Featurewriting.Net: Timeless Feature Story Ideas in an Online World

by Michael Ray Smith

Wayne Andersen is professor emeritus at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During the 1950s while attending the University of California at Berkeley, he was an abstract expressionist painter and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0974831921
• ISBN13: 9780974831923
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Epistelogic
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.2" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Practical Pointers for Aspiring Writers

I am an independent editorial consultant and have edited and written features for almost 20 years. If you are a talented aspiring feature writer, you will find some tools in this book that you can use to launch your writing techniques and career. I especially enjoyed the piece on localizing articles that featured Jill Darling's story. Very sage advice that gives readers a practical path to follow into journalism. Those who love reading often look at writing as the next step in their literary experience, but reading a well-written feature is far removed from the task of writing an original article. Step-by-step instruction and experiences of successful writers can help you avoid the pitfalls and discouraging roadblocks that face the first-time writer.

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Featurewriting.net is a real winner! Michael Smith unleashes journalistic tools for aspiring writers in building block fashion. As a seasoned reporter, Michael takes you on the insider beat as if he were putting his arm around you, coaching you every step of way. He delves into the nuts and bolts of feature writing: selling the story, interviewing, using the Internet for research and mastering the lead. As a journalism professor, Michael's teaching gift is evident as he offers his own reporting secrets about what works and what doesn't. An award-winning photojournalist, he explains how to take quality photographs that enhance stories and double paychecks. The book is punctuated with interviews from a dozen successful writers who offer their own nuggets of wisdom, and include samples of their writing. Michael hammers out numerous timeless feature article ideas using a SHOP format: Selection, History, Observation and Perspective. These proven techniques get his journalism students bylines in newspapers and magazines long before graduation. Featurewriting.net is a must-have handbook for both new and experienced writers from journalism students, freelance writers and anyone interested in penning feature articles.

*The* Feature Writing Tool

This book explores the how-tos of the art known as feature writing by an adept author, professor and, as he notes in the book, wordsmith. Not only does he provide instructional information but also very practical information from interviews compiled from various noteworthy journalists like George Archibald, professors of writing and many others. Smith lays out a simple technique called "SHOP," which provides the major structure any good feature story should have. He further breaks done that technique into a suggested writing formula, but he doesn't demand that readers stick to every detail. Instead, he does encourage deviation and exploration of one's own unique writing style so long as you stay within the basic SHOP essentialist framework. It's a great resource any aspiring feature writer should read to glean valuable information and even a lengthy collection of story ideas, contacts and suggested approaches for you to apply your skills. Each chapter also provides for exercises that put into use the skills stressed throughout. Check it out.