The Science writers' handbook by Thomas Haden and Michelle Nijhuis has some excellent tips for emerging journalists. The book is fundamentally intended for Science writers, but I found it useful for all classes of freelancers. I am trying to summarize here what I learned and what I am attempting to learn.
My most curious questions are about the pitch. Recently, I have worked on some stories but could not pitch them, and I feel I can learn a lot about story development and pitch from this book.
The topic and the story development
The most interesting concept I found in Chapter two is the difference between the topic and the story. It always happens with newbies that they have intriguing topics but do not have any idea of the underlying story development. But the book suggests you can't write until you have a story to write.
According to the writer, Story contains characters engaged in some journey or conflict. It follows the characters towards a discovery and resolution through a series of linked events progressing through a clear beginning, middle and the end.
Journalistic stories must have a hook, a reason to write them, and a connection to a larger subject.
To test our ideas, we can tell them to our friends. If we can define the story in a few sentences than it works. We can test further to tell the story ideas to strangers, and if no follow-up question appears, the story isn't worth of your time.
Key questions needed to be answered by a pitch
The fundamental element of a pitch remains same no matter how short or how long it is required for an individual publication or by an editor.
The story idea: What are we proposing to write?
Relevance: Why does this story matter? Why is it good for a specific publication?
Timeliness: Why should this story be written now rather than, say, a year ago or in six months? Is there breaking news or an upcoming anniversary?
Execution: 350-word news brief or a 3000-word feature? Does it require travel or hard-to-get interview?
Extras: Photos, graphs, data, or other possible adornments to the primary story?
Author: Why am I the writer for the job.? the reason might be writing experience, knowledge of the subject, access to the key sites or resources, or the unique perspective on the issue.
Clear, thought out, and polished queries make the editor feel more secure in taking a chance with us.
We need to show it is as a story.
Mistakes to be avoided in a pitch
Dumb typos and silly mistakes.
Errors left after cut and paste,
Incorrect editor's names,
Informal language in initial emails. First name and hi
Wrong magazine
Pitching the story that just ran
Not mentioning the distinct perspectives for hot topics
Forsaking the phone initially before doing a lot of research on the intended ideas
A fine summary, Tazeen.
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