Milton Author Releases Opinion Writing Guidebook

A Milton columnist and author recently released her second guidebook, "The Art of Opinion Writing."

Suzette Martinez Standring, a syndicated columnist for Gatehouse Media, has been honing her skills using tips from other writers she's met along the way. The book weaves together secrets and personal stories from top Op-Ed columnists from around the country.

"I'm over the moon on this one," Standring said of the book.

Standring released "The Art of Column Writing," which featured advise from a wide range of columnists in 2008.

With the new title, she was answering a need in journalism schools for a book specifically on opinion writing. Johns Hopkins University is already building a class around the book.

For "The Art of Opinion Writing," Standring spoke with 15 columnists, focussing on a different aspect of Op-Ed writing in each chapter.

The book features writers like Ellen Goodman, Joanna Weiss, Joel Brinkley and Michael R. Masterson.

Standring contacted some writers she already knew, worked contacts and just sent out emails to find her subjects. She interviewed most of the columnists on the phone for about an hour each.

"I just listened to what they had to say," said Standring.

While the book features plenty of tips, by focusing each chapter on an individual writer, Standring captured their personalities and character. She was able to pull out information about early challenges and the inspiration to continue in the sometime critical world of opinion writing.

She said the book took under a year to write, including rewrites and editing.

"The Art of Opinion Writing: Insider Secrets from Top Op-Ed Colmunists" by Suzette Martinez Standring is available on Amazon.com. Learn more about the author at her website http://www.readsuzette.com.