WinR Stuff

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Column Writing Pros and Cons 
by Jackie Houchin

Column Writing sounds so, well, so glamorous to me – a daily, weekly, or monthly byline with a headshot. Readers loving me, looking forward to my next article, writing to me... Head swelling stuff for sure.

Unlike the other gals on this blog, I'm not a novelist. I've attempted writing short stories and had ONE flash story published, but the whole... character arc, rising and falling action, three act structure, dying-to-self climax... I just can't get it all to work.  Maybe that's why I got into the newspaper writing and book reviewing business. Telling someone else's story – now THAT I can do. 

My first book review was published in a local "rag" (The Foothills Paper) with the greatest of ease.  The editor asked for another review, and then started sending me out as a "cub reporter" covering local events, writing human interest stories, and doing local business profiles.  I loved seeing what was happening around town, "shooting" dignitaries, writing it all up. My favorite was interviewing people and telling their stories. (See my "Interview Techniques" on this blog http://bit.ly/1LKyVvf )

My words and photos, in print every week. It's a real high. Give me a press card, an assignment, a Wednesday deadline and I was in writer-heaven. I'll admit, I got a bit "cocky" when I started getting front page and multi-part stories. That's when I began to wonder...could I segue from a "stringer" into a columnist?  What would it be like to have my own permanent spot on page three?

It was then I happened on *Lydia E. Harris' article, "Is Column Writing for You?" What I learned from it made me decide to... well, let me share her wisdom first.  She asked NINE questions to consider before taking the leap.  I'll list them, and show how I came to my "final decision."

1. Do you have an idea for a column TOPIC?  She told us to consider our profession, hobbies, life experiences.

I had several I could choose from: aspects of writing, photography, horse keeping, Bible commentary. A "Dear Abby" type column would be fun, but who was I to tell other people how to solve their problems? I had to look at each idea closely and see if I could generate an ongoing column from any of them. (Kind of slim, I had to admit.)

2. How will the commitment impact your family? Do you have TIME to take on a new, ongoing writing assignment?

As I chewed on my cheek, I looked at the things in my life that might have to be set aside. Of course that depended on how often my column would appear, wouldn't it?

3. Is money an issue?

I hadn't considered money much. Sure I got paid for the stories and photos that ran in the newspaper, but would a column garner more money? Any money? (Note to self: check this out.)

4. Can you accept criticism from readers? If your writing is controversial, you may receive negative feedback.

Eek!  No, I'm not good with criticism.  But wouldn't my column be "nice" and safe?  I'd been expecting "atta-girl" letters, not confrontations. (I looked over my possible topics list and crossed off Bible commentary.)  I also had to consider the fact that my newspaper editor DID thrive on controversy and heated letters exchanged. Would he allow me a cute little column? (Um... nope.)

5. WHY do you want to write a column? Is it to share your expertise, shape lives, develop credentials? Do you want a built-in writing market? Do you want to gain recognition and build a platform?

These questions were getting harder.  Did I really have "expertise" on any of my topic ideas? How would tips on horse keeping shape people's lives? How about name recognition? I already had that with my weekly stories and photos.  (Note to self: develop MORE topic ideas!)

6. Are you good at generating ongoing ideas for your topic? (Here she gave a short challenge: Pick a topic that interests you and quickly list 10-20 column ideas.)

Um... how about two?

7. Are you motivated to complete columns regularly and meet deadlines?

Deadlines were not a problem. I did my best writing when I was coming down to the wire on a midnight deadline. But, what if I couldn't come up with enough ideas on my column topic?  Would I get bored? Get sloppy? Want to quit quickly?  Would I let the editor and the readers – my dear sweet readers – down?  

8. How often would you want to write a column?

The stars in my eyes were quite dim by now. I wasn't sure I could do this column writing thing.  The vision of a fascinating and well-read weekly column was fading into the mist. Writing it seemed like climbing Mount Everest. Or a prison I'd be locked into for the rest...of...my...life. 

Her last question was a hum-dinger.

