‘Write Your Heart Out’: A day of writing instruction, inspiration
October 1, 2011 by Steve Buttry
I enjoyed a rare treat Saturday: a writing workshop. I’ve been to dozens of writing workshops through the years, some as a participant, some as a speaker. But I don’t think I’ve been to a full-day writing workshop since 2008. But Saturday at Georgetown University, I enjoyed a full day focused on writing.
Most of my teaching these days relates to digital journalism skills related to writing: tweeting, curating, crowdsourcing, blogging. But Saturday’s workshop was just about writing.
I combined (as I like to do) old-school with digital: live-tweeting the event. And now I’ve used Storify to curate it. If you couldn’t join us, I hope this will give you some of the flavor. If you were there, I hope this supplements your notes and helps you apply some of the writing lessons.
I always enjoy a day focused on good writing.
| “ |
“Write Your Heart Out” w/ @HoyaJournalism & @Poynter. (@ ICC Building, Georgetown University) http://4sq.com/pGTDjY |
|
|
| “ |
First writing workshop I’ve ever been to that started w/a keyboard serenade. Now he’s taking requests! |
|
|
| “ |
This morning, I’m learning to be a better journalist at @Poynter seminar #writeheartout. So many new people to meet! |
|
|
| “ |
@roypeterclark speaks to packed auditorium (incl. @HoyaJournalism students) at G’town, Poynter& WaPo writing workshop. http://t.co/IeT4PSaq |
|
|
| “ |
.@RoyPeterClark’s 50 Writing Tools “are tools, not rules”: nuts & bolts, special effects, blueprints, useful habits. #writeheartout |
|
|
I first heard Roy Peter Clark use music to teach writing about 16 years ago, as I recall. I’ve seen him teach writing more times than I can recall — at Poynter and on the road. I’ve blogged about Roy and his Writing Tools, the focus of this workshop’s opening session.
 |
Updated Q and A with Roy Peter Clark about Writing Tools
I’ve been updating old posts from my Training Tracks blog here, trying to resurrect my contributions to the No Train, No Gain archives. Usually I provide a brief update at the end. This post, however, was about Roy Peter Clark reaching the halfway point of his series, “Writer’s Toolbox.”
|
Roy plugged three writing books at the workshop, Writing Tools (which I read and recommend), The Glamor of Grammar and Help! for Writers (both of which I recommend though I haven’t read them yet). He didn’t talk about Coaching Writers, an oldie that helped me greatly as an editor and writing coach.
 |
Writing Tools
eBook, January 10, 2008 Little, Brown & Company Reprint, January 10, 2008 Little, Brown & Company September 28, 2006 Little, Brown & Company One of America’s most influential writing teachers offers a toolbox from which writers of all kinds can draw practical inspiration. “Writing is a craft you can learn,” says Roy Peter Clark.
|
| “ |
At Poynter writing workshop today at Georgetown. Great handout by @RoyPeterClark on writing tools. http://t.co/xwDxQDkX #writingtips |
|
|
 |
Fifty Writing Tools: Quick List | Poynter.
Use this quick list of Writing Tools as a handy reference. Copy it and keep it in your wallet or journal, or near your desk or keyboard. Share it and add to it. 1. Begin sentences with subjects and verbs.Make meaning early, then let weaker elements branch to the right.
|
As often as I’ve seen Roy work, I was a little skeptical when he said he’d teach all 50 writing tools in an hour and a half. I wasn’t surprised, though, that he did it masterfully. He read the tools from a handout, zeroing in on some for a quick minute or two, others for a few minutes.
| “ |
. @RoyPeterClark using “Three Blind Mice” & Three Stooges to teach lesson about writing structure. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
ha! wonder how he did that? RT @stevebuttry: @RoyPeterClark using “Three Blind Mice” & Three Stooges to teach lesson about writing structure |
|
|
| “ |
Whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on as @RoyPeterClark teaches us to break creative act down into its parts & give them names. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
@mwecker You had to be here. He teaches w/ piano. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
@mwecker It’s amazing. I’ve seen him do this several times & it never gets old. #writeheartout |
|
|
This was what Roy was doing with “Three Bllind Mice.” He broke that simple tune into its parts, showing what we were going to do with the writing tools. Yeah, I was right, you had to be there.
