Take a story idea. It can be one you've been working on, or it can be one of the demonstration topics we've been kicking around in class - the Maine coon cat epic, the legacy of the Scottsdale (Ariz.) Fighting Artichokes, whatever. Write the first sentence of a query letter to at least three hypothetical markets that publish one of the common article genres mentioned in the Writer's Digest Handbook. Make sure it passes what I call the "McMurtry test" (see below faor explanation and inspiration). Post your best effort to the blog, and make sure you include all your names so everyone gets credit.
The "McMurtry Test"
This is something I named after Larry McMurtry, a very successful author of midlist novels that get turned into screenplays. The movie "The Last Picture Show" and the TV series "Lonesome Dove" are probably his best-known works. He wrote the novels both are based on, and he worked with the screenplays. In a word, he knows what sells.
And first sentences sell books.
Here's what I learned in fiction writing workshops when I was learning how terribly difficult it is to write fiction - your very first sentence has to be good enough to draw in a reader who's flipping through books on a shelf at the bookstore. If it isn't, he'll put it down and go on to the next book. Here's the hard part: It has to be about what the book's going to be about, it has to introduce a main character, the theme, the setting, that kind of thing. Sort of like what a lede does in our type of writing, but punchier. A couple of days later, I was in a bookstore and tried it on one of McMurtry's novels. Sure enough, it drew me in. I bought the book, took it home and read it. So a few days after that, Debi and looked at a bunch of McMurty's novels. They all started out that way. We took to calling it the "McMurtry test" in our own writing: Does the first sentence grab a reader and suggest what the article's going to be about. If it does, it passes the test.
It didn't take me long to realize I'd better stick to non-fiction, but the McMurtry test stayed witha me.
Let's go to Amazon.com, and I'll demonstrate with two of McMurtry's novels:
- "Lonesome Dove" - click where it says "Click to LOOK INSIDE" and click on "First Pages." The first sentence is, "When Augustus came out on the porch, the blue pigs were eating a rattlesnake - not a very big one."
- "Texasville" - click to look inside, and click on "First Pages." The opening sentence is, "Duane was in the hot tub, shooting at his new doghouse with a .44 Magnum."
Now it's your turn. Do the query exercise, and post your efforts in the comments field below.
10 comments:
I'll use the idea for my feature story. My feature story features my grandmother who has lived in Springfield for 84 years- all of her life.
Home is where the heart is, and Springfield is where Margaret Keen's heart has been for 84 years- and she becomes more proud every year.
1. Cat owners look out! There is a new breed in town and they have something to hiss about! I'm talking about the Maine Coone cat!
2. It's a lynx! It's a raccoon! No wait, it's a Maine Coon!
3. When it comes to catching mice and cat shows, the Maine Coon is all about this!
4. Looking for a big cat that's gentle and skillful in hunting? Well look no further than the Maine Coon Cat!
For an opening sentence or a pitch line for a query on how to make something with artichokes I would say something like...
1.''Lets make an artichoke pie and people will not choke on it.''
2.''People don't choke on what you make for yourself, but you want to see your in-laws to choke on their own words about your cooking.''
I would make the pitch line something funny because then people would want to read the article or people would be like ''what?''
Van Wirth, Julie Haskell, and Rachel Seaber
COMM 309
16 November 2011
Roundup: Our education system has failed. Thousands of college students graduate every year with a mammoth amount of money owed and no hope in finding work. What can they do? Who can they turn to?
How to: It’s a dog eat dog world, this article is how college grads can sharpen their claws. The newly educated need to know how to properly market themselves to compete in this cutthroat professional world.
Profile: Lindleigh graduated college eight months ago. Soon thereafter, she sought professional help in creating a competitive résumé. She has seen over fifty notices of rejection. What is she supposed to do?
1. Some myths and legends are here say, but can a cat actually be crossed with a raccoon or be a descendent of a lynx.
2. Maine Coon cats puts small dogs to shame, so forget the ankle biters and get a healthy 25 pound Maine Coon cat.
3. Imagine what cat would vikings allow on board their ships,that's right the Maine Coon cat.
Katie Dowis
Kristen Nieslawski
Kristin Jordan
Dear Doc,
Fifteen people deserved to die on September 11, 2001. Who are those people, you may ask? The fifteen cowards that caused more pain and destruction than ever could be imagined; and simeltaneously united a country in patriotism and pride.
We have written an article on the the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th and the resulting effects it had people from very different walks of life. We believe this article is perfect for your National Pride publication and will show your readers a different perspective of all that destruction.
Dear Doc,
She thought it she was only thunder. She went back inside only to see that what she believed to be storm front, was actually the first plane smashing into the World Trade Center.
We have interviewed witnesses who were there that fateful day and people who have been directly impacted by this disaster. In our article we have documented the memories and reactions of eyewitnesses who were in NYC during the terrorist attacks and we have attained an emotional recollection that will tug at your heartstrings. We believe this piece will fit perfectly into your General News publication and that your readers will enjoy reading an emotional expression of memories.
I was going to use an article that I wrote on the Euro Crisis. I will be addressing query letters to Entrepeneur Magazine, Perceptive Travel, and Travel + Leisure.
I will be addressing these markets, because, according to the most evil man in history, John Maynard Keynes: "Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist".
While currency markets may seem like confusing moneypits to many people, smart travelers and businesspersons are quickly waking up to the fact that in a constantly changing world where prices are always fluctuating for varying reasons, it is not only important, but vital to maintain a complete understanding of the causes of inflation and deflation.
Katie Dowis
Kristin Jordan
Kristen Nieslawski
Dear Doc,
Ann's heart rate started to drop and emergency c-section surgery had to happen.
1. Why the Main coon is on the top of our list of household pets.
2. Cats play fetch to! The Main coon often enjoys playing fetch with its owner just like a dog.
3. Dogs aren’t the only pets that plays fetch. Main coon cats often enjoy playing fetch with their owners.
4. For those of you who thought only your dog likes to play fetch. Your cat might want in on the game to.
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