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Best Picks
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browse? Selected here are articles and print pieces from this site
that best embody and exemplify my work as a writer over the years.
Items here may rotate in and out, so check back often. As every
writer knows, some articles survive the editing and approvals
processes in better shape than others. Often the preferences of
clients--and yes, even good, professional editors--are at odds with
what writers set out to say. You don't argue, usually, because
they're the boss. And you acknowledge that their perspective may
stem from real things like politics, pressure from advertisers--and
yes, even good, professional judgment.
The point is, a lot of writing gets compromised. Even in a large
body of work such as the many articles on this site, relatively few
make it through unscathed. Some do, however, and some even get
improved by the editors. Listed are a few items that for
whatever reason, ended more readable, understandable, or
entertaining than most. |
Ski Montana
Hoping to sell this story the following year, we spent a week
wandering cross-country ski haunts in western Montana. The following
year, we got too busy. It's understandable why this, as the only
unpublished piece on the site, was unaffected by editors.
Hap Miller Made Music, Memories
What's essentially an obituary isn't always easy to make
interesting.
Unload Your Beater on Any Old Sucker
A mostly uncensored humor column allowed me plenty or room
to offend.
Funds From Fines: Enforcement
Settlements Finance Environmental
Projects How much real reporting can happen in government-sponsored media?
This much.
Ten Questions for Boone Pickens
Occasionally a real personality shines through in a government
publication.
Biodiesel Buying Power Environmentally motivated motorists pool demand for this
alternative fuel. |
Vehicle Roof Racks: Let Your Toys Get Carried Away
Helping yuppies haul their skis, bikes, and boats.
VW Passat GLX Wagon: The
Envy of Audi Owners Online auto reviews proved a bit more free-wheeling than their
in-print counterparts
Sport-Utes of America Here's one of their in-print counterparts, of which I wrote many.
Service Journalism Simple prose and sincerity, we hope, helped to "sell" a new
statewide program to a profoundly affected audience of auto service
technicians.
Six Sigma at Seagate Even stories about corporate initiatives can--and should--have a
human interest angle.
Saab Story A good lead hooks readers even when the message ("Saabs are
great") is implicit at the outset.
Financial Futures
It's not Hemingway, but peruse the 30-odd futures market update
letters here and see how a "story" of sorts can be weaved with
narrow, technical source material. |
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© 2005 Tom LaRocque, All Rights Reserved
303-477-9914· 3975 Zenobia St. · Denver, CO 80212 |
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