Twanna A. Hines @ FUNKYBROWNCHICK.com | sex. dating. relationships.

How to Write an Article

“So, how does that work?” It’s a question I’m often asked when I tell people I’m a writer. I’ve never blogged about the process of turning and idea into an article because I didn’t think folks would find the inked details particularly interesting. But, I’m learning that people like to hear the itty bitty tidbits behind the creative process. It’s kind of like watching a DVD, no? Sure, the finished film is great, but sometimes the story about its making is equally interesting.

In journalism, a pitch (also sometimes called a query letter) is basically a really short summary of an article idea sent by a writer to an editor. For example, see Marci Alboher’s pitch letter that scored her first ink in the New York Times. In 2000, Marci was a nine-year veteran lawyer and self-professed “Internet junkie” proposing to write about using the web to answer common legal problems. It was an article suggestion about a good topic sent by a qualified person to the correct editor at a suitable publication at the right time. Same holds true for many writers’ pieces.

Take my Facebook article, for example. The idea for that one came about when my friend Julia removed her dating status and accidentally blabbed to all of her online pals — including her then-boyfriend! — that the relationship was off. But, Julia wasn’t alone. Everyone around me had similarly juicy online breakups stories or knew someone who did. Also, I remembered journalist Thomas Crampton’s affair. Ooh, ooh, ooh, and plus, Facebook was in the news. People don’t read magazines to find out what happened yesterday. They read to find out what’s going on right now and what’s going to happen tomorrow — in fashion, health, technology, science, relationships, etc.

I thought an article about how Facebook is affecting our relationships would be timely, and I wanted editors to know I was the right person to write the piece. I earned a BA and an MA in the social sciences, and I’m obsessed with understanding how people related to each other. I write a blog column about my relationships for Nerve magazine. I also manage two of my own blogs and host an occasional internet radio show called Dating Roadkill. What’s more? I’ve been online since building my first webpage with straight HTML coding in 1995, and I’m addicted to social networking sites like LinkedIn and, yes, Facebook. What’s even more than that? I’m a writer who has already published a book chapter and articles about interpersonal relationships. The result? Right article. Right topic. Right person. Right time. I sent the piece to Fast Company — a kickass glossy magazine and website about (among other things) technology and innovation. They published my piece, “Is Facebook Hurting or Helping Your Relationships?” as their Valentine’s Day web exclusive.

I’m off to my writing group tonight. After that, I’ll return home to finish up a piece due tomorrow. (Will post the link once its published.) Anyway, so, there’s a random bit of “how it works” trivia for those who are interested. For those who aren’t interested, feel free to browse through the archives section to find other things of interest. I’m a fan of the open letters, New York, understanding men and understanding women categories. C’est tout! Join us again tomorrow when we return to our regularly scheduled program of dating goofdom.

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Photo credit: Patricia Fortes in Buenos Aires, Argentina