Ellis's Writing Tips
Below are a few quick notes on writing articles. You may already know most of this. It's just a method that's evolved for me.
1. Come up with an angle. For instance, 2017 is the 50th anniversary of Nereids and I'm planning on making it a January "Talk of the Town" piece. While the 50th anniversary in itself is noteworthy, it's mushy, not hugely exciting. We'll be doing a piece about the generational aspect of the krewe - focusing on mothers, daughters and granddaughters, showing how it's become a family tradition that they pass on. The angle gives it more punch and allows room for more personal stories.
2. Research past articles, (Shoofly archives, elsewhere on net), websites, etc. Copy any material or info you think you might want to include in the article and paste it onto a word doc - this will be your worksheet/notes. Copy and paste the link and put it beside the info/quote. You'll need that to provide a reference if it's not general info that you're going to completely rewrite. This shouldn't take more than 15 - 30 minutes tops.
3. Determine who is the best interview resource.
4. Write down your basic questions on your worksheet. Others will naturally arise out of the interview.
4. Schedule an interview. When you first get through to them, say you're calling to schedule an interview time. If they're a source for the story and you want to get a few quotes and delve into their connection a bit, it'll take about 15 - 20 minutes and can be done on a phone. If they are the subject of the piece, you'll want to do the interview in person. Schedule an hour - an hour and a half for an f2f interview (although less will probably be required). Tell the interviewee how long you're expecting it to take.
If they're a source and say they have time to talk then, GO FOR IT, right then.
Type your notes into your computer on the worksheet which you have already saved and labeled. Start with the correct spelling of their name and if appropriate, their official job title.
If you know your angle and have a good overview understanding of the topic, it'll flow like a good conversation, you'll know what questions you want to ask.
You can record if you type slowly, but you'll have to go back later and transcribe, which can be time-consuming. The Notability app for Apple (and sure there are similar ones for PCs) allows you to record the interview AND take notes. When you tap your note later, it takes you back to that particular spot in the recording.
If you're typing and someone says something you KNOW you'll want to use later, switch to all caps.
5. Afterward, review the interview and research sheet. Highlight comments and/or info in the notes that are important to the story. Don't be afraid to change angles or theme at this point if you've unearthed new info in the research and interview process. Ideally, between research and interview, you'll have about an hour of time to two-hours of time in.
6. Come up with the opening. It should reflect your angle or theme. I usually think of the openings after I've done the interview and research, when I'm in the shower or walking the dog (go figure). Then when I actually sit down to write it's there for me. FOR ME, it's harder to think of the opening when I’m sitting at the computer facing a blank page. Suddenly, the toilet needs to be cleaned.
If it's a straight news piece, then the basic info should go in first paragraph - who, what, why, when. But usually for the Shoofly, we're doing a feature. To grab attention on the internet, the hook is crucial, something that raises curiosity and delight in the first few lines. For instance, an opening about the Bay-tique shop could have started:
"Jane Alford, owner of Bay-tique apparel shop on Main Street, recently announced that the shop has a new tagline: Slightly Edgy, Always Fun."
Here's how it actually opened:
"Slightly Edgy, Always Fun."
It’s the new tag line for one of Bay St. Louis’s most popular shops - Bay-tique - and fits as perfectly as your favorite jeans.
The boutique is the baby of Jane Alford, who also owns the Carroll House Bed and Breakfast in Old Town..."
7. Write the article body. Once you get the opening down, the other stuff should flow naturally and quickly if you refer back to your notes and quotes. When you use a quote or information from your sheet, change the highlight color so you'll know to ignore it on your next pass. Use short paragraphs. Keep in mind that about half of Shoofly readers are seeing it on a mobile phone or tablet. Long paragraphs intimidate and encourage people to drop off.
8. Ideally, the ending should wrap up with a satisfying conclusion, if possible, touching back on the opening theme. Feel free to give links, for more info, etc.
Actual writing time depends on length of article and how much coffee you've had. Most people average two hours to four hours for a solid draft. (for instance features averaging about 1500 words take me 3- 4 hours, while a short news story - 600 - 800 words and not as creative - generally take me only an hour or so. Of course, everyone's different.
9. If possible, let the article sit for a few days without looking at it. Then review and make changes that it needs. No matter how happy you were when you finished, you'll probably find lots of ways to improve. 15 - 30 minutes.
10. Run the draft by your interviewee to fact check. I always tell them this in advance when I'm doing the interview: "When I'm through writing the draft, I'll call you back for a fact check. It's very simple and fast. I'll just read it to you over the phone and make corrections on the spot."
When you do call them back, say "We'll make this really fast. I'll read it aloud to you and just interrupt me if something needs correction. I'll fix it right then and we'll move on. OK?" That takes about 5 - 10 minutes.
