Archive | February, 2011
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Colon Hydrotherapy in Your Backyard

22 Feb

The light couldn’t turn green fast enough as I sat in my car, jaw clenched in horror, staring at the awkward, hand-painted sign protruding from the side of the road.

Google images

“Colon hydrotherapy in your backyard. Call . . .”

I took a mental note of that number–to avoid it at all costs. Only in my neighborhood.

First of all, I don’t know too much about colon hydrotherapy, or exactly how it works. And I’m a health writer.

But the thought of learning the answer to those questions–in my own backyard, nonetheless–was enough to keep me awake in fear for the next few nights. By the end of the week, the sign was gone. Gee, I wonder why?

I began contemplating then. Does one need a license to perform such an immaculate procedure? Perhaps, should something of this nature be executed in the sterile confounds of–say–a medical clinic?

Apparently, no. At least in Laveen, Ariz.

Don’t look far for writing ideas

I’ve often come across individuals who believe they have no solid material for good writing. After all, they haven’t traveled the world and lived among the Aborigines.

However, some of our best ideas come from within, or right next door. I live a seemingly uneventful life to anyone who knows me:

Car, house, cat, boyfriend, 9-5 job. Yada yada yada.

But, I live in a neighborhood where the local pre-teens play a solid game of streetball Sunday afternoon, while my cowboy neighbors click-clock down my block on their horses. And, the company with whom I share the confines of a vicinity feel the need to advertise their colon hydrotherapy services on the side of the road.

Hmmm. If I were Larry David, I’d have the premise for my next Seinfeld episode.

When it all boils down, the best writers are those who OBSERVE their surroundings. What do you observe, and how has it helped your writing?

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4 Ways a Journalist Can Help Creative Writers

15 Feb

A creative writer once referred to me as a “writing scientist.”

I laughed at the time. But the more I think of it, as a journalist, I am a writing scientist. My degree is a Bachelor of SCIENCE in Journalism. There is a science to being a reporter, but over the years, I’ve discovered there is more of a science to writing.

My career has revolved around journalism (I started as a newspaper reporter), and more recently, writing for marketing and social media. Yet my roots are engrained in creativity. I’ve returned to those roots lately and discovered how my “writing scientist” background actually improves my creative writing.

Here are five ways a journalist’s training can help any creative writer improve his or her work:

1. Intrigue the reader immediately in 30 words or less.

In journalism, we’re trained to write a “lead” to every story. That’s the first sentence–it’s also the first paragraph–and it must be 30 words or less. But most importantly, the lead must catch the reader’s curiosity. If not, we lose that person for good.

Creative writers have the same task, but for different reasons. They want people to read their stories. However, if people are not enticed at the beginning, will they keep reading? I can think of countless books I’ve brushed aside because the beginning bored, or dragged, or “eased me” into the story.

Creative writers should start their novels and/or short stories the way journalists begin their articles: intriguing, and in 30 words or less.

2. Keep the story moving–don’t linger too long.

The average reader loses interest in an article after 500 words. Therefore, journalists need to cram as much information into those few paragraphs as possible, while keeping the story interesting.

Creative writers have more leeway. However, still keep the story moving. Writers will lose the reader’s sense of excitement if they spend too long describing a setting, or the way a character looks. Get the information in, then keep the story moving along.

3. Is the story newsworthy (a.k.a. unusual)?

A reporter will not write an article about a firefighter who saves a cat stuck in a tree. It’s cliché, and it’s nothing new. Yet, a journalist will write a story about a dog that saves a cat from a tree.

Why? It’s unusual.

And the bottom line is this: people want to read stories that are out-of-the-ordinary. Whether it’s in a newspaper, or a novel, this rule applies. Creative writers need to really think about their story. Has this been done before, in this way?

4. Write in Layman’s terms.

The average American reads at a 4th-5th grade level. Now, I’d imagine those who choose to read literary works of genius read at higher levels (I’d hope). Yet, if a creative writer explores a subject not known to the general public, make sure to explain what all those odd words mean.

Additionally, sometimes writing in Layman’s terms makes a story more entertaining to read. Complicated vocabulary doesn’t necessarily translate into better literature (ever listen to a PR hack blab for some company or politician?). What does equal better writing, however, is sentence structure and word choice.

With that in mind, good luck!

Like the advice I offer? Subscribe to my free blog (upper righthand corner) for email notifications on new writing tips, short stories, and media lessons. As a professional writer/editor, journalist, media strategist and communications consultant, I enjoy sharing my expertise to help others grow.

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Write for a Cause! ‘Writers for the Red Cross’ Launching

10 Feb

(Used with permission)

Calling all writers who want to make a difference! The Red Cross needs you.

My local chapter of the Red Cross, knowing of my writing reputation, pinged me on Twitter with information on a new national Red Cross campaign that combines writers and their communities. That’s right . . . as a writer, YOU can make a difference in your community–using nothing more than your talents (as a side note, I have no self-motivated interest in publicizing this; I simply think it’s a great idea and want to inform my fellow writers of the opportunity).

The campaign is called “Writers for the Red Cross,” and it’s launching mid-February. According to the Red Cross on its campaign website:

What is Writers for the Red Cross? This online event is intended to raise funds and awareness for the Red Cross and its work in communities across the country. We’ll be auctioning off publishing-related items and services donated by authors, publicists, agents, and editors. We’ll also have daily guest posts from authors about “What the Red Cross Means to Me” and a daily countdown of “31 Things You Didn’t Know About the Red Cross” on the official event website. All donors who give over $25 will also be able to select one free book from a range of books donated and shipped by publishers for the event.”

Why Writers? Writers share our commitment to community by bringing people together through their stories. And these communities continue to be strengthened as readers come together with writers in their local bookstores, in book clubs, online through social media…and through partnerships with national organizations with a similar mission of community: national organizations like the American Red Cross.”

Interested?

You better hurry. Although the campaign launches in mid-February, the campaign’s website says fundraising ends March 31. A Red Cross representative told me they especially need donations of 15+ copies of books to use for donor incentives. If you’re an author with a new book, great opportunity for you!

Visit the campaign’s website for more details on the event, as well as how YOU can get involved:
http://www.writersfortheredcross.org/

Make your writing count. Share this with your contacts, and write for a cause!

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Why do YOU Write? (take the poll)

7 Feb

I’ve struggled this past week. I’ve struggled to come up with a cool, new creative post that also educates.

After all, I’ve been gaining readership and I don’t want to lose my newest engagers now! I posted to Twitter and Facebook, asking my friends and followers what they’d want to read about writing.

And then, this one girl answered.

From Twitter. Her screen name is @Xenani. She linked me to a recent blog post she wrote, “Write for Yourself.” And it got me thinking. Lately, I’ve been writing short stories and my book—I even entered a short story contest through Columbia University’s Literary Magazine in New York.

Yet I found myself struggling with a new blog post idea (can anyone say “Writer’s Block?”). My new tweep reminded me why I write in the first place. I write because I love it. Remembering this simple fact, about WHY I write, gave me the idea for this blog post. Writer’s Block solved!

So, here’s my question to you: Why do YOU write?

Take the poll below, then check the results. This one’s strictly for you–to force you to look deep down and think. And of course, it’s fun to see what others think!

Always remember the reason you first began writing. Reach to those roots when you hit Writer’s Block, and find inspiration!

Looking for additional writing inspiration? Check out my wildly successful post, “Be the Chicken Nugget in a Bag of Vegetables.” Or subscribe to my blog (upper righthand corner) for email notifications of future posts about writing tips, funny stories, and media strategy.

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