20 Sep 2024 The Five C’s of Writing Success
Summer rarely slows down whether you are a writer, a photographer, a teacher, or a horse owner.
As I type, a late monsoon rain pummels my roof with abandon. Rainy days are good writing days for me, as I admit to being distracted when the sun shines.
Assigned readings along with dozens of website sources I researched and added to student workload dug deep into the definition of the equine journalist, ethical issues arising from reportage, the essentials of building a well-rounded story, the challenges of interviewing, and how a writer can inform a story with images. Over the twelve weeks, students selected a topic for their final project, performed exhaustive research, conducted interviews, submitted multiple drafts to be graded, and interacted online with others. The course spanned twelve weeks, beginning in mid-May and ending the first week of August
Without a doubt, teaching this online professional course has been one of the highlights of my recent professional career bar none. Four of my students have already received magazine writing assignments, contracts from editors, or a professional invitation to share their work in multiple venues. For example, Columbian endurance rider and competitor Maria Carreño wrote and produced a video for beginners and people unfamiliar with the sport.
My equine journalism students taught me as much as I imparted to them. Reflecting on the experience, I believe five factors enriched my teaching experience, all of which my students demonstrated.
- Curiosity: A successful writer requires an insatiable curiosity about the world. We live in a time in history when it is understandable that we close into ourselves. COVID added to our insularity, and our collective intellect took a tumble because of social media. All I know is that to be a good writer, the kind of writer who leaves a mark on the reader, one has to fight back the doldrums by opening oneself up to the unknown.
- Challenge: Accepting new challenges may be easier for some, which is understandable. When writers hit the pause button on the background noise of our environments and in our brains, our minds have the space to process what is required of us to turn a challenge into an opportunity. Aspiring writers can drill down into the complexity of a subject, begin to make connections, and surface with a compelling piece of writing.
- Confidence: There is an old saying that I have posted on my computer: “Those who speak don’t know, and those who know don’t speak.” Confidence requires much more than verbal skill. Most of us have been in a professional setting or a family gathering where one person remains silent for a long time before speaking. Confidence is about reflection, listening, learning, and asking questions, all of which are central to the writer.
- Compassion: We all benefit from a touch of grace in our lives, whether we are the recipient or the giver. Deadlines are artificial constructs, in the main. Kindness isn’t and shouldn’t be. Writers with a balanced approach to a controversial subject aren’t playing the whataboutism game but honestly trying to listen to multiple perspectives with compassion and without judgment.
- Courage: Yes, the definition of what courage means is tricky. All of us harbor some sort of definition. Courage for a writer, in my view, is being willing to walk away from a topic, perhaps start over entirely, and handle editorial rejection. When a writer is so invested in a piece, sometimes courage is the toughest requirement.
The students I met this summer taught me the Five C’s of Writing Success in one form or another. I am proud of their tenacity, their passion, and their continued success! I will continue to post links to my students’ published work in the future.
PS: Many thanks to Emily Esterson, a fellow equestrian and teacher who recommended that I take the reins of the equine journalism course!
