How to Write an Awesome As-Told-To Article

An as-told-to article is written in the first person by a writer about another person.  You may know someone with a great story, but who lacks the know-how to tell it.  Therefore, you can approach them and ask them if they will share their story.  Interview them and then write the account in the first person.  Because the story is told in the first person, it lends it more intimacy, more of an emotional component.

According to Michelle Ruberg in the Writer's Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing, there are three rules to writing an as-told-to article:  first, you must use the first person to get the intended emotional effect.  Don't interject your own thoughts into the article.  You must become the subject when your write the piece.  Second, act as both writer and editor.  Put the subject's account into chronological order and make sure that it all makes sense.  Third, before having the article published, ask the subject show the piece to the subject for final approval.  That way there are no surprises when the story is published with the subject's name underneath it (ex. "by Suzy Subject as told to William Writer").

Where do you find ideas for an as-told-to article?  Michelle Ruberg suggests opening up your local newspaper.  A local resident might be mentioned briefly in a column and you realize there's a story to be fleshed out there.  Contact the person mentioned and ask them if they would be willing to share their story.  Who knows where it will lead?

Who publishes as-told-to articles?  Michelle Ruberg points out that Guideposts for Kids often publishes this type of story.  Women's magazines like to focus on as-told-to articles about woman who have accomplished something or overcome an obstacle.  Prevention magazine has included several as-told-to pieces shared by Amy Purtel's blog at http://www.amypaturel.com/articles/list/category/7/ctitle/As-Told-To/.

http://www.northeastern.edu/careers/blog/category/professional-perspectives/

How to Write Irresistible Query Letters

"The recipe for the perfect cover/query letter is simple:  give editors and agents what they want, no more and no less." (Christine Harrell)

You have a great idea for a feature article.  Grab a pen and paper and write it down immediately.  As Henry David Thoreau once said:  "Write while the heat is in you.  The writer who postpones the recording of his thoughts uses an iron which has cooled to burn a hole with.  He cannot inflame the minds of his audience."

Now that your idea is recorded and your brainstorming has begun, it's time to write that query letter to an editor to sell your idea.  Christine Harrell explains:  "you need to prepare a letter that provides what the editor/agent requires and then gets out of the way so your writing...stands on its own."  (www.freelancewriting.com/articles/article-cover-query-letters.php)  

The query should be no more than one page in length.  It should be typed on 8 1/2 x 11 paper in Times New Roman with a font size of 12.  Contact information should be included in the letter including your name, address, phone number and e-mail.  Your publishing credits, education and any pertinent personal information should also be shared.  Don't forget to thank the editor for his or her time at the end of the query.  Make sure the paper has no smudges, tears or bent corners.  

Blogger Laurie Kienlen describes the query letter as persuasive, professional and realistic. 

Remember "it's a call to action, not a list of benefits and features" (http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/how-to-write-query-letters-for-magazine-articles/).  It should get specific immediately.  Don't mention money in the query; that's a conversation for later.  Remember to follow up with a short polite e-mail mentioning the original query and date and asking whether or not it was received and if a decision had been made.

For sample query letters, visit http://writersresidence.com/blog/2009/12/02/samples-of-query-letters-that-work/.  

To read more about drafting query letters read How to Write Irresistible Query Letters by Lisa Collier Cool at http://www.amazon.ca/How-Write-Irresistible-Query-Letters/dp/1582971552.

http://inkcrafts.com/a-guide-to-writing-query-letters/

The Interview: Being Allowed to Have a Seat at the Table

My husband used to say that when Larry King interviewed guests, he would rhyme off the questions, not waiting for the responses.  However, blogger Wendy Thomas says that:  "Some of my best interviews have happened not because of asking but because of listening." (https://nhwn.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/tips-for-writing-a-feature-or-inteview-article/).

Wendy Thomas compares an interview to "being allowed to have a seat at the table".  Pull up a chair and listen. Yes, it's important to have a list of questions ready and waiting.  It's important to research your subject and to be aware of what's already been written on the topic.  But remember to be flexible. Sometimes the best material comes from an unasked question.

Freelance writing expert Allena Tapia recommends that you let the interviewee's words, ideas and actions set the agenda.  Zero in on ideas that are mentioned twice or with great passion.  Wait for what she calls the "bottom line" quote from the interviewee and highlight it.  Use the bottom line quote as the centre of your article, making your other facts, quotes and information lead back to that quote.  For Allena's full article, visit
http://freelancewrite.about.com/od/mechanicsofwriting/ht/WriteInterview.htm.

Allena suggests finding three to five broad subjects within the interview.  Then re-read your original assignment from your editor.  did he or she ask for a certain slant on the subject's childhood?  Does the interview promote a certain service?  Is there something remarkable about the interviewee's story? Compare your research to the editor's original wishes.

Refine your original broad subjects and use them as subheadings for your article.  Pull your best quotes and examples from your interview, and put them under the appropriate subheadings.
Introduce your subject, the history of the topic and your research.  Mention why each idea is important.

Focus now on the introduction which should reflect the article and frame the interviewee.  I like to include a central quote in my introduction as a foretaste of what is to come.  Turn now to your conclusion which should refer back to the introduction, making the article come full circle.  You may also refer to the subject's future plans here.

With your first draft complete, double check your spelling of names.  Double check your dates.  Reread your quotes.  Go on to a second draft (and third if necessary), editing what you have written.  Finally, submit your article to the editor.

Note:  Here is my feature interview article "Joel & Hayley Hensen:  Bringing Christ to the Congo" which appeared in the Feb. 10, 2014 edition of the Christian Courier at http://www.christiancourier.ca/images/uploads/past-issues/14Feb10.pdf.

http://thewritepractice.com/resources/interviewing/

Nurture Your Creativity

"The grass is always greener when you water it." (Unknown)

Just as grass needs watering, our creativity needs nurturing.  If we neglect grass, it could become dry and brown.  If we neglect our creativity, our creative juices can also dry up.  Here are ten ways to stimulate our imagination.  

1.  Simplicity and creativity go hand in hand.  De-clutter your life.  If you surround yourself with clutter, your mind might also feel cluttered.  Clear the mind for optimum creativity.  

2.  Relax.  Go for a walk or take a long shower.  

3.  Meditate or pray to focus the mind.    

4.  Set up a supportive space to create.  Artists like lofts.  Find a room where you feel comfortable and where you can find the tools you need to be creative.

5.  Exercise your creativity by getting the creative juices flowing.  Brainstorm.  Keep your internal editor at bay.  Embrace your imperfection.  Don't be too quick to veto your ideas.  Write them down. What might seem silly might actually work with a little tweaking.  

6.  Find a hobby.  Pursuing a hobby helps clear the mind and get the creative juices flowing.

7.  Visit nature.  Beautiful scenery and fresh air can also stimulate the brain.

8.  Read every day.  Be inspired by other people's ideas.  

9.  Be curious.  Be observant.  Employ the five senses.    

10.  Have a purpose for your writing, painting, sculpture.

Note:  Read The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.  For more information, read my post at http://alinefromlinda.blogspot.ca/2013/06/june-18.html.

tinybuddha.com