| “ |
So that was famed writing coach Roy Peter Clark on the keyboard. Love it. Happy to finally be in one of his seminars. |
|
|
| “ |
Henny Youngman “take me wife” joke punctuated 6 ways in top 20 Google hits @RoyPeterClark says. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
“It’s the specific that helps us see,” says @RoyPeterClark. Get the name of the dog, the brand of the beer. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
In using examples, 2 divides the world; 3 encompasses the world, @RoyPeterClark says. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
would u plz clarify “@stevebuttry: In using examples, 2 divides the world; 3 encompasses the world, @RoyPeterClark says. #writeheartout” |
|
|
| “ |
@AlienMedia 2 can show contrast, but 3 shows pattern or trend. |
|
|
| “ |
@AlienMedia 2 shows contrast (black & white), but 3 shows pattern, unity or trend (Father, Son & Holy Spirit). |
|
|
| “ |
Writing Tool 23 really helpful: “Tune your voice. Read drafts aloud.” @RoyPeterClark #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
I always do “@stevebuttry: Writing Tool 23 really helpful: “Tune your voice. Read drafts aloud.” @RoyPeterClark #writeheartout” |
|
|
| “ |
Smart editors read aloud too. RT@stevebuttry Writing Tool 23 helpful: “Tune your voice. Read drafts aloud.” @RoyPeterClark #copyeditors |
|
|
| “ |
Writing Tool 37 ideal for Twitter: “In short pieces of writing, don’t waste a syllable. Shape shorter works w/ wit & polish. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
“I’ve never run a marathon, but I could… if you gave me 52 days to finish it.” -Roy Peter Clark on pacing your work |
|
|
| “ |
“You don’t write just with your hands & your head, you write w/ your feet,” says @RoyPeterClark. Get out & gather info. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Writing is process of collecting & selecting. Collect lots of rocks, then select the gems, says @RoyPeterClark. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Next @RoyPeterClark will be about short writing. Wonder how long it will be. #writeheartout |
|
|
That should say “Next @RoyPeterClark book” will be about short writing. A rather important word to omit from the tweet.
| “ |
“The queen, my lord, is dead.” Order strong words at beginning & end, says @RoyPeterClark. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
All humor is predicated on principle of period = full stop, says @RoyPeterClark. It’s not “please, take my wife.” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Writers have stronger muscles of negative criticism than positive, says @RoyPeterClark. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Now @RoyPeterClark is using Dr. Evil to teach writing lessons. All the good business happens at the end. #writeheartout |
|
|
Note how each sentence in the Dr. Evil speech ends with the strongest word:
| “ |
White space is most powerful punctuation, @RoyPeterClark says. It ventilates writing. Paragraph length sets pace of story. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Place the most powerful fact in the shortest sentence, @RoyPeterClark says. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Screenwriter Robert McKee says good stories start w/ inciting incident that interrupts normal life. #writeheartout |
|
|
 |
Dramatica.com
How and Why Dramatica is Different from Robert McKee’s book,”Story” by Chris Huntley For the sake of convenience, I have pulled information from the article, “How and Why Dramatica is Different from Five Other Story Paradigms,” to compare Dramatica only with Robert McKee’s book “Story.”
|
| “ |
Report differs from story. Report=info. Story=experience. Report points you there. Experience puts you there. @RoyPeterClark #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Reports gave quotes, sources who are heard. Stories have dialogue, overheard as characters speak in scenes. @RoyPeterClark #writeheartout |
|
|
That’s a typo. Should say, “Reports have quotes.” And I should have used a stronger verb than “have.” Sigh. If only you could edit tweets.
| “ |
Great opening session by @RoyPeterClark for #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
ICYMI: Good read: What song titles teach us about making headlines stand out By @RoyPeterClark http://t.co/sRUJ2Wvz |
|
|
Here’s that link, not part of Saturday’s program, but another example of Roy using music to teach about writing:
|
What song titles teach us about making headlines stand out | Poynter.
