- HubPages»
- Books, Literature, and Writing
How to Write a Recipe Article that Will Read Deliciously
A Few Thoughts Before We Begin
Despite what some may think, I have nothing against recipe articles. They don’t interest me, but I don’t hate them. I don’t turn up my nose at writers who write recipes. Writers are writers are writers. We are all communicators. We are all recorders of history, and our words paint a picture of our current culture, and as such, recipe writers have their place in that culture and I applaud them.
No, I am not disgusted by recipe articles.
However, I AM disgusted by the mundane and poorly-written. I AM disgusted by those who do not take the time to do their best, because I think writers have a responsibility to society. You may find that foolish, but it is what I believe. It is what I taught back in my school-teaching days, and it is what I teach today through my articles.
We all have a responsibility to do our best work.
There are many of you out there. I know because I see your recipes come across my online feeder hourly. How to Make Meatloaf…..How to Make Lasagna….How to Gag Your Family with Boring Tortellini…..every single day, the same old same old.
Quick….let’s do a Google search on how to make meatloaf…..6,730,000 hits.
Quick….let’s do a Google search on how to make lasagna…….13,700,000 hits.
Quick….let’s do a Google search on how to gag your family….13,600,000 hits….WHAT?????
Ignore the gagging your family thing for a second, and look at the other two search results.
You have your work cut out for you. I wish you well. May the writing gods smile down upon you. I don’t think they will, but I wish it nonetheless.
Here’s the Thing
Everybody and their mother write recipes. Okay, a bit of an exaggeration, but obviously, from the Google stats, there are many writers out there who do this sort of thing, so we begin with the knowledge that you have a lot of competition in this recipe genre.
Now, history is filled with one-hit wonders, so I’m not saying you won’t find some success writing bland recipes. The sun is bound to shine on any dog’s butt from time to time, but will it shine continuously? Only you can determine that, and that’s the whole point of this article.
Find a new approach and the sun will shine on your butt more often than not.
I’m going to present two examples to you. The first will be a random recipe I grab from the internet by some writer who uses Blog Chef as an online name. Here is how her article begins:
“If you are wondering how to make chicken parmesan than this recipe is perfect for you. Chicken parmesan makes a delicious dinner and it is not hard to prepare at all. If you are not familiar with chicken parmesan, it is breaded chicken baked and topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. This recipe does require a little bit of work breading and preparing the chicken for baking but it is well worth it. This dish is typically either baked or fried in the pan but I prefer a combination of both. The breaded chicken is first browned in oil and then placed into the oven to finish the cooking process. You can either use store bought marinara sauce or even make your own if you choose. Chicken parmesan goes great served with linguini topped with extra marinara sauce. Enjoy.”
She then goes on to give the specifics of the recipe, which I won’t bore you with.
I don’t know Blog Chef. I don’t have a vendetta against her, and I know nothing about her real ability as a writer, but I have to assume….I at least hope….that she can do better than this. She lost my interest with the first sentence. Of course I’m wondering how to make chicken parmesan, for God’s sake! That’s why I Googled the damned recipe.
This is really pretty poor writing, and I can promise you…I make this solemn vow…that I will never again read anything by Blog Chef.
Now let’s take a look at a different approach to this recipe-writing exercise.
From a Writer Known As Liz
This excerpt is from “Tales from Grandma’s Kitchen,” and it is a different recipe for chicken parmesan:
“Grandma was always happiest in the kitchen. As her guest, she was ready to feed you. But her hospitality had a militant edge to it--no one could eat enough to satisfy her need to feed.
Five minutes into Christmas dinner she'd start calling us out. Her frustrated outbursts always the same:
"Eat! Aren't you hungry?"
"I cooked all this food and you people won't eat."
"What, are you afraid you're going to gain an ounce?"
My grandmother's signature creations included the baked macaroni with a crispy top, the pork chops with rice and ketchup gravy, the shaved carrots she burned on purpose, and the hamburgers that were really meatloaves formed into patties.
