Five Word Limit
"Gerry, you have to understand that we are publishing into a culture that just doesn't read any more."
He listened and felt like the chief engineer had just told him the oil well was dry. "Well what are we
supposed to do?", he asked bluntly." "You have five words.", Sam repeated, "five words and then
pictures and videos. Nothing else will do, five words to explain what lies below, what's inside, like
selling a product in the supermarket using the package only. 'Sweet Blue Heaven Soap. Get to it"
"Thanks Sam", he said just loud enough to be heard.
So there it was. His assignment. Gerry was new. He'd written and published for his English
professor, contemporary commercial advertising and media copy. It looked like an interesting course
and it was. The teacher was a pro and continually gave out good and timely advice.
"It's a real rat race out there. Writing for profit is a blood sport." He listened to all this and felt the
excitement too. The salaries were huge - if you got "on stage".
"On Stage" was a resume with significant work experience - and most of all - references that
mattered. OK - he'd listen to Sam, turn in his five words a picture and a video and wait.
College Student Finally Found Alive
He made up the story. He knew Bernstein. He was in his commercial writing class, He didn't want anyone else to know the sad story. He just
made up the story and turned it in. Sam stopped by and looked at him. "Good job Gerry" - we can't
publish it but consider yourself on stage.", and smiled.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/10/upenn-student-found-dead-in-california-park-homicide-investigation-launched.html
