RusticOkie Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 for our local small town newspaper. But there is a small problem, I have no idea what to write about. Nothing like the opportunity to write anything you want and have it published and not be able to come up with anything. I'm hoping you ladies might have some inspiration for me. I don't know if I should write different articles every week about whatever strikes my fancy at the moment or if I should start a column and write on the same topic every week. Any ideas? What do you like about your paper? What would you like to read about that isn't there? Keep in mind this is a small town full of sheeple and I don't want to upset the balance too much. Link to comment
ArmyOfFive4God Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Rising prices Natural disasters Frugality (many topics- cloth diapering, cooking from scratch, couponing, thrift shopping, discount stores, etc) Link to comment
HSmom Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 That's a very broad question... If it were me, I would make the topic something about Simplifying or De-stressing your life. Then write about simple living, healthy local foods, self-sufficiency, reducing consumerism, increasing family time, etc. Link to comment
RusticOkie Posted January 30, 2008 Author Share Posted January 30, 2008 Thank you. I like the idea of a broad topic so that I can incorporate many different segments into it. Link to comment
RusticOkie Posted January 30, 2008 Author Share Posted January 30, 2008 Thanks. Yes, I realize it was a pretty broad question but I really am pretty open at this point. Simple living is a good umbrella. Thanks. Link to comment
Cat Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 OOOOH! Simple living can encompass *SO* much!! Start interviewing the older members of the community for how *they* remember doing things to save money, have fun, live simply, etc. They are a WEALTH of information, and they LOVE to talk!!! You'll gain extraordinary attention for your column, teach people, and make the often-lonely elders feel special. Link to comment
RusticOkie Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 Cat that is a wonderful idea. I would love to do some interviews of the older people in the area. They know so much that I would love to learn. Thanks so much for this idea. Now I just need to get back 1 of the 2 voice recorders I loaned to my neice last year. Link to comment
John & Joan of Ark Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 What a great opportunity! Be sure and add some recipes-my favorite part of the paper. Our local paper does a weekly interview and includes that person's favorite recipes. I'm sure you'll find plenty of inspiration at home and also here in this forum Link to comment
RusticOkie Posted February 4, 2008 Author Share Posted February 4, 2008 Including a recipe is a great idea. I'm sure a lot of the readers would love that. Thanks. Link to comment
JCK88 Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 Write about anything and everything---I wouldn't even use Simple Living as an umbrella because after several months, you'll run out of topics. "Life Around Here" could be anything--and you'd still be able to use topics to get people to think about stocking up, doing things the old ways, etc. I think your key is to find some interesting folks to interview. You don't really need a voice recorder to do this--that will take you so much time. Just go with a notebook and write down the relevant quotes that make your story sound interesting and trust in your own memory to get the rest in. Otherwise, you're going to take all week to write a weekly column that should take about an hour to do! PS. I was a newspaper columnist for a few years in my wayward youth--I wanted to call it "The Acorn Beat" because I covered all the nuts-- LOL but the editor wouldn't let me. I was desperate sometimes for ideas and got my best columns sitting in the dunkin donuts and listening to conversations. Link to comment
RusticOkie Posted February 4, 2008 Author Share Posted February 4, 2008 OMG lol "Acorn Beat" that is hilarious. You're right, I don't want to limit myself where I start to run out of topics, that would be very bad. Trusting in my memory is the scary part. It seems to be fried since having the baby! But a reviewing a tape could take ages. I'll keep that in mind. Link to comment
JCK88 Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 RusticOkie...if you HAVE to use a tape recorder, use one with a little counter on it. As you are also taking notes (in case your recorder fries on you) and you hear your subject say something quotable, write down the number on the counter and that way you don't have to search through the entire tape for the nice little sound byte you know is there! After a while, you will be fine without the recorder. If you're only writing one story a week, the tape won't slow you down too bad. I was a daily reporter and the column was in addition to my regular daily stories so I couldn't spend a whole lot of time on it! Every person you meet and every column you write will be etched into your life and onto your heart. You are going to have FUN doing this. I'm a little jealous, LOL Link to comment
Dee Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I would say, write about what interests you so your readers will feel your interest when reading it. If I tried to writing about fixing the TV, booorrring BUT if I were to write about gardening, for example, I would be interested and my article would probably show the difference. Also, congratulations, the opportunity you have is wonderful. Enjoy!!!! Link to comment
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