But everyone's favorite was her chicken parmesan. She pounded the cutlets thin, then fried them in an egg and bread crumb coating for several minutes. Her from-scratch tomato sauce simmered all day long. Buying a jar of the store-bought stuff was against her personal code of ethics (and we were okay with that).
The cutlets sat in a casserole dish between mounds of sauce and handfuls of mozzarella, a cheese always pronounced with an Italian accent. The dish cooked in the oven for anywhere between a half hour to an hour and a half. Several loaves of oven-toasted garlic bread completed the feast.
And we were expected to eat those, too.”
Liz then goes on to share the recipe.
Join me on my writing blog
- William Holland | Helping Writers to Spread Their Wings and Fly
Tips, discussions, and all things related to writing
So, What’s the Difference Between the Two Recipes?
The first, of course, is a straightforward recitation of the basics. The writing is elementary at best. It is just a statement of facts, and about as interesting as toast without butter or jam.
The second has a personal touch. Liz recognizes that she is writing to human beings, and she uses that fact to appeal to our senses. I can see, in my mind’s eye, her grandmother’s kitchen. I can smell the food cooking. I can hear her grandmother chastising, imploring, and spreading love with her words.
The five senses that we all share are vitally important when writing a recipe article. You want your readers to experience as much of that dish as possible through your words. Liz did that; Blog Chef did not.
Liz did one more thing that was very important: she used her family memories as a catalyst to awaken our own family memories. She used a very personal vignette that we all could relate to, and when writing articles about mundane and bland subjects, this is a deal-breaker.
So Here’s the Bottom Line
Find a new approach!
Do not settle for the mundane!
Go the extra mile!
Will it make a difference in your views for one article? Maybe, and maybe not, but I’m assuming you do not want to be a one-hit wonder. I’m assuming you want prolonged success, and a fresh approach gives you a real chance at attaining that success.
Let me put it another way: do you want to be one of the 13,000,000 who write run-of-the-mill recipes that may or may not show toward the top of a Google search, or do you want to write unique recipe articles that people will search for because your name is attached to it?
Seems pretty obvious now, doesn’t it?
2014 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Related
My Obligatory 100,000th Hit 100th Article Extravaganza!/or Keep Larry Weird
The Difference Between Writing for Content Mills and Revenue Sharing Web Publishers
How To Make A Lighter Healthier Chicken Parmesan
Professional Writing Tips And Techniques To Improve Quality - Enhance Your Literary Prowess
Comments
- Author
Thank you, Heidi. I was told a long time ago, by a man much wiser than me, that writers are the story-tellers of their generation. I believe that to be true.
Though I am a kitchen disaster, I do enjoy reading tantalizing recipes from people who actually know what they're doing. :)
Of course I like the second example, too, because it's a story. We need story for meaning, even in the most mundane... which includes cooking.
Hope your week is filled with brownies and cupcakes!
- Author
Deb, I couldn't say it better. You are correct in your comment, but then I expect that. Thank you!
I found that people want AUTHENTIC and delightful. If you put a few good recipes in an article with love, it will certain show. I have EASY and quick recipes that are quite alive and well, some approaching the 1,000 hit benchmark.
- Author
I'm glad you like it, Lea. I didn't want to offend anyone but my goodness, when are people going to learn. One quick Google search will tell a writer they better find a new angle...when there are millions of hits for every single recipe online, what are your chances???
blessings always my friend
billybuc: this hub is hysterical, I laughed so many times, mostly because you are SO right! I was especially howling with laughter at the google examples! THANK you for this great eye opener.
I have only written ONE hub about a recipe ...titled Two Secrets Of A Delicious Cake...only got 13 comments which basically is a bad sign...I think I did what others have done...the on and on prior to getting to the point. I wrote it early when I first joined the hubs.
THANK YOU for this humorous, direct and diplomatic hub. I So enjoyed it. Blessings, Sparklea :)
- Author
Dianna, I so agree. I was taught the importance of introductions a very long time ago, and I've never forgotten. Thanks for your thoughts.
