Great topic! I need to brainstorm themes and "opinions" related to my book. I definitely know what you mean about letting the narrative do the work. I do not feel super confident espousing opinions, scared the opinion police will hunt me down and find some counter-evidence to disprove/cancel my opinion.
(Also, this is making me realize I need to review my manuscript to see where the opinions lie, likely in my "current me" narrator voice -- where I reflect on what I've learned, essentially, about being the daughter of a severely mentally ill mother.)
I also need eighty more hours per week to do all the things I want to do :-D
Thanks for sharing your experience, Anna! Do you find it helps to include some sort of "reporting" in an op-ed, meaning gathering quotes from others who might agree with your position? Or do you think an op-ed should be completely in your own voice and point of view?
I think it depends on the outlet/topic. I’ve pitched op-eds to the Boston Globe, for instance, and the editor liked my pitch, but said they only ran reported pieces. But then, I published something close to an op-ed with Slate where research was enough. I would look at the types of op-eds that are published in the outlet you are pitching to determine whether you need to report your piece out.
Impressive post, I was raised, very Catholic, and the skinny part is certainly 100% true. Women’s clothing was constantly inspected, and any sign of having a body under the clothes was soon fixed. No curves allowed. And no transparency. And, no sleeveless clothes. Thank you for writing and posting this. I love your suggestions for Advent.
Great topic! I need to brainstorm themes and "opinions" related to my book. I definitely know what you mean about letting the narrative do the work. I do not feel super confident espousing opinions, scared the opinion police will hunt me down and find some counter-evidence to disprove/cancel my opinion.
(Also, this is making me realize I need to review my manuscript to see where the opinions lie, likely in my "current me" narrator voice -- where I reflect on what I've learned, essentially, about being the daughter of a severely mentally ill mother.)
I also need eighty more hours per week to do all the things I want to do :-D
So much of this resonates with me. Especially the finding extra hours in the week that do not exist :)
Thanks for sharing your experience, Anna! Do you find it helps to include some sort of "reporting" in an op-ed, meaning gathering quotes from others who might agree with your position? Or do you think an op-ed should be completely in your own voice and point of view?
Also wondering!
I think it depends on the outlet/topic. I’ve pitched op-eds to the Boston Globe, for instance, and the editor liked my pitch, but said they only ran reported pieces. But then, I published something close to an op-ed with Slate where research was enough. I would look at the types of op-eds that are published in the outlet you are pitching to determine whether you need to report your piece out.
So interesting. Thank you, Anna!!
Another awesome, helpful post Anna! Thanks for sharing!
I appreciate this so much! Thank you, Heather!
Excellent piece and such great information. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much, Eileen!
Gosh, this was so informative, interesting, honest, refreshing -- ALL the things! Keep it up!
I’m so grateful for your encouragement! Thank you, Brit!
Impressive post, I was raised, very Catholic, and the skinny part is certainly 100% true. Women’s clothing was constantly inspected, and any sign of having a body under the clothes was soon fixed. No curves allowed. And no transparency. And, no sleeveless clothes. Thank you for writing and posting this. I love your suggestions for Advent.
Thank you for sharing that the piece resonates with you, Nancy! I appreciate you very much.
This is very helpful to me at my stage in my writing practice as I contemplate a memoir.
That’s so great to hear! Thank you, Amy!
Great newslettter, Anna, and your Think piece is awesome!
This is so kind! Thank you, Karen.