerunner in bringing genre fans up-to-date information on everything that encompasses the wonderful world of horror. 

I remember being a teenager running to Strawberries, Coconuts, and Sam Goodie, (all record stores now only a memory to some), or Borders and Barnes & Nobles to pick up the newest issue of FANGORIA. It’s funny, I never ordered a subscription because I didn’t want the mail man to bend it, so I would make my parents drive me to those aforementioned stores. Once in the store I grew so excited to see which movies would be featured in that particular months issue.

Instantly I would skim through the pages to get an idea of the many articles, however I would always read the “coming soon” section first.  It was the most exciting part of the magazine; to find out what was hitting the theater in the months to follow, sometimes in the year to follow. As my fingers would guide my eyes through each and every line of every article my heart would race with the anticipation that one day my name, whether I was the interviewer or interviewee, would be printed on those pages.

Now, those memories fuel my desire to be the most successful intern that this magazine has ever had.

It is with great honor that I have been chosen to not only work with such a great team of very talented men and women in the field, but also to be given the opportunity to write for the magazine itself.  I know that my love of horror and my utmost respect that I have for FANGORIA will only help me in providing the first in fright as others have before me.   

This is only the beginning of my journey.  I look forward to what the future has in store for me and it is with the greatest of hope that over the next year great things will be happening.  More to come soon...