Write Your Attention Grabbing Headlines With Care

From time to time I peruse the top writing blogs to see what some of my colleagues are up to. I’m particularly fond of Copyblogger as this site dispenses good advice, offering a steady stream of instructive articles introduced to us through the use of snappy headlines.

Regrettable Metaphor

Never reinforce societal stereotypes!

But it was one headline I read recently that made it difficult for me to finish reading the article. The article was titled, “Copywriting 3.0: How to Bounce the Fat Kid off the See-Saw.” I’m sure Erika Napoletano meant no harm when she chose this particular metaphor, but it certainly didn’t make it easy for me to focus on what she wrote once I read the title.

I won’t go into intimate details here, but I personally found the headline crude. Most of the comments left applauded her for what she wrote and included a few quips from people who said they liked her metaphor.

Pejorative Terms

There were also comments from people who took exception with what Napoletano wrote including a very well thought out comment from Jay S. who advocates helping “fat people” accept who they are. She responded to this one comment by saying, “fat has never been a pejorative term as religious and cultural ones have been.”

Oh, really?! I find that statement hard to accept. These days, the buzz has shifted from the way people worship or from making reference to their personal background to the way that they look. In fact, first lady Michelle Obama has made fighting childhood obesity her cause, taking up the mantle of first lady advocacy initially advanced by Dolley Madison.

I could discuss child obesity at length, but I’m not a doctor nor is it my narrative. I do know that overweight kids are often bullied, sometimes battle physical and genetic issues making it difficult for them to maintain their weight, and that these children are usually not part of the group of “cool kids” referenced by Napoletano.

Then again, I’ve known my fair share of “fat kids” who learned to stay away from the shallow thinking “cool kids” and have succeeded despite the slights that still come their way. New Jersey’s governor, Chris Christie, has faced down references to his weight when his opponents thought it important to focus on the way he looked rather than at his proposed policies.

Tactful Headlines

I’m all for writing snappy headlines because they catch the reader’s attention long enough to persuade them to stop and read the rest of the article. But when headlines are personalized, they can also alienate by reinforcing societal stereotypes we should be moving away from.

If you’re thinking I’m making something out of nothing, then go change “fat kid” to “black kid” or “Muslim kid” and see how that phrase plays. Likely, you’ll encounter a firestorm of well deserved wrath for daring to cross the sensitivity divide.

Writing Inspiration Is A Bottomless Well

How do you find inspiration?

I used to argue against the notion that writer’s block exists. Though I believe that this term is factually incorrect because you can always come up with something, your writing may end up lacking clarity and style, two elements essential to a good read.

Perhaps a more unambiguous explanation is to try to find the right words to build something you’ll be proud of–a masterpiece reflecting your knowledge, even passion for a particular subject. In that case I am right with you as I sometimes find myself needing inspiration.

When help is needed, I like to look at some of my favorites sources of writing inspiration a veritable bottomless well of resources to tap. Here are seven of my favorite methods:

1. Periodicals — Sure, much of what we read today can be found online, but there is something about newspaper print and the four-color look and feel of a print magazine that, well, inspires.  Apple’s iPad may work in short order to make hard copies a thing of the past, so I’ll enjoy flipping and folding my newspapers until then or dog earring a favorite magazine article for future reference. Besides, sand and electronic devices do not mix!

2. Weblogs — Blogs have come of age with some operating as the definitive source for a particular subject matter. Easily, for articles about writing I can turn to Copyblogger and Freelance Folder, but some of my most enlightened times have come by reading the writings of an obscure blogger. Naturally, I cite as necessary.

3. Traveling — My family and I just returned from Wilmington, NC where we toured the Battleship North Carolina memorial, stayed at a new hotel, ate out at a different type of restaurant and went to church services Easter Sunday morning. New places, different faces can go far in helping breath fresh life into any writing project.

4. Coffee Houses — One of my favorite places to visit is a local Panera Bread shop. I love the coffee, but I also regularly run into people I know. Those conversations with friends can stimulate me to begin writing as soon as I return home as does “over heard” coffee shop chatter when familiar faces are absent.

5. Outdoors — Call it nature or name it exercise, in any case those times you take strolling around the neighborhood, walking through a park, climbing a hill or running, jogging, biking your way full speed ahead can inspire. When the weather is good I find that breaking up my day by taking a walk after lunch gets my mind in gear.

6. Sensory Stimulus — Some people find inspiration in the arts, others in music while still others in food. A vibrant painting, rousing anthem or the smell of freshly bakes chocolate fudge brownies wafting through the ventilation system can kick start the senses. Or at least remind me that I’m hungry!

7. Dreaming — Have you ever had a vivid dream and just knew that it offered to you inspiration? I have. I’m not the type of person who keeps a pad by his bed, because if the dream is that meaningful, then I know I’ll remember what matters. I’m a daydreamer too and have found that pushing away from the computer and allowing my mind to wander can soon bring me to a restful place, one where my mind isn’t weary from overwork.

How about you? Are there methods you use to stoke the fires of inspiration? Please share!

Photo Credit: Leonardini

See Also — Should You Schedule Your Blog Posts?