9. SHOULD you write a column? It depends on how you answered the above questions. If you have something to say, can say it well, and find a market, then the answer is probably yes.

Sadly disillusioned, I had to admit my answer was "no." I was a cub reporter, a stringer, for a rag newspaper, in search of that great investigative story that would win me a Pulitzer!  (Okay, maybe not that!)

But she continued with a bit more advice if your answer was "yes."

1. Carefully select a title for your column. If possible make your title distinctive by including your name in it.

2. To find a market, start with a local publication and prepare several sample columns. Submit them with a proposal and cover letter to introduce yourself and the need for the column. (Don't discuss pay!)

I retired from newspaper writing when I moved south to Orange County four years ago. I never attempted to write a column, but I did have my own News Website for some years, and now I write on three blogs; THIS ONE, my eclectic "Here's How it Happened" (http://bit.ly/1Qb9osi ) and my "Morning Meditations; Beginning the Day in God's Word" (http://bit.ly/1oAbZVq ).

Hey... a blog is a column of sorts, right?


* "Is Column Writing for You?" by Lydia E. Harris, Christian Communicator, September, 2011

10 comments:

  1. I KNOW WHAT I BELIEVE, DO NOT CONFUSE ME WITH THE TRUTH-by steve finnell


    Why do so many believe they are smarter than God? If you change the meaning of Scripture you must believe you know more than God.

    Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom. (NASB)

    When pride is the primary attribute of the person searching for God's truth, confusion is the result.

    TRUTH: Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. (NASB)

    PRIDEFUL INTERPRETATION: He who has believed and has not been baptized shall be saved.

    TRUTH: Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (NASB)

    PRIDEFUL INTERPRETATION: For by grace alone you have been saved and God has imputed faith as a gift to those selected for salvation so they might believe.

    TRUTH: Peter said to them, "Repent and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NASB)

    PRIDEFUL INTERPRETATION: Repent and be baptized because your sins were forgiven the minute you believed. You received the gift of the Holy Spirit the moment you believed and spoke in tongues. Speaking in tongues was evidence of your salvation.

    TRUTH: Romans 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in the newness of life.(NASB)

    PRIDEFUL INTERPRETATION: Therefore we have been buried with Him by pouring, sprinkling or immersion in water into death. Sprinkling and pouring mean a burial. We were already walking in newness of life because we were saved before water baptism.

    TRUTH: John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way , and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.(NASB)

    PRIDEFUL INTERPRETATION: Jesus said to him, "I am one of many ways to the Father, do not judge other religious beliefs."


    YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com

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  2. Hi Steve. I'm not sure what your comment has to do exactly with the post on Column Writing. Perhaps you checked out one of my other blogs and object to what I said on them. It would have been better for you to comment THERE, I think. This is a blog on aspects of writing.

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  3. Looks like I am experiencing something that Lydia E. Harris spoke about in Question number 4.

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  4. Let me quote Dirty Harry: "A man has to know his limitations." You might not want to spend half your day or more researching and writing a column because you have family, church and friends to make your life complete. The time and energy spent doing missionary work and painting those wooden puzzles for kids leaves a great and memorable legacy. And the articles you do write are all the better because they aren't forced. I think you found the right path.

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  5. Very interesting and excellent road-map/expectations list. Thinking about what one is about to do is sooo helpful. Unfortunately, should have done the "thinking" part well before somethings I've started.(smile) I think having a column with a byline and a picture is so cool, but then there's all the work, thought, and consequences you talked about attached! Great post.

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  6. You've laid out the advantages and drawbacks so well, and following your personal take on this added depth to the "figure it out" list. Very helpful for those contemplating blogging as well as columns.

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    1. That's true, Miko. After I wrote this, I realized that blog writing is almost like having a column. I'd been thinking of a newspaper, but so much is online now anyway.

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  7. Great advice. There's a lot more to think about than do I have one great idea.

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  8. Great, interesting post, Jackie. You convinced me I am NOT columnist material. Those are such good questions to ask oneself. And, I agree with GB's comments above!!!

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