Writers think about titles all the time, not just for their own stories, but for the work of others they admire. “What are you working on?” friends have asked. “A new book about how to live inside the English language,” I’d say. The original title of “Treasure Island” was “The Sea Cook.”
|
| “ |
Keith Woods & Lonnae O’Neal Parker now talking about personal essays. #writeheartout |
|
|
Keith Woods is another friend. When he was at Poynter and I was at the American Press Institute, we did a faculty exchange: Keith leading a discussion for one of my API seminars, and me joining the Poynter faculty for one of his seminars. I have not met Parker.
 |
Keith Woods : NPR
Keith Woods is NPR’s Vice President for Diversity in News and Operations. In this newly created senior management role, Woods leads the development of NPR’s vision and strategy for diversity, and plays a central role in its implementation across the NPR newsroom, throughout the organization and in the public radio community as a whole.
|
 |
Lonnae Parker – Reporter
The Post MostMost-viewed stories, videos, and galleries in the past two hours There are no discussions scheduled today. Sign-up for e-mail newsletters and alerts and get the news you need delivered directly to your inbox. See all Washington Post Newsletters Lonnae O’Neal Parker is a reporter on the Metropolitan staff who has been working with the investigative unit this year on its D.C.
|
| “ |
“I don’t know what’s in the story until I write it.” – Keith Woods. Start with subject, discover significance. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Keith Woods: Personal essay succeeds when “the story allows you to find your story in mine” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Woods: Personal essay is rooted in a “potent moment” with greater meaning. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
“Have an editor you can fight with.” – Lonnae O’Neal Parker (Amen.) |
|
|
| “ |
Woods: Potent moment: You don’t know what’s in the story until you write it. Just know you have to “dig right here.” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Woods: Take that moment & add the sensual elements. What did you see? Hear? Smell? Feel? #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Parker advice (from a friend): Write in heat. Edit in cold blood. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Parker asked about environment: Headphones help her shut out distractions & listen to her “essential self.” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Woods: Quotes inform in retrospect. Dialogue is right here & right now. Dialogue changes rhythm, reveals characters.” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Woods: We always clean up some language, but be true to how a person speaks. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Woods: I often tell the story many times before I write it. #writeheartout |
|
|
Woods and Parker read all or excerpts of some of their personal essays. I didn’t try tweeting them, but found these online:
|
Five Years Later: A Letter To New Orleans : NPR
Keith Woods is NPR’s vice president for diversity in News and Operations and is the former dean of the faculty at the Poynter Institute, a training center for professional journalists in St. Petersburg, Fla. Woods was born in New Orleans, where he worked for 16 years as a journalist at The Times-Picayune.
|
 |
Queen for a Day
By the time we reach the top of the stairs, the sequins are in full effect. The money-taker waves me through with my 15-year-old daughter, Sydney — but not before pointing out that my dress needs a few little baubles to pretty-up my decolletage. Too bad, I think.
|
|
Balm: By styling her daughters’ hair each morning, she was attending to something deeper than a beauty ritual
Soon now, these days will be gone from me. As I settle myself on the couch, my 11-year-old daughter, Savannah, brings me her hair basket: comb, water bottle, hair grease, barrettes. She plants herself on the floor, squarely between my knees, and I begin my work.
|
| “ |
Next up at #writeheartout: @geneweingarten. I’m looking forward to some good branding advice. |
|
|
I’m a longtime admirer of Gene Weingarten (before he won his two Pulitzers). In June, we exchanged views about branding of journalists.
 |
Gene Weingarten: How “branding” is ruining journalism
I am honored that you have chosen me as the subject of your journalism school graduate thesis. At the behest of your instructor, you e-mailed me to ask how I’ve “built my personal brand over the years.” I’m answering with this column.
|
|
Gene Weingarten knows branding (even though he scorns it)
June 24, 2011 by Steve Buttry Update: Joe Grimm is leading a workshop on building your personal brand. Update: I have blogged about my own personal branding strategy. Update: I used Storify to curate discussion of this issue on various blogs and Twitter. Update: Weingarten has responded twice.
|
I had the busiest day ever on my blog Friday, thanks to the power of Gene Weingarten’s brand.
