Leads make or break articles

For me, the lead is the most difficult aspect of writing an article. The interview process is a breeze and writing the body is even easier. But finding the right words to instill the appropriate setting is key to a good article. That initial focus will either lose readers or capture them.

Depending on your media (newspaper, magazine, Internet, creative journalism or creative writing) the lead defines the piece. For journalists the lead is the most essential aspect. You must incorporate everything you intend to cover in your lead, starting with the most important.

For newspaper journalists, write as though you don’t expect your readers to finish reading the entire article. Hit them up front with the most important facts and ideas that you want them to take from the piece and then trickle down to the less important facts and more in-depth quotes. That’s the biggest difference in newspaper journalism and magazine writing.

In a magazine the writer generally has the ability to add more creativity, and is expected to add a layer of flair. It’s not the cut and dry attitude of newsprint, so put some thought into it.

I’m working on a magazine article right now, but the magazine is a publication of a newspaper and a business magazine on top of that. So my goal is to create a short, interesting piece that is quick to read and full of flavor. Finding the appropriate angle at the beginning is devastatingly necessary. Once I have the first paragraph, the rest of the article will fall into place.

To get there, I study my notes, relive the interview process in my head and pick out the key points. Once I’ve studied my notes, I open a blank document and shut out my surroundings, which is a feat in the ad department of a newsroom. I’m surrounded by ringing phones, clunking copiers and sales reps jabbering away about sales packets — not to mention the jocularity of the graphic designers to my left and their rubber band wars.

I find my concentration, often encouraged by headphones and instrumental music and write a few draft leads. Usually one will stick and the process will begin. But occasionally, I can’t find the right one, so I continue trying new leads or avert my attention elsewhere for a moment by checking my email or reading a brief news article. Sometimes I’ll open a new document and write a quick blog (which is what I’m doing right now). As I temporarily let my thoughts linger on the article while half-heartedly averting my attention, my subconscious mulls over my story and when I return to it, I’ll have a fresh perspective. Occasionally, if I find myself in a real writer’s block I’ll leave my desk for the restroom or even step outside and find a moment to be alone and meditate.

For any media, the first line can make or break a story. Make sure it’s right. Sometimes if I’m really stuck, I’ll go ahead and right the rest of the story and will either find my lead somewhere in the middle, or it will help me focus my story so that I can go back and coddle an appropriate lead.