Course Topic: There's More to Writing than Words (6/96)
Instructor: Arlene Chandler
The tools of the trade of the writer today should include a computer, word processor, etc., a dictionary and thesaurus, and one or more of the market guides for writing. These run the whole gamut from children's to inspirational guides and are often available in local libraries. There are correspondence schools for aspiring writers, and the Writer's Digest has a school with different courses, from articles to novels, and qualified instructors. Community colleges will often also offer writing courses.
Where do the ideas come from? From the outside, the things we see and do, and from the inside, when your imagination interacts with your outside experiences. From magazines and newspapers. Human interest stories will often offer background information and ideas for articles. You can glean interesting names and characters, and descriptions and phrases to be saved for future reference. Keep a scrapbook of these clippings.
WHAT and IF are the two most important words for a writer.
When you get an idea, how do you know if it has story potential? Write what you know, about things that matter enormously to you. However, don't be too personal. You want to involve other readers. Have an opening, a specific middle and a solid conclusion.
The 8 easiest articleto write are:
1. The Personal experience article
2. The Profile article
3. The Inspirational article
4. The How To article
5. The Nostalgia article
6. The Travel article
7. Think and humor articles
8. The mini article.
Each of these (and others) should share the following characteristics.
- The Lead In should contain a few short sentences to grab the attention of the reader.
- You should know why you are writing what you are writing, and what you expect to accomplish.
- Have back-up information, authoritative quotes, interviews, and statistics when appropriate.
- Use transition sentences. For example, "Another aspect of the problem is.." or "According to the last survey"
- Summarize what has been said. Use quotes.
Use concrete language in your writing. Stay away from general words like "pretty", "good" or "beautiful", which convey little. Build a word picture. Avoid vague words like "seems", "appears" "rather", or "much". Use specific titles. Call a person what he or she is, a "priest", not a "man".
Shorter is better. [How's that?] There is a developing market for pieces of 100-500 words, and some children's books have as few as 800 words in the entire story. A page with nothing but text is a turn-off to the average reader.
Short paragraphs seem easier to read. [I think I'm getting it...]
Show, don't tell. Give movement and action -- use scenes. There will be some need for telling, but there must be action. Example: "She was angry" versus "She slammed the door so hard the hinges shook -- and then kicked it for good measure".
How do you get published? Write the editor of the magazine in which you wish to publish to tell him or her about your idea Learn whether it has already been done, or is "in the works". Always follow publishers guidelines. And when writing your inquiry, remember this letter is a sample of your writing. Perhaps start your letter with the lead from your article. Be neat, grammatical and professional. Reveal your style, sources when appropriate, and photographs. Be sure to include a stamped, self addressed envelope.
Read everything you can -- critically. Listen to writers and editors. Ask questions and practice.
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