I love reading the recipes that add a little zip to their introduction. Meatloaf can only appeal so much to a reader, but add an exciting title and some background and you have an adventure to follow. Great advice on writing recipes.
- Author
Crazy but enjoyable days with the children, I'm guessing. :) Ann, thanks for the confirmation. I just think writers need to push themselves a bit more...I'm always looking for writers who go that extra mile. And yes, it seems the amount of bad writing has grown of late. Not sure why either, but I know I'm not imagining it.
Enjoy your weekend my friend and thank you.
bill
- Author
breakfastpop, if you are having fun then writing is for you. Keep at it my friend. Writing should be fun.
Totally agree, bill. I've written a couple of recipes only (because I'm not a good cook!). However, I know these dishes are successful with friends and family and I've given the hubs a personal slant. One is nearly always among my top three hubs. I'm not planning on writing any more! My luck wouldn't last.
Your advice covers so many subjects, of course. The amount of bad writing I've seen lately has grown. I don't know why, with all the good advice available on hubpages, mostly yours.
I do think, though, that recipes are regarded as an easy option, with authors thinking that if they can cook it, they can write about it, with no extra effort. Wrong!
I must admit I was surprised at your title and I was indeed thinking, 'but bill doesn't like recipe hubs'!
A good read on a Friday evening, back to tranquility from two delightful, crazy days with the children.
Hope you have a great weekend, bill! Ann
I agree, you have to find a new approach. For a few years, I did write recipes as an introduction to my hubs. I combined humor and ingredients. Now I just serve breakfast provided by my bug friends!! I am probably crazy, but I am having fun!! Thanks, billy... Voted up, interesting, extremely useful and awesome!
- Author
Thank you vkwok. I always appreciate your support.
Thanks for sharing this interesting and great hub, Bill! If I ever think of writing a recipe hub, I'll know where to look for advice.
- Author
I agree, DDE, and I thank you.
A unique way is always special.
- Author
Well, Suzie, I for one am looking forward to that next crop of recipes/beauty products. That should be soon, right??? Right????
What superb examples you gave and you definitely hit the nail on the head. Having your own unique style, angle and way of bringing your recipe to readers is key to getting noticed. Don't be a follower of the mundane and boring but stick out in a crowd for your originality. More wise words Bill, will remember for my next crop of recipes even if they are beauty products!
- Author
Flourish, a good experiment??? That would be questionable, but I'll give it some thought. :) Thanks for the suggestion.
It would be a good experiment it the resident writing guru could show folks how it's done! I always learn a lot when I step out of the box a bit.
- Author
I'm glad to hear that imtii....happy writing!
- Author
There you go, travmaj, that was the whole point of this. As for quail eggs on toast, I'm sitting down at the table and waiting for you. Thank you.
- Author
Michele, you said it all right there. Thank you for that.
- Author
Shelley, I think I'd pass on those recipes you mentioned. :) Thanks for stopping by my friend.
- Author
Frank, it's all in the presentation. I'm a big believer in marketing our product, something many writers don't want to think about or never think about. Our writing is our product.
Thanks my friend.
- Author
Faith, you are too funny! Thanks for the laugh this morning, and I wish you wonders and happiness on this Thursday.
bill
Thanks billybuc I really needed some suggestions like these. Tips you gave will be helpful to write interesting articles THanks again :)
Recipes. I think I should pop over and make you quail eggs on toast.
I'm not into recipes and if presented with one I usually adapt it to whatever ingredients I have available. Your recipe for recipe writers must also apply to other genres. I'm taking note, find a new approach, forget mundane, go the extra mile, it's a tough life...
Bill, you've got it right. I think the mundane and poorly written ones fail to stand out and will turn people off the recipe immediately.
Excellent points again - either I stick to the straightforward recipe sites with no embellishments and decide whether or not I like the ingredients and the balance thereof, or if someone chats personally and tells me a story I try the recipe if it makes sense. (I have read a few recipes where the ingredients were a tin of this, a packet of that, instant noodles, tomato sauce, mayonnaise, etc - so you took all the pre-made stuff and stirred it together and baked it - Yugh!) Always enjoy your recipes though!
