The Evolution of a Headline

It's an unfortunate, universally-known fact about journalism: writing headlines is tough. Today, while the designers worked to arrange photos and stories, a team of several staffers attempted to think of a headline for a photo essay about a paddle-wheeler from Marietta. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how our staff members [tried to] draft a brilliant headline:

4:07 p.m. Megan and Erin volunteer to draft headline and begin examining the photographs from the story.

4:10 p.m. Megan suggests, "Rolling on a River."

4:11 p.m. Ellen vetoes this, since it's strikingly similar to the headline we are using for another story.

4:12 p.m. The team goes back to the drawing board.

4:15 p.m. Megan's new idea: "Big Wheel Keep On Turning." Everyone agrees how perfect this is. General excitement.

4:16 p.m. Carissa says, "Can we have more options, so we don't infringe on copyright?"

4:20 p.m. Erin becomes obsessed with the word "chooglin'" and can't understand why it can't be used.

4:20 - 4:30 p.m. There is much argument about whether or not "chooglin'" is a real word, or even a viable headline term. It is shot down. General grumbling from Erin.

4:30 - 4:55 p.m. Other ideas develop, including: "Big Wheel," several concepts involving Captain Jack Sparrow, Mark Twain and / or gems and jewels, "Walk the Plank," "Ebb and Flow" and "Tom Cruisin'."

4:58 p.m. No consensus is reached, but Megan types up a list of "good" ideas.

5:00 p.m. The staffers leave, brains aching from so much use. General grumblings again.

So concludes another productive afternoon in the Southeast Ohio newsroom. Maybe we just need to sleep on it...