WOW! Women On Writing Blog: develop ideas

Saturday, December 14, 2013

In this competitive world we write in, making your article or story stand out is an important piece on the road to success. You want readers to take notice and read your work.

How do you make sure this happens?

I stumbled on this little gem of wisdom this week, and even though the article focuses on business content, it got me thinking. I'm a journalist, so I employ the ideas in the article a lot. I'm also a playwright, poet, and occasionally, a writer of fiction, and these tips make sense when it comes to promotion and writing.

In a nutshell:

Ideas are everywhere. If you stop and think, you could undoubtedly create a story or article about almost any moment occurring through a day. Think about the unexpected places where stories may come from: an incident in the grocery checkout line, a school board meeting, a doctor's visit, a phone call. Tap into those moments and get creative!
Think in headlines or titles. This tidbit of advice is my step number two once I've contemplated the 5 W's and 1H. I envision the headline for the piece and write.
Answer the question. What's the takeaway or bigger lesson for readers? It's the essential element for developing connections with your readers.
Make it snack-sized. When I read these tips, my mind raced with social media and marketing efforts. We promote 140 characters at a time on Twitter. We engage readers on Facebook or through an author's website. We give enough for a nibble, a sweet taste that entices the reader to want more and more content.
Don't overthink it. Just get to the point. You don't need two paragraphs of flowery prose if you can create the same message in a single, impactful sentence.

Think precision. Think creativity. Most importantly, think about writing red hot content that leaves readers wanting more.

by LuAnn Schindler

Leave a Comment connecting with readers, develop ideas, get to the point, headlines, LuAnn Schindler, networking

Write In Season

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall. Story ideas are fresh 'in season.'

You've probably read the advice that most writers live by: pitch an article at least six months ahead of time. And for the most part, that's good advice to live by.

But it also got me thinking.

Why do I need to think about Christmas in July when I can be thinking about Fourth of July or BBQ and picnics or my birthday (wait, it isn't a national holiday) in July?

And now that August is here, why can't I be thinking about back-to-school ideas and football games and...

You get the point.

If you don't, here it is: why not be gathering ideas when an event or holiday is 'in season'? The idea is fresh in your mind, waiting to be fleshed out. If you're organized, you've been snapping pictures and gathering additional research for the idea. It makes perfect sense if you think about it. Here's an example.

Where I live - and most likely, it's the same where you reside - summertime means small-town festivals and community celebrations. One major trend I've noticed at all of these events is food. Some offer local, home-grown fare. A lot incorporate a cooking contest - rib-fests seem to be extremely popular here in the Beef State - and they draw a lot of people from outside the community.

I've been accumulating a list of the best food contests and have marketable piece, along with photos, ready to submit to local and regional publications when it's time to submit summer story pitches.

Okay, need another example? We take a lot of family pictures during the holidays. I mean A LOT. Last January, I was ~~working on an article~~ procrastinating and flipping through the digital photo album of 100+ images. Inspiration struck! We have a large family; 57 if everyone is at the gathering, ranging in age from 2 to 80-something. Organizing the family photo session isn't easy! So, I assembled a list of 5 tips for organizing holiday family photos, including ideas for pictures that show more than rows of people in ugly Christmas sweaters.

Catching on? All right. One more idea. Back to school isn't a holiday, but it is an economic impact no matter where you live. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2011 (last year data is available), $7.7 million was spent at family clothing stores during August, the back-to-school boon. And that's just clothing! Don't forget about shoes and school supplies and computers.

While fashion may change, basic school supplies don't. Why not plan a back-to-school shopping trip and turn it into an article? I did! My pitch is different though. It's the b-2-s bonanza for teachers. That sets my article apart from others that may be pitched.

While it's generally true that a writer needs to pitch a story proposal in advance, it's never too early to generate story ideas.

Especially when a story is in season.

by LuAnn Schindler. To read more of LuAnn's work, visit her website. She'd like to thank her grandsons for always providing photo and story material, as seen above.