Gene did not discuss branding Saturday. But he did discuss farts.
| “ |
First question for @geneweingarten from @RoyPeterClark is about his Twitter avatar: Gene’s, not Roy’s. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
At a Poynter journalism seminar and Roy Peter Clark asked @geneweingarten about his avatar & “immaturity.” Calls him a mad genius, yes! |
|
|
Gene explained that the avatar is a rubber novelty item.
| “ |
.@RoyPeterClark interviewing @geneweingarten on humor writing now at @Poynter’s #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
“What is the first joke ever told? …a fart.” Sex or bodily functions drive 80% of all jokes. –@geneweingarten |
|
|
| “ |
Gene Weingarten: The first joke ever told was a fart. I’m still giggling. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
First joke ever told was a fart, says @geneweingarten. I knew he was going to elevate #writeheartout discussion. |
|
|
| “ |
Im very important as a philosopher — @geneweingarten |
|
|
| “ |
I’m just not going to do justice to this scatological/philosophical discussion between @geneweingarten & @RoyPeterClark. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
.@geneweingarten telling about losing rented car at mall. Been there, done that. This is going to get to writing. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
“As a columnist, I whore my life constantly,” @geneweingarten says. “No one’s privacy is safe in my family.” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
.@geneweingarten retelling story he told at Mayborn conference about smoking dope w/ non-voter for 2004 story. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Source wasn’t trusting @geneweingarten & lit hash pipe & he decided in that instant to smoke w/ source. Got better story. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
@stevebuttry @geneweingarten do you advocate breaking the law for the sake of a story? |
|
|
| “ |
I don’t. RT @StanFinger: @stevebuttry @geneweingarten do you advocate breaking the law for the sake of a story? |
|
|
| “ |
.@geneweingarten says he once agreed to smoke pot with a source to get him to loosen up in profile interviews. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Details: http://t.co/sadJ51FG MT jeffsonderman .@geneweingarten once smoked pot with a source to get him to loosen up. |
|
|
| “ |
Dave Barry definition of sense of humor: extent to which you realize you are trapped in a world devoid of reason. #writeheartout |
|
|
Gene was Barry’s editor at the Miami Herald.
 |
An elegy for Dave Barry.
Dave Barry, who quit his syndicated humor column last week, has been playing dumb for 22 years. Whenever someone suggests that Barry is our noblest social commentator, that he regularly makes the lions of the New York Times editorial page look like bozos, Barry points out that this is impossible,…
|
| “ |
“My next column is due yesterday, and they will get it on Monday.” — @geneweingarten #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Next @geneweingarten column: applying for Andy Rooney’s job. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Column inspiration for @geneweingarten: “What did my wife do that she doesn’t want me to write about?” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
After he gets column idea, he tells editor &!editor tells him it’s bad. & then @geneweingarten ignores editor. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
“I don’t know how much experience you have with editors, but ‘fine’ is a very bad word.” Gene Weingarten at @Poynter. |
|
|
| “ |
.@geneweingarten: “I’m always desperate.” #outofcontexttweets #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
.@geneweingarten on Pulitzers: “It’s a crapshoot. … When you win your next Pulitzer, don’t let it go to your head.” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
“Anyone who’s ever won a Pulitzer will tell you, it’s a crapshoot… Being a finalist means more than winning.” -@geneweingarten (who won 2) |
|
|
 |
The Pulitzer Prizes | Citation
For a distinguished example of feature writing giving prime consideration to quality of writing, originality and concision, in print or online or both, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Awarded to Gene Weingarten of The Washington Post for his haunting story about parents, from varying walks of life, who accidentally kill their children by forgetting them in cars.
|
 |
The Pulitzer Prizes | Citation
For a distinguished example of feature writing giving prime consideration to quality of writing, originality and concision, in print or in print and online, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Awarded to Gene Weingarten of The Washington Post for his chronicling of a world-class violinist who, as an experiment, played beautiful music in a subway station filled with unheeding commuters.
|
| “ |
“Our main goal in writing this book was to make as much money as possible.” @geneweingarten on book @mimijohnson just bought. #writeheartout |
|
|
 |
Who can resist sweet old dogs? Turns out, plenty of people.
