Writing a Rock Story

Written by Anita Palmer

ROCK THE WORD: THE ROCK CHURCH WRITERS MINISTRY

Writing a Rock Story

Intimidated by how to start gathering information or how to structure a Rock story? Here are some suggestions.

1. Figure out who your primary source of information is. Often this is the ministry leader, or the person who submitted the story lead.

2. Start fact-gathering. You might start by reading up on the event or ministry on www.theRockSanDiego.org or through www.Google.com. What are the general facts about your subject matter?

3. Set up an interview. Call the primary source. It’s best to talk face to face, perhaps before or after a Rock Church service if he or she is an attender. But if you need to interview by phone, that’s OK too.

4. Conduct the interview.

● Decide if you want to take written notes, or record the interview – whichever is most comfortable to you. But remember that with a recorder, you have to go back and transcribe the conversation. Ask the interviewee for permission to use a recorder, if you decide to.

● Open with conversation, so the interviewee can get comfortable with you.

● Then ask general background questions, like, “How did you get involved with the ministry?” “What interested you in this particular ministry?” “How long have you been involved?” “How many people do you serve with?”

● Next, ask specific questions concerning the main focus of the story. Remember the old journalistic “5 Ws”: who, what, where, when, why, plus how. If you need help with what exact questions to ask, contact one of the leaders of Rock the Word ministry. We’re here to help mentor you.

● Try to think of the reader as you interview: what would you want to know? What draws your curiosity? Always ask the follow-up question – the answer is usually more informative than the initial one.

● Ask the interviewee if there’s anything to add. They usually think of more information that’s crucial. Tell the interviewee he or she can always contact you with follow-up comments.

ASK FOR PHOTOS! Every story needs a photo to go with it. You can take pictures yourself, ask for help from the Rock Church Photographers Ministry, or ask the subject of the story for a photo too. We need signed release forms if the photograph focuses on one or two people. (See Rock the Word for the form.)

5. Go over your notes as soon as possible after the interview. Fill out partial thoughts; circle key ones; mark points that need further questioning. You will need two or three quotes, so watch for good ones that convey info and are engaging. Here is where you will probably be able to decide on your “angle.” There are a hundred ways to approach each story; decide on which seems the most fresh or unique. Go for simple (one main point) and memorable.

6. Set up follow-up interviews or arrange to talk to other people. It’s important to have more than one voice, more than one perspective on a story. Get a quote from a person who works with or supervises or has been helped by the character in the story. But don’t feel as if you have to be exhaustive in research. You’re writing a story that covers one or two typewritten pages, not a book!

7. Check all facts, even if they came from the source. Remember the old journalistic adage, if your mother says she loves you, verify it with two sources.

8. Pull it all together. OK, now you get to shape your masterpiece. J If you’re new at this, follow this loose formula. You can do this!

● Recall what you decided would be your “angle.” Say to yourself in one very specific sentence just what the story is about. For example, you’re not writing about the Military Ministry, your writing about how Mary joined the Military Ministry’s Big Sister program while her husband was at sea and stopped drinking.

● Start with a intriguing quote or fact. Grab the reader. Start specific and in the middle of the action. In other words, don’t write, “The Rock Church has a big Military Ministry… “ Write, “When Mary finally threw out her bottles of tequila she called her big sister to celebrate…”

● Next add the “nut graph.” This is where you can supply some particulars of the event or ministry or whatever you’re writing about.

● Expand the main points with short, simple sentences, and add two or three informative quotes from key people in the story. You’re shooting for a piece that’s 300-500 words long.

● Wrap up with a reminder of the main point.

9. Review and edit. Set aside your first draft, and then come back to it the next day. Read your draft out loud. Ask a friend to read it. You’ll discover awkward phrases or places that are unclear.

10. Submit it to the Rock the Word editor!

A few more tips:

You’re writing for the World Wide Web. In general, people don’t read on the web, they skim. Make each sentence as short as possible. Make each paragraph as short as possible. Start each paragraph with a strong word. Avoid passive verbs: use active construction. Avoid adverbs: use strong verbs that don’t need them. Use lots of direct quotes to convey information. Don’t preach.

Next >