Please read "Writing the How-To article" and "Your 1st spring triathlon plan." Your next article assignment is going to be a "how-to" piece and you need to start coming up with ideas. In addition to the topic, think about how you would package the article (side bars? graphics?).So for this blog, please share with us two of your ideas. Describe the story and pitch it to us. Tell us how you would package it. Also, start to think about the publication(s) you might pitch this to. Why would they be interested? How might it fit what they do?
Due: Feb. 10 @ 5 p.m.
One idea I thought I could expand on was the idea I had from the walkabout about finding great views on campus. It would probably be more about how to find a fresh perspective on life and your usual surroundings than really a factual how-to. I think sometimes people don't realize they can find something new and exciting even when they've been stuck in the same routine and place for a while. I would package this at least with photos of interesting places. I could also include a sidebar of places to see on campus and organize them according to if they're more nature-oriented or building-focused. I think I could pitch this to The Universe. This obviously applies to BYU. Stories related to BYU and student life are a large part of what The Universe focuses on. This story would especially apply to college students and their lives here. Winter semester can be exhausting. I think students could use a reminder and some simple advice on how to spice up their view of life. With some good writing and examples, it might even inspire some BYU pride, too.
ReplyDeleteI also thought I could go to the craft/DIY mindset and write a story on how to make your own cost-effective bookcase. Mormons are typically pretty into do-it-yourself projects. We like to save money and learn how to do things on our own. I have a passion for books, and one day I was talking to a guy I know about how, in the distant future, I really wanted to make my own bookcase. I don't know how big of a skill that is for people around here, but this guy I know is really into woodworking. He makes all kinds of things. He said he'd teach me. This could be more focused on how to turn yourself into a woodworker, but I thought the idea was a good one. Usually on Pinterest I don't see many bookcase-making pins--just pins on cool bookcases you can buy (which are great, too). I would package this story with photos and maybe graphics simplifying steps or comparing different kinds of woods. I don't know if there are any local or semi-local woodworking magazines, or if any of them would already have done this type of thing, but I could check that out. I could also just pitch it to The Universe. Like I said earlier, I feel like BYU students like to learn new skills and would find this interesting.