Back to basics: the article-writing process

Helping new writers think out their approach to a task I tackle every week

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my efforts to re-examine processes in my business. This week I had the chance to revisit a writing-related process that I use on a daily if not weekly basis: writing an article. The discussion was in aid of helping my students work through that assignment for the first time (specifically they are tasked with writing a profile of a well-known public figure based on existing articles) and share notes on best practices. Here are some topics that came up that may apply well to all freelancers:

Start with good material

For us article writers, starting with good material means doing thoughtful background research, finding a variety of sources and ensuring they are credible. The majority of our discussion focused on source credibility and the importance of looking carefully at media sites and considering issues of bias in today's era of disinformation.

Choosing an angle

Even when you have a topic, stories are more interesting when they have a focus, a point of view, something to say. We discussed the idea of having two or three approaches in mind then looking at the material to determine what is most interesting or feasible; for example, when covering a public figure do you want to look at her profession, her philosophy of life, her public vs private persona? Choosing one can help create a stronger profile.

Finding a writing approach that works for you

I've read it more as applied to fiction writers, but there is a concept of planners versus pantsers i.e., those who write an outline and those who fly by the seat of their pants in just starting to write. I don't think there is a right answer although I do suggest new writers start out by using outlines as a way of avoiding the blank page. Later, you may transition to doing the outline more in your head for shorter pieces, although I still outline most longer articles, again so I'm not writing in circles.

As you can see, even when you've been working on your craft for a long time, it can be helpful to talk out how you approach it, if only to get some perspective on what is otherwise a pretty solitary process.

Covid update: still sick! On day 12, I am here to remind you to keep masking up. I did and I still got it and it is still miserable. Hoping to leave it behind soon.