Satire

[Cheanque]

Hi, Folks -

What is the rule for writing satire for CC? Is using fictional characters (who are composites of real "types") considered taboo in making a satirical point?

Appreciate your advice!

[Ed]

Better to avoid it. Constant Content requires all of its content to be tasteful, and satire, whether or not it was the writer's intent, often toes the line. I'm sure Barry Davidson will chime in here to share his experiences.

It's really important to remember that CC seeks articles that offer useful information to the reader - that's what the majority of customers are looking for. Articles that offer good information on a topic draw the most readers.

Thanks,
Ed

[BarryDavidson]

Satire can certainly be submitted, and is sometimes accepted. Unfortunately, most of the customers here aren't fans of The Onion.

As for what's accepted, stay away from the normal taboos - no racial, hate, violent, porn, etc.

I truly love writing satire and humor, but there's not a big calling for them here. Now, if you know some customers who are in need of content, tell them about the site. If Constant Content were to get twenty to fifty requests from customers a month, perhaps the norm can be relaxed a bit. We live in a consumer driven market, and the consumers aren't demanding it yet.

If you're going to try and submit some satire here, I'd stay with the political, celebrity and news articles. I have a few up. One is about "Tree Sitting", and I can't remember the others off the top of my head. So far none have sold.

[Cheanque]

Hi, Ed & Barry -

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll let it lay for now. It had to do with the recent economic debacle, nothing racist, sexist or any other politically incorrect -ist (unless you count elitist). Seems more trouble than it's worth, especially if it won't sell.

Thanks!

[Cheanque]

Oops, just thought of another question if ya'll are still in the question-answering mood. Is there a way to add a sidebar to an article?

Thanks again.

[BarryDavidson]

Because of formatting restrictions, and not knowing what programs the customers are using, you'd have to somehow fit your point into the article itself. You could even add the side note to the short description if it's important enough. That would allow the customer the option of using it or not.

Others could probably offer a better answer as I'm pretty new to the site (since the end of October). I would have to say that it depends on the subject matter. If you're writing an article on the process of getting a bill through congress you may want to add a side bar which describes what a "point of order" is, or a discharge petition.

[Ed]

You can just include it at the bottom of the text with the heading "sidebar." You'll want to note in the short summary that your article includes a sidebar.