Today’s task is to weed through a few interview tapes and transcribe the pertinent info for an article I’ll put together and hopefully deliver by 5 today. I’ve got a system, see, that I use to get my butt in gear and get the goods delivered. It’s a finely tuned system that I developed when I realized I was the sole writer on the magazine staff on top of being an editor, and I was expected to crank out as much copy per month as I could (which usually amounted to two main articles and one or two up-front pieces). It’s called Get It Done. Here’s how I do it:
Write a headline. Mine’s really intricate – if I’m writing about financial risk, the headline is Financial Risk. Brilliant, huh? Just put the topic on the page. It’s amazing how this little reminder keeps you on track.
Subheads. Ooo, this is one exciting outline! I know, not exactly rocket science, but it’s what you put that helps you write the article. I usually write how-to type of articles, but this works for trend articles and just about anything. My typical subheads include the Problem (name the issue you’re addressing, such as how crabgrass is becoming the next kudzu vine), the Experts’ Take on the Problem – usually a few subheads if they don’t hold the same opinion (yes, it’s a horrible plague versus meh, it’s just a ploy to sell more herbicide), and then the Solution (natural remedies and effectiveness or herbicides and the-planet-be-damned approach). What I’ve found is that pinpointing your subheads is the best way to focus your writing.
When you label each section, you see what needs to go into that story, and that helps you in a number of ways. If you’ve not conducted interviews yet, it’ll help you determine what you need to ask. If you have, it’ll help you weed through the expert opinion and find those quotes that will bring the story to life. And it’ll keep you from bringing up extraneous points, such as why herbicides have gone up in price (though this could be reserved for a sidebar) or why mowers make so much noise. It’s an outline, but it’s not a cumbersome outline. Think of it more as a short list of talking points. And yes, if you find that the story evolves into a completely different area, these things can be changed to suit.
What’s your process? How do you organize and get the job done quickly?
I get the subheaders within the body of the article down right away. Then I paste the relevant quotes under the appropriate headers, and that way I feel like I’m just filling in the blanks, and it keeps me on track. I also write the intro last.
I do the same thing as Amanda !
Oh my goodness, Lori, I do this same thing! I’m working on longer pieces today (due soon) and I’m filling in info under my subheads now. Like Amanda, I sometimes do things backwards. I’ve even been known to write the very last paragraph first because the piece is just inspired that way, and then I go back to the top and work my way down. We writers are clever folks, aren’t we?! LOL
*smiles*
Michele
P.S. I’m going to link to this post soon. I already have my next post planned, but after that one I’m definitely sharing this with my readers. 🙂
Very cool! Isn’t that the easiest way to get an article going? It’s like a cheat sheet minus the cheating!
Great system, Lori!
My process is similar to yours too (great minds …).
I call my fill-in-the-blanks areas “buckets” 🙂
I hammer out the main body of the article and let it simmer for a while before editing. I usually bold or bullet the subtopics or stand-out thoughts as I go, or sometimes add them in on the edit. Then I look for cool data for a sidebar, just in case the editor wants an add on. I usually jot down ways to tweak the original article or slant it differently to resell while the ideas and contacts are fresh.
I’m the freak who vomits out the whole article, then rearranges everything a few times, and the sub-headers are the LAST thing I do.
Devon, you’re in luck – we gladly welcome freaks here. :))
I’m all about subheads and outlines. I think my head would explode without them. 🙂
kk