Starting a Magazine

Open Magazine has been in my head for over ten years now and it's weird, scary and uplifting finally taking the plunge and doing it. Of course, a lot has happened in that time in my own life, so that reflects on how Open is now. When I was a jobbing actress I wanted a magazine that was pretty to look at, engaging and a good networking forum. And now that idea has evolved into something covering all the arts that is accessible, stylish and relevant.
Sometimes I wonder if I must be bonkers putting this together when I've got a two- year- old to look after, but then again, it's her that gave me the inspiration to finally do it. I left my staff journalist job to be with her full time, and I thought that if I'm going to do something for myself, then it'll be what I really love. Something that I've thought about in all those spaces in between getting on with life ( not many these days, it has to be said.) The persistent niggle that won't go away I guess. And the other thing I thought was, " if not now, when?"
The world of arts and culture can often seem quite worthy and fusty, full of people who know loads about obscure writers or the finer points of Classicism. Or, folk who are totally the other way and a bit too cool for school , and make lots of sneery remarks if you don't know every member of Good Charlotte's birthday ( and their starsign.)
So.... I hope to make the arts fun, which may sound daft and like I don't get it but I've found that it's almost never the artists themselves that reckon only a certain select few should be allowed to see/hear/read what they're up to. And then pontificate about it.
Also, I include popular culture because it isn't the chavvy cousin of high art that's tolerated with an indulgent smile, but actually an intrinsic part of how we live. And it crosses over more and more with theatre, dance, art etc. Now I'm sounding all worthy.
I have a thousand things to do for Open this week : upload more content, go to a press view, sort out an interview, sort out the next fashion shoot. The last is what always takes the longest, but, funnily, once that's done it actually inspires me for all the other sections.
Will , somewhere along the way, try and get a haircut as am resembling Worzel Gummidge.