I am total agreement of what Mizbejabbers commented.. the difference can be great.. anyhow Love the idea and the creative way you preseneted it billybuc.. bless you my friend :)
Hi Bill,
Haha love this ... I have only two recipes hubs and they have done quite well much to my surprise and delight. One is all the way up to second from the top LOL ... I do post my own photos and actually make the recipe and add a bit of a story to add interest, but not too long, as that is key, I believe.
Something is simmering here but heating up fast and about to the boiling point : )
Hugs and blessings always
- Author
Dora, I couldn't agree with you more....yes we do my friend...yes we do.
- Author
Well thank you, Genna. Some have described my humor as less-than-glowing, but I'm very happy with down to earth. :)
Good advice for the recipe writers (glad you tackled them for all of us), but of course any writer can make the application. We all want our names to mean something special when attached to an article. Thanks, Bill!
I've never written a recipe hub; however, if I ever decide to try, I'm definitely re-reading this first! Your down to earth humor, Bill, combined with sage advice, make your articles irresistible. They are like delicious recipes. :-)
- Author
Ruby, I don't know the answer to that question. LOL I guess we'll find out together. Thank you as always.
- Author
Thank you Thelma! I've only written one and it was a joke recipe, but that doesn't mean good rules of writing can't be applied.
- Author
Well I'm glad you did too, Bill. The teacher in us never dies, does it?
- Author
Thank you Carb....i debated whether to use her real name, but I figured I'd give her some free advertising. :)
I love to find really good recipes on H.P. I print them and really do use them. Another good one Bill. Is there nothing you won't write about? Hee
I so agree with you. Though I have not read Blog Chef and Liz recipes until now, I love Liz approach in writing her recipe. As you might know, I have some recipes written and I´m not sure now how I wrote them. LOL! I have to check my recipes now. Thanks for the advice Bill. As always, great hub.
Very useful discussion. I love the way you can "talk about writing" from so many perspectives!! Thanks for sharing. I almost didn't read this one... glad I did!! ;-)
- Author
I'm sorry MizB...I really didn't mean to sound miffed...I was distracted with something else and I'm afraid I came off that way...my apologies.
Bill, I thought you were making this up. But it took only 3-second Google search to find Blog Chef and the infamous chick parmesan recipe.
As a hubber whose content is 99 percent recipes, this topic is very near and dear to my heart. Thank you for your thoughts. As always, you have done very well.
Where's your sense of humor today, friend Bill? I was just joking about Liz. I wouldn't read her hubs if I didn't think she could cook. It's obvious she loves Grandma's recipes almost as much as she loves Grandma. I hope she doesn't take it the wrong way.
- Author
Great idea, lifegate. Maybe I could get a job tasting and writing about it. What a perfect job that would be. :)
- Author
Palatable indeed, Glimmer, and bravo for that pun. :) Good to have you hear on a Wednesday. You are throwing off my balance by being here in the middle of the week. :) Thanks my friend.
Hi Bill,
I have to admit I'm not much for recipes either, but I'm willing to taste-test anything, anytime. Now that you made me hungry, I'm off to the kitchen . . .
- Author
Brie, I'll live vicariously through you. :)
- Author
Save some for me, Sis! I'll be there eventually.
Well I had to come read this right away. As you know I usually wait for a long time and then read loads of hubs at once. I agree that it's good to add a personal touch and I try to do that on my recipes. On the other hand, some people write incredibly long run ins to their recipe and they lose me after the 3rd of 4th paragraph. No offense to those folks who love to make it more interesting, but I want to see a recipe and instructions and maybe a brief background or description. It's a fine line that can be tough. I definitely agree with dragonflycolor, I like to see original pics with recipes. It makes it much more relatable, even palatable. Awesome hub.
Me too! That's one of the reasons I want to go!
bill..so sorry to hear that you've been compared to worse than Martha Stewart. That's a shame. People can be so mean.