Two of my closest friends have new books out. They are excellent, important books, but they aren’t selling well. That’s because the only books that sell well these days are cheesy, suck-uppy, transparently cynical products that make people feel good about something they already believe, such as the book I wrote three years ago.
|
| “ |
.@RoyPeterClark compares @geneweingarten to Shakespeare as comedian & tragedian. Gene says they’re both made of same stuff. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Experience w/ daughter gave @geneweingarten personal connection to tragic story about dad who left baby in car. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
The most important words in your story are the ones you don’t write — the ones you get to pop into the reader’s head. -@geneweingarten |
|
|
| “ |
Gene: The most impt words you write are the ones you don’t, that cause other ones to pop into the reader’s head #writeheartout #hitsthefan |
|
|
| “ |
With humor, @geneweingarten wants it to be funny, but about something bigger. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
“I try to craft it like I’m directing a movie,” says @geneweingarten of his long and tortured editing process. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
For serious pieces, @geneweingarten writes story as a movie because readers read w/ theater in mind. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Echoing @RoyPeterClark from this morning, @geneweingarten cites Dave Barry advice: End joke w/ funniest word underpants. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
.@geneweingarten disagrees w/ statement that writers are born, not made. But for humor, “you need to be a funny person.” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Next up for #writeheartout: Anne Hull on writing w/ detail. |
|
|
 |
The Pulitzer Prizes | Citation
For a distinguished example of meritorious public service by a newspaper through the use of its journalistic resources which, as well as reporting, may include editorials, cartoons, photographs, graphics and online material, a gold medal.
|
| “ |
“There’s no substitute for just writing,” says Hull. “You become a clear writer through reporting.” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Hull learned journalism by watching & asking as copy clerk in St. Pete Times newsroom. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Hull always brings camera & recorder on stories. She looks at photos while doing stories. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
“I take notes constantly, Hull says. Watching is one of the most valuable skills. Be quiet & take notes. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Dialogue is the soul of the story, Hull says. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Reassuring words from Anne Hull: everyone has their own way of doing journalism. |
|
|
| “ |
Doing story on porn king running for sheriff, Hull wanted to see his bedroom: 4-poster bed w/ Amish quilt. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Often reporters are just visitors, Hull says. Immerse yourself in the place you’re writing about. Place can be a character. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
“Don’t ask what you think you should ask. Ask what you really want to know.” — Pulitzer winner Anne Hull on the art of reporting. |
|
|
Note that Roy Peter Clark made the same point in the opening session.
| “ |
Again: Most good writers read their stuff aloud, Hull says. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Makes us annoying on public transport RT @stevebuttry Again: Most good writers read their stuff aloud, Hull says. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
@edyong209 And in newsroom. |
|
|
| “ |
How about if just your lips move? @stevebuttry “Most good writers read their stuff aloud, Hull says.” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
.@charlesapple Gotta hear it. Hear the rhythm. Clunky phrases don’t clunk if just moving lips. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Hull: David Von Drehle says engine if story is: What happens next? #writeheartout |
|
|
Here’s another typo. That should the engine “of” story.
| “ |
RT @ALundyGlobal: @stevebuttry “Place can be a character.” Gonna make a plaque with that inscription for the newsroom. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Details are important, but selectively so. “Sometimes we need to just say what happened,” Hull says. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
can u provide more detail on that? RT @stevebuttry: Details are important, but selectively so. “Sometimes we need to just say what happened” |
|
|
| “ |
@mwecker She read a nice passage from WaPo White House butler story. Story needed to move forward quickly at that point. #writeheartout |
|
|
 |
A Butler Well Served by This Election
For more than three decades Eugene Allen worked in the White House, a black man unknown to the headlines. During some of those years, harsh segregation laws lay upon the land. He trekked home every night, his wife, Helene, keeping him out of her kitchen.
