How To Write Special Feature Articles | Page 7

and of a few popular magazines
that have the staff system or that desire only the work of well-known
writers, every publication welcomes special articles and short stories by
novices. Moreover, editors take pride in the fact that from time to time
they "discover" writers whose work later proves popular. They not
infrequently tell how they accepted a short story, an article, or some
verse by an author of whom they had never before heard, because they
were impressed with the quality of it, and how the verdict of their
readers confirmed their own judgment.
The relatively small number of amateurs who undertake special articles,
compared with the hundreds of thousands who try their hand at short
stories, makes the opportunities for special feature writers all the
greater. Then, too, the number of professional writers of special articles
is comparatively small. This is particularly true of writers who are able
effectively to popularize scientific and technical material, as well as of
those who can present in popular form the results of social and
economic investigations.
It is not too much to say, therefore, that any writer who is willing (1) to
study the interests and the needs of newspaper and magazine readers, (2)
to gather carefully the material for his articles, and (3) to present it
accurately and attractively, may be sure that his work will receive the
fullest consideration in almost every newspaper and magazine office in
the country, and will be accepted whenever it is found to merit
publication.

WOMEN AS FEATURE WRITERS. Since the essential qualifications
just enumerated are not limited to men, women are quite as well fitted
to write special feature and magazine articles as are their brothers in the
craft. In fact, woman's quicker sympathies and readier emotional
response to many phases of life give her a distinct advantage. Her
insight into the lives of others, and her intuitive understanding of them,
especially fit her to write good "human interest" articles. Both the
delicacy of touch and the chatty, personal tone that characterize the
work of many young women, are well suited to numerous topics.
In some fields, such as cooking, sewing, teaching, the care of children,
and household management, woman's greater knowledge and
understanding of conditions furnish her with topics that are vital to
other women and often not uninteresting to men. The entry of women
into occupations hitherto open only to men is bringing new experiences
to many women, and is furnishing women writers with additional fields
from which to draw subjects and material. Ever since the beginning of
popular magazines and of special feature writing for newspapers,
women writers have proved their ability, but at no time have the
opportunities for them been greater than at present.



CHAPTER II
PREPARATION FOR SPECIAL FEATURE WRITING
QUALIFICATIONS FOR FEATURE WRITING. To attain success as
a writer of special feature articles a person must possess at least four
qualifications: (1) ability to find subjects that will interest the average
man and woman, and to see the picturesque, romantic, and significant
phases of these subjects; (2) a sympathetic understanding of the lives
and interests of the persons about whom and for whom he writes; (3)
thoroughness and accuracy in gathering material; (4) skill to portray

and to explain clearly, accurately, and attractively.
The much vaunted sense of news values commonly called a "nose for
news," whether innate or acquired, is a prime requisite. Like the
newspaper reporter, the writer of special articles must be able to
recognize what at a given moment will interest the average reader. Like
the reporter, also, he must know how much it will interest him. An alert,
responsive attitude of mind toward everything that is going on in the
world, and especially in that part of the world immediately around him,
will reveal a host of subjects. By reading newspapers, magazines, and
books, as well as by intercourse with persons of various classes, a
writer keeps in contact with what people are thinking and talking about,
in the world at large and in his own community. In this way he finds
subjects and also learns how to connect his subjects with events and
movements of interest the country over.
Not only should he be quick to recognize a good subject; he must be
able to see the attractive and significant aspects of it. He must
understand which of its phases touch most closely the life and the
interests of the average person for whom he is writing. He must look at
things from "the other fellow's" point of view. A sympathetic insight
into the lives of his readers is necessary for every writer who hopes to
quicken his subject with vital interest.
The alert mental attitude that constantly focuses the writer's attention
on the men and women around him