Pizza's hot...ice cream is frozen...C'mon over!!
- Author
Oh my goodness, Brie, how cool would that be? I'm expecting some great articles to come from that Ireland trip. Thanks and good luck.
- Author
You betcha, Deb, and for the record, I love your new blog.
- Author
Rachael, we are very similar about the grammar thing. I am turned off immediately by that. Call me a snob. I can live with it. :) Thanks my friend.
- Author
Paula, I love it....spiritual awakening, me??? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL...and pigs will soon fly.
I guess I've been compared to worse than Martha Stewart. I'll take it.
Hey, invite me over for ice cream and pizza, please. :)
Bro
I agree. I usually steer clear of recipe articles (I think I have 2 or 3) unless I think I can contribute something that is either different or unusual. And, even then I enjoy writing more about the recipe than the actual "how to" do the recipe. Having said that, I may be going to an organic farm in Ireland and if I find some good recipes there I will write about them.
This hub is a good reminder for me, Bill, as I add recipe posts to my new blog. Thanks as always for the good advice.
If the grammar or spelling is off, the recipe writer lost me from the starting gate. If I want to read a 'by the book' recipe, I'll slide in my Betty Crocker DVD. No wrath coming your way from me; I'm in total agreement with you.
Um....yeah, OK bro. So, I guess you had a spiritual awakening at some point since your bachelor recipes Hub? (No, you WILL NEVER live it down as long as I can help it)
I've made no secret of the fact that I rarely, if ever, read recipe hubs. Since free from hands-on-24/7-parenting.....I've been tempted to transform my kitchen into a game room. But that's crazy. I have to have a place for my coffee maker, ice cream and frozen pizzas.
However, this hub is a winner and I'm sure the Martha Stewart--Rachel Ray graduates out there are loving this!!.....Up+++
- Author
Yes it does, Eric, but sometimes it's like trying to pull teeth to convince writers of that. :) Thanks, buddy!
- Author
Thanks, Manatita...always a pleasure having you stop by.
- Author
Liz, I can't even begin to glean something from that babbling comment. LOL
- Author
We do indeed, Kindred, and about the only two things I take very seriously are love and friendship. :)
- Author
Mari, right on with the picture suggestion...and now insert a generic goodbye my friend. :)
Great stuff that works for all articles.
Yes, Bro. I enjoyed Liz's style too. She was much better. The human touch, I'd say.
First of all, thanks for the shout-out, my friend. And MizB is right--I'd make a mess of Grandma's chicken parm! I would much rather write about her antics than spell out the ingredients, especially since I'm not much of a cook. Before I forget to mention it, I appreciate the kind words from MizB and Sha. I agree with Linda and Sha that when I google a recipe, I just want a recipe. But if I were a writer of a recipe blog, I'd be sure to include an angle (the a-word!) that made it unique to build up an audience. Oh, wait, I do have a recipe blog. I just haven't posted in forever. It generates a lot of traffic, but little to no revenue. Just like my recipes on here: lots of traffic (in relation to the other articles), little revenue. Ok, glean from that babbling comment what you will, if anything. Hahah
Don't take me seriously today. I'm just having a little fun. I understood you perfectly. To be honest, I've found that my title prefix "simply delicious" has been quite helpful. We all want something simple and delicious, don't we? :-)
Mundane things bore me. [Insert generic goodbye greeting here], Bill! :)
On another note...if one does write a recipe here on HubPages, it would be wonderful to see THAT PERSON make the recipe with THEIR OWN pictures and/or video. As Bill states, you need that personal touch, people!
- Author
Thanks, Sha, and I refer you to the comment I left on her comment....all well and good, but I'm assuming that people post their recipes because they want people to read them...so why not have people looking for your specifically?
- Author
Kindred....you? Simple? Never my dear. I agree, just a recipe....but....there are millions of recipes...how do we make yours show in the Google search? Pretty hard to do...but what if people are looking for your recipes specifically, and they are doing that because they enjoy your writing style...now you've got a winner.
hugs my dear
bill
- Author
Well, Sally, the gauntlet has been tossed down. :)
bill
- Author
Theresa, you have done this and done it well....perfect living example. :) Thank you and keep sharing those family stories.
