Lead, Pitch

Chapter 4 teaches the travel writer about different story elements. David Miller of the Matador Network offers advice to the travel writer on how to craft a perfect pitch. Miller discusses the importance of the Lead and how ultimately a good pitch can only get the writer so far. Miller offers six ways to improve the lead of the story a few are:

  • Lead with the narrator in a problematic or overtly stressful situation.
  • Lead with a disarmingly simple and short declarative sentence.
  • Begin in-medias-res, with descriptions placing the reader in the middle of a scene.

Remember the lead must be able to capture the readers attention to force them to read the rest of the story.