Topic Twists Or How To Generate A List Of Story Ideas

Whether you're a journalist or a fiction writer, you may rely on a brainstorming session to generate an idea list for an article or a plot twist.

Where should you start? Here's a technique I use every Wednesday, once the weekly where I serve as managing editor goes to print.

First, I look at the community calendar and see what's coming up in the next two weeks. Sometimes, I jot down specific events. Other times, I write a generalized tag - like basketball - that can be used in one of the upcoming steps.

Then, I take a look at holidays, especially those that are unique to a special time period. For instance, did you know that National Pancake Week wraps up today? If there's something relatable to my coverage area, I write it down.

Next, I list subtopics for each item, using the following demographics to develop a specific idea:

• woman's issue
• man's issue
• kid's/teen issue
• a twist
• outlandish idea
• evergreen idea

Let's use the basketball idea. My list might resemble this:

• woman's issue: check with area schools about girls' basketball participation numbers since participation is declining nationally
• man's issue: local town teams provide physical fitness
• kid's/teen issue: local team raised over $1,000 for Healthy Heart Month
• a twist: how local schools use social media to promote sports updates
• outlandish idea: local basketball players - Who would you beat in the latest NBA video game?
• evergreen idea: district basketball pairings released.

Right there I have at least six possible articles. While some may seem silly and will never make it to the paper, others are worth pursuing.

Generating a topic list allows you to think outside the box, to take a single word and twist and bend it to meet the needs of your publisher or editor.

And most important, the ideas work.

By LuAnn Schindler

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4 comments finding topics, LuAnn Schindler, topic lists, topic twists

The Public Diary

Buried in the back of my closet, a box sits, unopened for the past eight years. Inside,  a dozen or so bound books - diaries, if you will - from various points of my life. The first, a leatherbound tome that my godfather gave me when I graduated from college. I filled it with quotations and poems and frivolous stuff that, at the time, seemed so important.

One of the others is a book I began when I turned 40. I called it my happiness journal. That book became my therapist, my reason for not letting depression get the best of me.

Each of these journals is an interesting read from a certain point in my life. While some entries are generic, either in content or point I'm trying to make, and suitable for public eyes, other entries were written for my eyes only. And that gives me pause. What will happen in 50 years (yes, I'm going to live to age 100 - positive thinking), I'm not certain I want my daughters to read about my escapades.
Or perhaps I do.

That's got me thinking lately. In a time when most of us are on Facebook or Twitter or write blog posts, we're leaving a digital diary trail for anyone to read. Our autobiographical online journals/diaries are broadcast to a worldly audience, an intimate expression of self-disclosure.

I'll admit that I don't write in a physical diary as much as I used to, but I'm not sure if it's because after writing and editing newspaper stories all day, I'm tired and don't have the creativity to write at the end of the day or if it's because I'm using online versions more. A hundred years from now, will someone hold one of my diaries and use it as an educational tool about life during two different centuries and the hardships endured and joys encountered? That's difficult to do with a Facebook post.

One goal I plan to work on is keeping an updated, physical chronicle of what I find important. Diaries and journals play a key role when it comes to first-person research, a tool for self-discovery and a means of self-expression. A lot of times, that takes more than a 140-character snippet.

Do you keep a physical diary or journal?

by LuAnn Schindler

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3 comments blogging, diary, journals, LuAnn Schindler, online diary

The Newsroom and Old Media Values

All good things must come to an end.

That’s what I thought when I watched the series finale of HBO’s “The Newsroom” Sunday evening. I stumbled upon the hour-long drama in 2012, and immediately, I was hooked. Part of the reason could’ve been the subject matter: the inner workings of a cable news network. After college, I was offered the chance to work in a local TV newsroom, but I turned it down. Why? Motherhood waited patiently around the corner. I was expecting twins and the uncertainty of whether two-hour feedings, diaper changes and eventual terrible-twos tantrums, doubled, would mesh with a career-focused mom frightened me.  

With “The Newsroom,” I could vicariously live out my expectations of covering national breaking news, travel to a foreign country to cover a hot story or power lunch with media elite, all while reclining in the comfort of home.

Another part of the reason why the show intrigued me was the cast of characters, including the news anchor “who grew up in a little town outside Lincoln.” Will McAvoy, played by Jeff Daniels, introduced an idealistic but cynical journalist who was determined to improve journalism and storytelling and dedicated to tell the truth, not some politicized or editorialized version based on the reporter’s beliefs about what makes humanity and this nation tick.

Of course, there were the others: Mackenzie, the executive producer who loved Will; Sloane and Don, whose no-nonsense attitudes and quirky banter provided comic relief; Maggie and Jim, who struggled through personal tragedies and missteps to tell important stories and Charlie, the news division president who was determined to keep the principles of old media alive.

