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 This is a continuation of my blogging here at WdC |
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This will be a blog for my writing, maybe with (too much) personal thrown in. I am hoping it will be a little more interactive, with me answering questions, helping out and whatnot. If it falls this year (2024), then I may stop the whole blogging thing, but that's all a "wait and see" scenario. An index of topics can be found here: "Writing Blog No.2 Index"  Feel free to comment and interact. |
| Column Writing Now, I make a little bit of pocket money writing columns about various aspects of pop culture and I was asked how easy it is to get into. Well, to be honest, I’ve been doing it for a long time, and I lucked into it because of the fact I was a professional wrestler and a drummer. But I also started in the 2000s when there was a lot more written stuff online as opposed to the podcast/vlogs that are so popular now. Still, I do make some money writing these columns so I thought I’d go through what I do to write the different sorts of columns I write. Lists These are the most common things I write. Here’s an example: Songs that mention guinea pigs. So, first, I need a topic. This could be easy or, as in the case above, a challenge. So, for music I either have to go through my music collection or rely on my memory. Then you need a good number. 10 is a decent minimum, 12, 15 and 20 are good numbers. More than 20 and you start to try the patience of a reader. Then you need to write a little bit about each. The more entries, the less you write. Most of my lists are music, films or books, but you can write lists about anything. Like: Terrible movie monsters. Reviews These are the next most common thing I do. It could be an album, a movie, a DVD, a wrestling show, anything. There is one real rule here – you cannot fake it! You need to listen to the album, see the film, read the book, watch the show! You cannot fake it by reading a summary on the Internet – the readers will know. I recommend twice through, though that is hard for books. With anything plot-orientated, you cannot give away spoilers. Talk about more than peripherals – go into a little bit of depth. Some people like to do research on those artists involved as well, but I don’t. An example: This is Deadpool And Wolverine There can also be review lists, which I have been encouraged to do. This is when I do a number of shorter reviews in one column. However, when I did wrestling reviews, they liked the reviews to be a 10-list: This is a ’10 thoughts’ on a match they wanted reviewed. Memorials This is when I eulogise someone who has recently died. If they are a film-maker or musician, then I’ll do it as a list of my favourites, but sometimes that does not work because of who the person is. Like: This is about Hulk Hogan. These are ones I find toughest to write, but if I feel I can add to the conversation, then I will. Rankings These are a specialised form of list and one I don’t do very often because they got very few hits and the company needs to make money. This is where I rank in order something in a particular niche. On YouTube these are tier videos, but in written form they just did not hit. Still, I did too many: Ranking versions of War Of The Worlds across media These have been there, though, and some sites do them all the time. Places This is sort of a review, but it’s when I visit a place. The main difference is that I am expected to take photographs as well. So, it’s basically a visiting review, and these can be difficult if the place is boring. You need to ensure you include addresses, contact details, etc. This includes things like zoos, parks, restaurants, hiking trails, anything people can go to. In Australia, if you take money from the place when writing about it for another site unrelated to the place, that is considered a conflict of interest and you will be fined, so don’t do it. An example of a place: Sevenhill winery Events Similar to places, except the event has not happened yet and so you have to get people interested enough to come along and visit. It can be difficult to write about based on the future, and pictures often have to be supplied by the organisers. But, again, we are not allowed to take double money for these things either. I find these rather challenging, but they can be a lot of fun. Often I get free tickets with the proviso I then write an honest review afterwards. An example: The Wallaroo Psychic Fair Opinion Pieces This is one I enjoy, but not many places I write for gives me the chance to spread my wings in this direction. To take a topic and give my own personal views on it, knowing I have a platform, is wonderful. Like I said, I don’t get many opportunities, but I do like to think I think things through well when I have to. Like: Does time matter when it comes to famous people? Two last things about column writing – you need an opening and a closing. You can’t just jump in, and I hope I have demonstrated that engaging introduction in all of these columns, as well as a nice way to close it out. Next, with automatic thumb-nailing, you need at least one static image. And that is column writing! |
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