|
| “ |
“Towns that are barely holding on have carpeted malls.” -Anne Hull #writeheartout |
|
|
One of the strongest examples Hull used of her writing was a story about a woman trying to hitchhike out of New Orleans with her grandson after Hurricane Katrina.
|
Hitchhiking From Squalor to Anywhere Else
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 2 — The woman and child walked toward the interstate exit ramp. She held his hand and he held a box of Scooby-Doo cereal. “Granny,” he said, “where are we going?” Adrienne Picou didn’t know the answer.
|
| “ |
Hull writes a mini-outline for every story, however big or small. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Anne Hull hates explaining to sources that commenters will say terrible things about them when the story is published. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Get all the paperwork, Hull says. It verifies their accounts & provides essential details. “Always try to get documentation” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Example of zigging where others zag: For Madonna story, Hull hung out in restroom, wrote about girls trying to look like her #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Anne Hull hates explaining to sources that commenters will say terrible things about them when the story is published. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Final #writeheartout session: Kathleen Parker & Eugene Robinson discussing opinion writing. |
|
|
If you’re keeping track, this is four Pulitzer Prize winners for the day (winners of five, since Gene Weingarten has two).
 |
The Pulitzer Prizes | Citation
For distinguished commentary, in print or online or both, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Awarded to Kathleen Parker of The Washington Post for her perceptive, often witty columns on an array of political and moral issues, gracefully sharing the experiences and values that lead her to unpredictable conclusions.
|
 |
The Pulitzer Prizes | Citation
For distinguished commentary, in print or online or both, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Awarded to Eugene Robinson of The Washington Post for his eloquent columns on the 2008 presidential campaign that focus on the election of the first African-American president, showcasing graceful writing and grasp of the larger historic picture.
|
| “ |
.@Eugene_Robinson tries to write about Washington w/o showing “Stockholm syndrome.” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Parker writes column to one person: favorite aunt who won’t judge her. @Eugene_Robinson “You have relatives like that?” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Parker just writes column w/o notes because the column is in her head, not her notes. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Parker was reading column selected in anthology “and I just cringed.” She hates the stuff she’s written. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Parker: “I assume that all readers are just like me — smart, funny, cute.” Even readers who disagree have much in common. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Parker sends columns w/ outdated cultural references to son for help updating. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
“My motto is, ‘if you can’t be good, be current,” @Eugene_Robinson says. #writeheartout |
|
|
The columnists discussed Robinson’s controversial column this week, saying that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie needs to lose some weight.
 |
Chris Christie”s big problem
Whether or not he lets himself be persuaded to run for president, Chris Christie needs to find some way to lose weight. Like everyone else, elected officials perform best when they are in optimal health. Christie obviously is not. You could argue that this is none of my business, but I disagree.
|
| “ |
“Basically he said Obama is God and Christie is fat.” Kathleen Parker recaps Eugene Robinson’s recent column: http://j.mp/nDDKH8 |
|
|
| “ |
.@Eugene_Robinson wrote that Christie needs to find some way to lose weight, whether he runs for prez or not. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Weight is “elephant in the room” with Christie, @RoyPeterClark says. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Robinson: “I mean, the man is morbidly obese.” Parker: “… and now he knows it.” |
|
|
| “ |
“Unsolicited advice” is part of columnist’s job, @Eugene_Robinson says. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
End to @Eugene_Robinson column on Christie: “Eat a salad. And take a walk.” Had no idea about ending till he got there. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Palin column is the one for which Parker is remembered most now. “She was in no way prepared for this office.” #writeheartout |
|
|
 |
Palin Problem
Kathleen Parker writes on NRO: If at one time women were considered heretical for swimming upstream against feminist orthodoxy, they now face condemnation for swimming downstream — away from Sarah Palin.To express reservations about her qualifications to be vice president — and possibly president — is to risk being labeled anti-woman.#ad#Or, as I .
