Magazine writers launching those 'How-to' stories

SACRAMENTO, Calif., USA - The how-two stories being tackled by the writers in the Magazine Writing class at CSU, Sacramento are not pedestrian - though one does deal with shoes.

The shoe story is actually about ballet shoes - point shoes they are called - the shoes that make all that standing on tippy-toes possible for ballet dancers, it turns out. And when the shoes are purchased, they have to be broken in just so, or else they will be a super pain for the dancer.

Who woulda thunk it?

So is there a market for such a piece? Probably, the class agreed tonight. We'll see. But even if not, now we will know how to break in point shoes. You never know when such things come in handy.

Other stories in process include a piece on how to be prepared to take care of horses during a natural disaster (like a fire or flood). Another is on airline security and all the ways to avoid being the person everyone hates because you forgot your pocket knife, in, well, your pocket.

There were too many good stories to recount them all here.

But in addition to writing the stories (due Oct. 5 by class time via email and in hard copy), the writers will be writing query letters to magazines to try to sell their articles.

Buena suerte, amigos.

Column writers get to take a look at 'real life' issues

SACRAMENTO, Calif., USA - The columnists in my column-writing class have been assigned to write a slice-of-life column, something based on an experience they have had since school started, or possibly something that happened to someone close to them.

For me, (if I were to do this assignment myself) I could write about:
How I wriggled out of jury duty
The visit of my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter from Mexico
Living in the bad air of Sacramento, again
Besting the DMV at its own game
or possibly the university furlough dilemma

Given the wide range of life experiences the class is likely to have had in the past few weeks, these columns should be a real hoot to read.

At least I hope so.

The column deadline is the same, Tuesday at 8 a.m. to post and send an email to the class, letting classmates know a new column is up and ready to be read (and critiqued).


Life is a learning experience T-shirt

Latest columns are up - some winners among the pack

SACRAMENTO, Calif., USA - All of the columns that made deadline (and a few that seem to have trickled in a little late) have had a cursory review and will be the subject of the Column Writing class tomorrow at CSU, Sacramento.

It appears that the column writers are much happier writing about their pet topics than the rally that was assigned the week prior.

No surprise there.

Columns that I would recommend especially out of this batch include:

Another Point of View

The Glover Posting

The Facts of Life

But check them all out...

Very different topics and perspectives, but each good first shots at writing a specialized column.


Resting up for next Tuesday's deadline

Magazine writers start writing 'how-to' articles

SACRAMENTO, Calif., USA - The cadre of magazine writers in Journalism 132 have been launched to start writing their first drafts of their first stories - 600-word opuses on various topics of 'how-to' do things.

The topics range from building computers (explain that in 600 words!) to how to be a dynamic waitress to running a background criminal check - on yourself.

They should make for some very interesting reading.

As in the case of the columns written by the Column Writing class, the blogs created by J132 will be posted on this page. In the case of these magazine writers, the blogs might not be quite as polished as they are drafts and in fact, the writers would like outside comments.

In the meantime, I was excused from jury duty Monday after a long day at the courthouse. I'll detail out that adventure in a different blog, perhaps later today.

Right now I need to begin reading the latest specialty columns (with links to which are on the side of this page), turned in by the Column Writing class.

Snagged by jury duty, several classes are off the hook

SACRAMENTO, Calif., USA - The recorded message at the Sacramento County Courthouse was quite clear: If you are in juror group 210, report to the jury commissioner's office at 8 a.m. Monday Sept. 14. Do not pass Go, Do no collect $200.

Ok, I added the Do not pass Go part, but the rest is true.

So, three of my four Monday classes, Two sections of basic newswriting and my Column Writing class, are off the hook for class attendance.

The column writers, however, do have an assignment due Tuesday at 8 a.m. They are going to be posting a column about their particular areas of specialty.

Unless I am actually empaneled on a jury, I should be able to read them in the courthouse via my ITouch and make comments from there.

Justice will be served.


Pauly Shore in Jury Duty