Each of them had a tragic flaw, so for the English teacher that still lives in my brain, I found it delicious fun to dissect their characters, trying to understand their motivation, digging deep into their psyches to see how a constant influx of action and deadlines and dilemmas created tension that mirrored reality.

But I believe the main reason the show resonates with me is the push and pull between old and new media and how the landscape of reporting has changed since the dawn of the 24-hour news cycle. It seems that in the rush to be first, some news outlets have lost their vision. Is it more important to break a story, when details may not be crystal clear, or do news outlets have a responsibility to tell the truth, the verified truth and nothing but the accurate truth? Are viewers and readers so hungry for sensationalism and positive spins on even the most heinous situations that they fail to realize news, in its naked glory, isn’t always attractive?

“The Newsroom” offered a view of old media, of getting back to old media values. That’s why it hit home with me - the need to return to truth telling, now matter how gritty or pretty. It’s easy to wield a pen (or keyboard) and spin a yarn. It can be difficult to spell out truth, if consumers don’t want to accept it.

Sunday evenings, for me, won’t be the same.

by LuAnn Schindler

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Leave a Comment LuAnn Schindler, media values, new media, old media, The Newsroom

Five Ways To Improve Your Writing

As a journalist, I need to be able to write when it's time to write. I'm on deadline - well, all the time - so it's imperative that once I've interviewed someone, I sit down and tell the story.

Despite writing two or three articles a day, I continue to look for ways to improve my writing. Even if you write fiction or poetry or plays, these practical ideas will help you fine tune your work.

Tip #1: Inspiration. I spend at least an hour a day perusing other newspapers, observing the storytelling style of its reporters, as well as the types of stories printed. A lot of the time, one of the stories I've read sticks in my mind, and by the time I should be working on a story, I'll catch myself daydreaming about that particular topic and how I can tie it to the community where I live and write about. Daydreaming - investigating and imagining - are important parts of the writing process. It allows you to question what's going on in the world and narrow it to something specific. Without asking those questions that come about from a daydreaming session, writing becomes stagnant. Why not take a half hour each day to investigate what subject can be molded into a story?

Tip #2: Flow. Once inspiration hits, it is time to put words on paper. What happens if the well runs dry or if a story takes a detour, into something that's not quite where it should be? This is why a routine - flow - is a key component on the writing process. I like to flesh out a story in my mind first and have a mental outline of what should be included. Then, the words take off, like a melodic sonata of give and take. Now that's writing.

Tip #3: Voice. A former fellow teacher would argue with me about the definition of voice. Naturally, I would win the argument. (Note my sly grin.) I had a knack for being able to read a student's piece of work and tell you who wrote it without looking at the name on the outside of the folded essay. Voice is how you write, how you string words into phrases and how those phrases create a rhythm and that rhythm morphs into a fluid piece. A reader contacted me the other day and told me that she enjoyed reading my newspaper articles because they were different. I asked her what she meant and she replied that the articles told a story, that they drew in the reader and made her feel like she was experiencing  what I wrote about. In other words, my writing has a distinct voice, and that, fellow writers, keeps readers coming back for more.

Tip #4: Sentence Structure. The same teacher I mentioned above taught students a formula for sentence writing. Personally, I found the practice a bit strange. Sometimes, a single word completes a sentence. Sometimes, a compound-complex sentence does the trick. What I'm saying is that sentence structure needs to vary. A lot. If it's all written the same, it'll read the same. And (yes, I started a sentence with 'and.') after awhile, same becomes boring. Stagnant. Get. The. Point?

Tip #5: Word choice. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Granted, I like visiting thesaurus.com as much as the next person, and at times, I think there's good reason to consult a resource like this, but precision - connotation and even denotation - drive a story. Is it OK to say the grass is green if the color resembles an emerald instead of a lime or the ever-popular Kelly green? Great writing relies on precision to make a point, create an image, set the tone. You can accomplish those goals through word choice.

Writing requires practice on paper - maybe even a dry run through the mind - and implementing key writing processes will improve what you put on the page.

by LuAnn Schindler

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3 comments flow, Inspiration, LuAnn Schindler, precision in writing, sentence structure, voice, word choice, writing tips

The Writing Days Of Our Lives

I should write for a soap opera.

Why? Because in the last six months, my life has become one. Need proof? Try these storylines:

• Our grandson was taken by his biological father, who refused to tell us their location. Oh, he was pulled over by law enforcement an hour after the incident, but because of language in a parenting plan, he was allowed to whisk away our four-year-old grandkid. Luckily, the grandson came home a month later. (In soap opera land, that storyline would've played out for years.)
• My mom, who has a rare form of cancer, has been in and out of the local hospital, as well as our state university's medical center. It's been a battle - and she has a fantastic attitude about it all - but why can't doctors find a cure and rush into the hospital room like they do on TV?
• One of our daughters announced she was getting married. No problem, except it was a month before the nuptials were scheduled. Thank goodness she has a large circle of family and friends who made the miracle happen.
• We took a road trip half way across the country. In a moving van. Across the California desert (yes, we nearly ran out of fuel), through the Arizona heat and cold, moving my sister back home. No Thelma and Louise, just me and the husband, taking turns driving the 26-foot truck, about 12 hours a day for three days. Good news: we survived.
• In the span of three days, two family members passed away. One lost his battle to disease. The other died too early (age 40) from a medical condition that hadn't affected him for years, but we're still waiting for autopsy results. 