|
| “ |
Ending of Parker column on Palin (telling her to get off McCain ticket: “Fo it for your country.” #writeheartout |
|
|
My big thumb betrayed me (abetted by my lack of proofreading before hitting “tweet.” Of course the actual ending was “Do it for your country.”
| “ |
Columnists rely on reporting from others, but have to dig up & verify many of their own facts, Parker & @Eugene_Robinson say. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Parker advice to wannabe columnists: Just do it. “If you’ve got something to say, say it. In 750 words or less.” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Parker: Wouldn’t it be interesting to write Herman Cain as the real African American. But I decided to let Gene do that. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
“You can’t write it if you don’t believe it,” @Eugene_Robinson says. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Q for Parker & @Eugene_Robinson: Do authenticity & passion suffer in one medium. Parker prefers written medium to TV. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Q for Parker & @Eugene_Robinson: How do you do it. Robinson: I think about tone, pacing, altitude. Anchor w/ detail. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
.@RoyPeterClark: Move up & down ladder of abstraction (citing Updike rant about beer can pop tops). #writeheartout |
|
|
 |
John Updike”s Paean To The Beer Can | Brookston Beer Bulletin
Today is one of my favorite author’s birthdays, John Updike. He grew up in the same small Pennsylvania town that I did – Shillington – and we both escaped to a life of writing. Though I think you’ll agree he did rather better than I did with the writing thing, not that I’m complaining.
|
| “ |
.@Eugene_Robinson recalls boring 38-inch story w/ no variety in paragraph length. You have to let story “breathe.” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
How Parker does column: Shower after getting idea. Make lead catchy. Always write straight-through, “get out of the way.” #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Parker on rewriting: “I love tightening a sentence.” Write something that would make a blurb, quote for syndicate to promo. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
Final words from @RoyPeterClark: A story has the power to transport the reader.” Stories make us feel human. #writeheartout |
|
|
| “ |
#writeheartout wrapping up. Thanks to @HoyaJournalism, @Poynter & @washingtonpost for great program. |
|
|
| “ |
Aliens have kidnapped @stevebuttry: He’s tweeting on – gasp! – writing. (We kid ’cause we love). #writeheartout |
|
|
It was a great day with some great writers. I hope this helped you share it a bit if you missed it.
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
The Buttry Diary 
Good stuff here Steve. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
[…] Maybe, just maybe, attending a workshop can make a difference. As if watching and listening to the writers’ advice and antics would allow us to absorb their talent by simple osmosis. No amount of workshop can make a good writer for these gatherings only provide tools. At most, it offered instruction as much as inspiration. […]
LikeLike
[…] ‘Write Your Heart Out’: a day of instruction, inspiration […]
LikeLike
[…] ‘Write Your Heart Out’: A day of writing instruction, inspiration (stevebuttry.wordpress.com) -7.651481 110.369485 Share this:DiggLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. Categories: Writing Tags: How-to, learning, Writers Resources, Writing, Writing Exercises Comments (0) Trackbacks (0) Leave a comment Trackback […]
LikeLike
[…] on this blog. Here’s a post that features a Storify, and here’s one that talks about an epic Storify that covered a daylong writing […]
LikeLike
[…] I have enjoyed using Storify to curate social media conversations for several blog posts about a writing workshop, Weingarten, live-tweeting court coverage and breaking news and editors’ use of Twitter. […]
LikeLike
[…] ‘Write Your Heart Out': A day of writing instruction, inspiration […]
LikeLike
[…] and Poynter seminars where I’ve been a visiting faculty member or a participant, plus a Poynter road show in Washington, I’ve attended more than a dozen Poynter events in addition to the training conferences. […]
LikeLike
[…] at 10 or more Poynter seminars in St. Petersburg, a few more National Writers’ Workshops, a Write Your Heart Out workshop in Washington and probably a few other conferences. Twice we did email Q&A’s […]
LikeLike