1. Come up with an angle. For instance, 2017 is the 50th anniversary of Nereids and I'm planning on making it a January "Talk of the Town" piece. While the 50th anniversary in itself is noteworthy, it's mushy, not hugely exciting. We'll be doing a piece about the generational aspect of the krewe - focusing on mothers, daughters and granddaughters, showing how it's become a family tradition that they pass on. The angle gives it more punch and allows room for more personal stories.
2. Research past articles, (Shoofly archives, elsewhere on net), websites, etc. Copy any material or info you think you might want to include in the article and paste it onto a word doc - this will be your worksheet/notes. Copy and paste the link and put it beside the info/quote. You'll need that to provide a reference if it's not general info that you're going to completely rewrite. This shouldn't take more than 15 - 30 minutes tops.
3. Determine who is the best interview resource.
4. Write down your basic questions on your worksheet. Others will naturally arise out of the interview.
4. Schedule an interview. When you first get through to them, say you're calling to schedule an interview time. If they're a source for the story and you want to get a few quotes and delve into their connection a bit, it'll take about 15 - 20 minutes and can be done on a phone. If they are the subject of the piece, you'll want to do the interview in person. Schedule an hour - an hour and a half for an f2f interview (although less will probably be required). Tell the interviewee how long you're expecting it to take.
If they're a source and say they have time to talk then, GO FOR IT, right then.
Type your notes into your computer on the worksheet which you have already saved and labeled. Start with the correct spelling of their name and if appropriate, their official job title.
If you know your angle and have a good overview understanding of the topic, it'll flow like a good conversation, you'll know what questions you want to ask.
You can record if you type slowly, but you'll have to go back later and transcribe, which can be time-consuming. The Notability app for Apple (and sure there are similar ones for PCs) allows you to record the interview AND take notes. When you tap your note later, it takes you back to that particular spot in the recording.
If you're typing and someone says something you KNOW you'll want to use later, switch to all caps.
5. Afterward, review the interview and research sheet. Highlight comments and/or info in the notes that are important to the story. Don't be afraid to change angles or theme at this point if you've unearthed new info in the research and interview process. Ideally, between research and interview, you'll have about an hour of time to two-hours of time in.
6. Come up with the opening. It should reflect your angle or theme. I usually think of the openings after I've done the interview and research, when I'm in the shower or walking the dog (go figure). Then when I actually sit down to write it's there for me. FOR ME, it's harder to think of the opening when I’m sitting at the computer facing a blank page. Suddenly, the toilet needs to be cleaned.
If it's a straight news piece, then the basic info should go in first paragraph - who, what, why, when. But usually for the Shoofly, we're doing a feature. To grab attention on the internet, the hook is crucial, something that raises curiosity and delight in the first few lines. For instance, an opening about the Bay-tique shop could have started:
"Jane Alford, owner of Bay-tique apparel shop on Main Street, recently announced that the shop has a new tagline: Slightly Edgy, Always Fun."
Here's how it actually opened:
"Slightly Edgy, Always Fun."
It’s the new tag line for one of Bay St. Louis’s most popular shops - Bay-tique - and fits as perfectly as your favorite jeans.
The boutique is the baby of Jane Alford, who also owns the Carroll House Bed and Breakfast in Old Town..."
7. Write the article body. Once you get the opening down, the other stuff should flow naturally and quickly if you refer back to your notes and quotes. When you use a quote or information from your sheet, change the highlight color so you'll know to ignore it on your next pass. Use short paragraphs. Keep in mind that about half of Shoofly readers are seeing it on a mobile phone or tablet. Long paragraphs intimidate and encourage people to drop off.
8. Ideally, the ending should wrap up with a satisfying conclusion, if possible, touching back on the opening theme. Feel free to give links, for more info, etc.
Actual writing time depends on length of article and how much coffee you've had. Most people average two hours to four hours for a solid draft. (for instance features averaging about 1500 words take me 3- 4 hours, while a short news story - 600 - 800 words and not as creative - generally take me only an hour or so. Of course, everyone's different.
9. If possible, let the article sit for a few days without looking at it. Then review and make changes that it needs. No matter how happy you were when you finished, you'll probably find lots of ways to improve. 15 - 30 minutes.
10. Run the draft by your interviewee to fact check. I always tell them this in advance when I'm doing the interview: "When I'm through writing the draft, I'll call you back for a fact check. It's very simple and fast. I'll just read it to you over the phone and make corrections on the spot."
When you do call them back, say "We'll make this really fast. I'll read it aloud to you and just interrupt me if something needs correction. I'll fix it right then and we'll move on. OK?" That takes about 5 - 10 minutes.
