Eyeworld Daily News

ASOA NEWS ASCRS ASOA ANNUAL MEETING by Vanessa Caceres EyeWorld Contributing Writer Luncheon panelists share how to develop an idea into an article for AE H ave you ever had an idea for an Administra- tive Eyecare (AE) article and wondered how to get it published—or if it's even a story-worthy idea in the first place? Attendees got the scoop on how to develop ideas and possibly get them published at the ASOA Writer's Workshop and Luncheon, described as a boot camp for de- veloping professional writing skills. The session was sponsored by the AE Editorial Advisory Board and included panelists who have been published in the magazine. When it comes to generating ideas, you may assume that there have already been dozens of articles published about something you struggle with daily. However, that may not be the case. Jot down your ideas so you can ponder them. An article about something from your daily professional routine can give you a chance to help others, particularly if you've learned something new in the pro- cess, said Sandy Barrett, COE, Parkersburg, West Virginia. "You have a voice," said Ashlie Malone, Charleston, South Carolina. "We all deal with the same things." Passion about a topic is also important, said Keith Casebolt, Medford, Oregon. Once you have your idea, you may fear staring at a blank page. The panelists' advice? Start to write some initial thoughts, even if they aren't in perfect order, advised David Miller, MHA, Shreveport, Louisiana. If needed, walk away and talk about the arti- cle topic with someone you trust. With a little time, the information you need will come to you. Keep word limits in mind when writing for AE or any other publication, as those will affect your content, Mr. Casebolt Have some fun at tonight's ASOA Celebration E njoy a night of music, dancing, refreshments, and fun with your colleagues at tonight's ASOA Celebration. Sponsored in part by CareCredit, the ASOA Celebration is an annual tradi- tion at the meeting. This year, it takes place at Parq Nightclub, located at 6th and Broadway, from 8 p.m. to midnight. Compli- mentary shuttle buses will transport guests from a shuttle stop at the San Diego Convention Center to the ASOA Celebration and back. Badges are required for admission. Located in San Diego's Gaslamp District, Parq Nightclub has the features of both a restaurant and nightclub for what its website describes as "an unparalleled nightlife experience." advised. "A 700-word article is different than a 1,200-word arti- cle," Mr. Casebolt said. With 1,200 words, for instance, you can share more case studies or anecdotes, but with 700 words, you'll want to keep it direct. After you do your initial draft, you can share your article with someone for content feedback. "[The writing process] can be a solo sport, but it doesn't have to be," Mr. Casebolt said. As you focus on sharing good content, you can leave the editing, layout, and artwork in the hands of the AE team. Additionally, Joanne Lozar Glenn, AE man- aging editor, shares edits with the magazine's authors. "It's always a collaborative process," Ms. Glenn said. If you're still hesitant to get started, try your hand at a smaller article, Ms. Barrett said. She shared how she first wrote a short piece about a bonus bucks program at her practice and devel- oped longer articles after that. Another tip to overcome writ- ing anxiety: Think of how you are writing an article for a group of friends and colleagues instead of a group of experts who know just as much as you, if not more. By thinking about writing for friends and colleagues, your article will come out stronger, Mr. Casebolt said. D avid Miller, MHA, COE, Shreveport, Louisiana, received the ASOA Pinnacle Award for Volunteerism at the ASOA Opening General Session. The ASOA Pinnacle Award for Volunteerism was established in memory of William E. Rose Jr. and recognizes ASOA members who further the society's mission of empowering ophthalmic leaders to elevate the busi- ness of ophthalmology through their volunteer efforts during the preceding calendar year. Prior to 2010, the award recognized ophthalmology practices that demonstrated an exemplary effort to eliminate potential abusive billing practices and maintain compliance with government regulations. Nominees are chosen by the ASOA Board of Directors and are evaluated by their ASOA involvement in the following categories: David Miller Pinnacle Award honoree announced at ASOA Opening General Session • ASOA membership (minimum of 3 years required) • Service on ASOA Committees or task forces • Speaker at ASCRS ASOA Annual Meeting • Active contributor to ASOA EyeMail • Article author for Administrative Eyecare • Roundtable facilitator at ASCRS ASOA Annual Meeting 20 | EYEWORLD DAILY NEWS | MAY 5, 2019

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