How to write a column

Well, really what they said about use of quotes applies to writing just about anything, but it looks like there was an interesting panel discussion at the APSE conference. Wish I could have been there.

http://apsportseditors.org/newsletter/from-the-conference-columnists-share-their-wisdom-on-the-craft/

 

I'm solidly in the "quotes aren't necessary and certainly not necessary to end a column" camp.

 

Thanks, Jake. Me, too.

 

I think I fall in the "it depends on the story" camp. Sometimes I'm interviewing somebody and thinking they are writing it for me with all the great quotes. Other times I'm getting mostly background with a couple of poignant statements worth quoting.

 

All columns are different. Sometimes, you're thinking out loud, as it were, and quotes are not needed at all. Sometimes, you're telling a story about a person, and that person's quotes are absolutely necessary. There's no rules except doing the best you can in (you hope) a way nobody's thought about the event/person/topic before.

 

Quit ending columns with meaningless kickers, I say.

Example:

"It all comes down
to this season," Jockboy
said. "This is my big chance."
Indeed.

 

The "indeed" ending is a hacky hack hacksters kicker. Few things bug me more.

 

I like to end my columns in mid-sentence so the readers have a reason to come back.

 

Always leave them wanting more, so they'll

 

Indeed.

 

Now that's just funny, don't care who ya are.

 

kickers have their time and place but are more often than not unnecessary. some writers, especially young writers, don't understand why it's often overkill. this is where good editors come in.