Can't you see them all playing out? If I hadn't experienced these last six moths and lived through every gutwrenching moment, I'm not sure I would believe it, but it's true.I felt like I was Liz Chandler from Days of Our Lives, suffering from amnesia, walking around in a daze. Or, at the least, it felt like  I was trapped in the movie "Groundhog Day," where every day started over like a bad dream.

And in the midst of it all, I juggled family responsibilites with writing, and at some point, something had to give. Mainly, I put writing aside so I could make it through the day.

Now that things have slowed to a somewhat normal routine, I look at those crazy, hazy days of summer that slipped into fall and I realize that there are some great writing lessons that can be put to use.

Like:

• Details. If I replay certain days or certain segments of a stressful day, I can recall every detail and see it play out. I can recal the smells and sounds and colors of everything around me. That ability definitely helps writing become fine-tuned, adding a layer of specifics that boost a storyline.
• Characterization. I had the opportunity to observe a lot of people in multiple situations. I made sure to note their reactions, their attitudes, their beliefs. Observing others can add new life to a character in your latest book or story. Sit back, watch and be amazed.
• Pacing. When you step back from a situation, you realize the pace of life and how a specific incident gains momentum and then lapses into those still moments of lull, waiting for something to happen, the other shoe to drop. Momentum and pacing drive storylines.
• Determination. I vowed that I would face each of these challenges head on, no distractions, no excuses. Translate that to your writing life. Nothing can stand in the way of a writer who wants to complete a project. 
• Faith. Even when the world feels like it's caving in around you, look for the silver lining. It's there. I'm not sure how I would've survived had if I didn't have a strong sense of faith.

So on those days when you feel like the world around you is one big drama, tune in and use those moments to create a stronger story.

Be Bold. Stay Young. Celebrate the days of your writing life.

By LuAnn Schindler

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3 comments adding emotional details, LuAnn Schindler, motivation, pacing, sensory details, soap opera, storyline, writing from experience

Use Your Library For Research

As a journalist and writer, I feel like I am constantly researching. Whether I need to find information about the new charting system at the local clinic that allows patient-doctor interaction or seeking historical background material for my WIP, I need to utilize every piece of research available.

That means I don't just turn to online sources. Sure, there are a lot of great online sites that have fabulous information, but for some subjects, writers need to turn to another trusted source: the local library.

I'm lucky that the library in the town I where I work, as well as the library in the village where I live, have fantastic resources, especially when it comes to historical sources.

And the librarians in both places: complete information experts!

When I needed to find information about a now-defunct park in the area, I visited the local library. The librarian located a county history book with some information and started going through past newspapers, gleaning bits and pieces of information from different years.

I think that often, we are quick to rush to the internet to search out a source. Instead, I believe we need to look locally and utilize the wonderful houses of knowledge that provide a wealth of knowledge.

LuAnn Schindler

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Leave a Comment how to research, librarians, libraries, library research, LuAnn Schindler, research, using the library

Are You Really Reaching A Wide Audience On Facebook

If you have an author fan page on Facebook, you should consider this gem of wisdom:

• More proof that you can't put all your eggs in the online basket: Unless you PAY to boost your Facebook posts, only six out of 100 fans will see updates.

And here you believed you were reaching the thousands (or maybe millions?) of fans who liked your page.

Think again.
You're reaching only 4.5 percent of your "like" base.
Yikes!
It's impossible to understand the algorithm that calculates who does and does not see your post. Experts at bufferapp note that post types (photo versus text), posts hidden or reported as spam by users, interaction with Facebook ads, and device and speed of connection all play into it.
How can you increase your Facebook footprint?
I'm not sure there's any one tried and true piece of advice, but the following tips may help you notice an increase in interaction.

1. Post at non-peak times. Think 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. These posts have a better chance of showing up first thing in the morning.
2. Post original photos. And maybe take it a step further by posting photos of YOU, the writer, at work.
3. Post questions. Questions are a natural way to engage readers...and Facebook fans.
4. Quit worrying about it. Is your Facebook reach the only measure if you're engaging fans? If you answer yes, you may want to reconsider your marketing strategy.

I'll be honest. I hadn't given much consideration to the Facebook page for the newspaper I work for as managing editor. Sure, I'd check out the numbers and see how many people saw posts and interact with fans/customers who left comments.

