Writing advice from a former Boston-area newspaper editor

As mentioned in a previous Boston Writing Careers article, writing articles for local newspapers on a freelancing basis can be an excellent way for aspiring writers to obtain published clips to present to prospective employers.

Fortunately, Greater Boston still has quite a few community newspapers, so take advantage of these opportunities while they last!

Boston Writing Careers Examiner interviewed Bryan Mahoney, former editor of the Lexington Minuteman newspaper, about what he looked for in articles submitted by freelancers.

His edited responses appear below.

"First, a 5 p.m. Friday deadline doesn’t mean you should turn in your story at that time. A deadline is the last possible minute to complete a task; earlier is always better. The deadline is a limit, not a goal to be met.

"Make your story’s connection to the publication's coverage area clear. People in Arlington don't want to read about someone in Westford—unless that Westford person has operated a barbershop in Arlington for 30 years.

"It helps to include a note to the editor making the connection clear: "This Arlington native runs an art gallery in Belmont. Though the story's Belmont-centric, she has a large network of friends and family in Arlington, and was named captain of the Arlington High soccer team in 1996 ..."

"Every editor is constantly battling a shrinking news hole. So keep everything you write short."

Note: When the Boston Writing Careers examiner wrote an article for the Lexington Minuteman last spring, "short" meant 500 words. For an article for the Arlington Advocate last summer, "short" meant 800 words.

"Also, expect to work for free. Some of our best editors started out submitting articles they wrote, then picking up cheap freelance work, then getting hired as reporters, and working their way up.

"Avoid clichés. Proofread your work. Get an Associated Press stylebook and adhere to that style.

"Understand the sad truth that 99 percent of your readers will not read your story to the end, so don’t leave the clever details for the last paragraph. Seventy-five percent of your readers won’t get past the fifth paragraph. Put your strongest writing and your hook in those first five paragraphs.

"Fifty percent of your readers won’t get past the headline, and while it's good to suggest a headline, don’t be surprised when a completely different headline appears in the paper - that will also happen 99 percent of the time.

"And finally, I fabricated all statistics, though the message they convey is accurate. Anyone can make up statistics. Thirteen percent of Americans know that."

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