Things to improve on:
Clever headlines
Cover blurbs
Well, display copy of all kinds
Ledes
Conclusions
I'm fast and I do good work, says my boss (well, I added that "do good work" part. I think I do good work ...). But I need to not go with my first instinct on ledes, he says. Hm. I hate ledes. I hate clever cover blurbs. Perhaps that's why I'm not good at them. Any tips? What are your weaknesses?
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4 comments:
Ummm ... subheads. I had to write some today and I'm TERRIBLE at it. Design-wise they look swell but that and caption lead-ins make me want to explode. (In an oh-how-I-love magazines sort of way, of course!)
maybe think of them as an acquired taste--like fine wine. i love writing heds and subheads, although not necessarily cover blurbs. i find it helps to get relaxed and generate lists of words relating to the idea. then i like to generate lists of relevant book and movie titles then i take a walk or something and try to get the ideas to come together. this is for when you have free time so you have it at the ready. if you're on deadline, just set the intention to summarize the content and capture the mood then get out of your own way. breathing helps. practice helps too. i used to practice going about my day titling things and events ... kind of like keri russell in "waitress" who named her pies.
I also hate to write all that page-editing stuff. I like writing the articles, but I truly write terrible heads, subheads, all that stuff. Maybe that is the difference between a writer and an editor. Occasionally I pull of a good one, and then I remember it for years, I am so proud.
Angela -- I wish I could be as clever as Keri Russell when she was naming those pies. But that's good inspiration and good tips. Thanks!
And Pat -- I'm also hoping I'll come up with a headline that I'll talk about for years to come. I want people to read it and think, "oh, she's so clever!" and slap their thigh. I have high expectations, then get all gun shy.
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