In the last two months, though, we've looked at other ways to engage readers on Facebook. Links (with pictures) to our online stories get a decent look, but the most popular posts feature photos for #TBT - Throwback Thursday, #FF - Flashback Friday and our weekly Facebook Feedbook question.

Sometimes, it takes time to "train" readers and fans to interact, but once they start, the audience participation seems to build.

We also utilize Twitter and readers can comment on articles online.

Still, you can't put all your marketing eggs into one social media strategy basket.

What's your experience with fans on Facebook? 

by LuAnn Schindler

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1 comment Author Pages, author pages on facebook, Facebook ads, facebook analytics, facebook statistics, LuAnn Schindler, posting on facebook

Using Pinterest To Your Advantage

I like Pinterest. I like it so much that:

1. My husband told me I was online too much and had accumulated too much stuff for Pinterest projects I "promise I will get to, one of these days" and
2. Received a notice from the website that I am one of the top pinners. (I bet they say that to every user. ;) )

Until recently, I didn't think I was using Pinterest to my advantage as a writer. After Facebook posting articles and sharing links via Twitter, in addition to engaging with readers, it's tough to find time for one more social media account that showcases my writing talents.

But then, I began posting some of my writing on one of my Pinterest boards. A few of them have been pinned and repinned and repinned and repi---, well, you get the point.

Why do some posts tend to make a bigger splash than others? I wish I knew the truth here, but I'm going to take a guess:

1. The pinned article helps someone. Perhaps the information helps a reader/pinner solve a problem. Pin and repin.
2. The pinned article contains precise information. It's direct and to the point.
3. The pinned article tells a clear story. No fluff, just facts (and preferably, facts that can be used).
4. The pinned article posts during a targeted time. Predict when highest number of potential pinners/readers will be online. Compare it to Facebook pages, where you get data about the number of friends reached. Pinterest works in a similar fashion, so select key times to draw in pinners and readers.

If you want to use Pinterest to connect with your audience and create potential readers, these pin guidelines may help you increase your readership.

And isn't that the ultimate goal?

Do you have a Pinterest strategy? Share how you make it work for you. 

by LuAnn Schindler

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2 comments LuAnn Schindler, pinterest, Pinterest for writers

Writing In the Right Place At The Right Time

Sometimes, the writing life boils down to being in the right place at the right time.

That's what happened Tuesday. A derecho (a widespread, straight-line windstorm associated with a fast-moving group of severe thunderstorms) swept across Nebraska, dropping pea- to tennis ball-size hail, along with buckets of much-needed precipitation.

Since it was Tuesday, I was busy getting this week's weekly newspaper designed, but when the boss said "Let's go storm chasing," I grabbed the camera, my iPhone and away we went.

We shot  video and stills of incoming clouds and every three or four minutes, I uploaded the media, along with reports of conditions we encoutered, to either Twitter or Facebook so our readers knew what was happening.

Interestingly, our race with Mother Nature paid off. Several major news outlets, including the Weather Channel, NBC News and ABC News, along with regional news outlets, were asking for permission to use my photos and video, as well as my weather updates.

That's part of the thrill of being a journalist. You never know when someone will see your work - whether words or visuals - and want more.

By LuAnn Schindler

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3 comments being inspired, journalism, journalist, LuAnn Schindler, social media

After the Writer's Conference

A month ago, I attended the Nebraska Writer's Guild spring conference. I'd been planning to go for months, but the week of the conference was hectic and I almost skipped the three hour drive (and a chance to spend my daughter's birthday with her) to get caught up on work.

Glad I didn't.

For at least ten years - and probably more like 12 - I've read Funds For Writers, and now I had a chance to meet the woman responsible for that website, Hope Clark. So, I awoke at 4 a.m. and drove to Mahoney State Park, near Omaha, for the event.

Throughout the day, editors, writers and screenwriters presented a lot of valuable information, but information is only valuable if you put it to use AFTER you get it. How can I take the tidbits of insider info and put it to use for my writing career?

That's the point, isn't it? 

In this past month, I've read and reread handouts and notes from that day, but I still have not taken any steps to apply the info to my writing. I need to, and I know I need to, but now I'm wondering what's holding me back. Is it a too-busy schedule? Possibly. Is it too many projects in the fire? Maybe. Is it fear of failure? I have a sneaking suspicion, this is the culprit.

So, even though it's Mother's Day, and I should be spending time with family, I've made an appointment for writing time today - just time for me to take a work in progress and apply what I learned. My family will understand because they know writing is important to me.

Advice is welcome and good, but only if you put into practice what you've learned. If we, as writers, are willing to invest in our craft by attending a conference, we need to be willing to take a hard look at our work and how to improve it.

By LuAnn Schindler

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1 comment improve your writing, LuAnn Schindler, using writing conference information, writing conference