Where to start?

febes

Where do I start with my article? I need to do some research for obvious reasons, but have no idea where to begin! Have just bought 'Research for Writers' by Ann Hoffman off Amazon but it will be a week or so before it arrives. So any help or advice greatly appreciated!

Stan2

What is the article about?

dora

Um, think of all the key points you want to get across and jot them down?

Stan2

You need a striking short opening to grab the attention of the reader.

dora

Yeah like

"Oi, you, don't read that, read THIS"

febes

How women are heroes in time of war stan. Aha, the first thing I need to do is look at all the wars over the past 100 years. I want to look at the support for women, and the support women gave during times of war, up to the present one in Afghanistan. Other than that I am not 100% sure what it is I want to say. I am thinking focussing more on the present time as it is for a modern magazine....

febes

You know, all I need most the time is to come on here and brainstorm with you guys :)

Stan2

Try to put into a few words your aim in this article - this helps to focus the mind. Women are now there in the frontline in war rather than staying at home to keep the homefires burning as in WW2.

dora

[quote=febes] I want to look at the support for women[/quote]

in what way febes, as in women who's men are at war? perhaps you could provide suggestions as to how it could be improved?

dora

[quote=febes]You know, all I need most the time is to come on here and brainstorm with you guys [/quote]

there's a blizzard going inside my head, you woudn't want to be there ;)

febes

Thanks Stan.

Yes dora......or maybe not........perhaps I could? Uh, I dunno :(

dora

yes you can.

first of all define what this support is that you want to talk about, and take it from there

Lurve dora xx

Claudia

Okay, so you have a theme for your article, but you don't know how to focus it?
I would start by doing some research as this will give you clues and ideas on finding that crucial focus.
I do this all the time - even though you might think: well she writes about travel, so the focus is obvious - not so! I have to find a specific focus for each article and it often comes after I've done the research.
For example - I had a commission to write a dive article about a popular dive destination in Malaysia.
Each dive article I write has to have a focus; I can't just say how pretty the fish were.
On this occasion while doing my research I discovered that Jacques Cousteau had showcased the area in a film called 'The Ghost of the Sea Turtles’.
Now, on my visit I had explored a cave area and dive site locally called ‘The Turtle Tomb’ and I had photos of the site and plenty of photos of turtles.
And, voila! I now had my focus and the article virtually wrote itself.

Hope this helps.

febes

Thanks claudia :)

I was thinking 'research first' but didn't know where to start with that either! Well, I have just watched Jeremy Kyle for a few minutes and had an idea. As the magazine I am writing for is focussed a lot on the current war, I think I am going to look into that first. I was going to start way back when, but as I do want to focus it more on the current day to suit the market, I will start there.

You guys are absolutely brilliant :) When I am a super success, you will all get a mention in my acknowledgements :D

Viv

A short interview or quote from a current forces wife would be a good starting point - it makes the piece more real and relevant to what's haopening today, and her input, knowledge, ideas and problems will help steer you towards what needs to be said.

febes

I was thinking that Viv, but I don't know how to approach that subject. I know of a place I can go to and ask if anyone would be interested though.......should it be an interview? If so, I should read the handbook on interviews first!

Stan2

^