I don’t normally blog about writing or writing tips, because quite frankly I don’t really think that much about how I write, or how someone should write. I simply write. Not to mention I’ve only ever taken one writing class in my entire life and that was back in high school, so who am I to say how best to be a writer? That being said, in the past couple of weeks I have come across the same mistake more often than normal, and now I’m annoyed that this might be becoming a trend. What is that mistake you ask? Bloggers burying the lead. Now I am not a journalist by any stretch of the imagination, however I did write for a newspaper for four years, and became well acquainted with the concept. If you don’t grab your reader’s attention and tell them what your piece is about within the title and first couple of sentences, then they’re going to get bored and move on. People don’t like to dig for the lead.
Dogs on the other hand . . .
Sometimes if the title is really catchy, or the topic is one that I am very interested in, I will give the piece a paragraph or two. What kills me though, is how many blog pieces or articles I have read in the past couple of weeks that buried the lead so thoroughly that even after two paragraphs the writer still hadn’t gotten to the crux of the piece. What the hell! I have an entire internet of pieces that I can read and out of all of them I chose yours. Yet, you can’t even bother to get to the point within two paragraphs? Good lord! Nobody has time for that!
Okay, maybe you grew up reading Woolf and Dickens and you want to emulate them. Maybe you love the way that they take three pages to describe the surroundings, the people, the feelings and the emotions before getting to the point. That’s great. I love them too. However, they were writing NOVELS in a time before radio or television, not BLOG POSTS for the internet talking about why schools banning yoga pants is asinine. Not to mention, loath as I am to contradict your mother, you don’t write as well as Woolf or Dickens. SO GET TO THE POINT!
A high word count does not guarantee a good blog post any more than using big words will guarantee you sound intelligent. Both of those scenarios can produce those outcomes, when used correctly. However, when used incorrectly you lose your credibility and audience. Stop losing your credibility and audience and let people enjoy what you have to say! If you’re not sure if you’re burying the lead give your titles and first paragraphs from a couple of blogs to a friend and ask them to tell you what each blog is about. If they get it wrong, or are unsure, you’re burying the lead. Don’t have a friend handy? Go over some of your older blogs yourself. If you get it wrong, then you’re really burying the lead. Get out your shovels friends and unearth your leads. Not only for your own benefit, but mine . . . okay, mostly mine.