I love the way Liz writes her recipe blogs. In fact, I've printed a few out to add to my recipe binder. I have one right now I printed the other day that I'll make when my pineapple gets a little more yellow.
It's funny that I'm commenting right after Linda, because I want to mention her recipe articles, too. They're always entertaining and make you hungry for the dish by the time you finish reading. Hi, Linda!
I also have to agree with what Linda says. I love reading the entertaining recipe articles on HP, but when I'm looking for a recipe online - especially one I want to print - I don't want to read a family story. I just want the ingredients, how-to, and a photo.
Kindred, I had no idea you were an expert on recipe writing too. Imagine my surprise. lol Seriously, I've only written a few recipes but they are some of my most popular hubs. I credit that with the fact that I try to infuse some hints of family stories as well as encouraging creativity in cooking. It's also important to me to encourage buying local, organically grown/raised foods. Regardless of my success, I must admit that sometimes I just want a recipe. I don't want a lot of dialogue to go with it. I want a list of ingredients and the instructions, plain and simple. So, like most things, I personally feel there is a market for the simple and the complex. Gee, did I really say that? lol Sending hugs your way. When you become an expert in how to write a useful comment, sign me up for the class.
billybuc
You know me - I am always up for a challenge 'teacher' maybe once I have finished the project I am currently working on :)
Sally
Great advice. When I first came to HP, I couldn't imagine doing a recipe hub (not that I have done very many - too busy). Then one day a "family" story wrote itself and happened to contain a recipe. I enjoyed writing it and it did well on HP. Setting the recipe in a family story is certainly the key. :) Theresa
- Author
Thank you Sally, and it's good to see you on a regular basis again. As for your one recipe article, I'd say you did quite well with the rewards. Well done. I'd be tempted to do another just to see if I could equal it. :)
I appreciate you stopping by my friend. Enjoy the remainder of your week in Norfolk.
bill
Hello Billy,
Once again I am going to give you top marks again!
I have only written one recipe hub so far and as it turned out, it made the Hub of the Day back then - Whoopee!!
How to Make Edible Bread Frogs earned me some small fame from the manufacturers of the Bread Mix I used. As an added bonus, they sent me more bread and cake mix than I could ever use in a month. I was even able to give some to family and friends. It is my opinion also, that unless I can think of something just as original as that was, then I might never write another.
If one has to write recipe's just for the sake of getting Hubs published, then I would rather stick to felting - as time consuming as it can be.
You are spot on with this one Billy,
Have a great day.
Sally
- Author
I already commented, Carol. If I see your name pop up you better believe I'll be there after the way you have supported me. Thank you dear friend.
- Author
MizB, it's all about marketing, which I believe is the point of Blog Chef posting online. Before people ever taste her food they will either be turned on or turned off by her words. :) Thanks for your thoughts and, knowing Liz, I suspect she is a very capable cook.
- Author
I know you have, Janine, and it shows in your writing and following. Thanks as always for being here, and have a great Wednesday.
This is great Bill as I write a lot of recipes. I need to spice them up--no pun intended. I think people like personality in recipes and savory words... This was perfect today and a great job. GOing to share this around.
By the way I just wrote an article here on HubPages....Astrology-Power Points and Cusps
I believe the difference is that Blog Chef is a cook, not a writer and Liz is a writer, not a cook. BC's writing may stink, but she may make the best chicken parmesan in town. Liz may be able to beautifully pontificate her grandmother's recipe, but if she followed her own instructions through, her family might have to throw the rubbery stuff in the garbage.
BUT we get your point, whether or not we can cook, write up the recipe like a master writer. BTW, I have read some of Liz's recipes, and she is a wonderful, innovative writer. I truly hope I am wrong about her cooking ability. Voted up and funny.
I couldn't agree more and I know when I post recipes online on my blog or here at Hubpages, i have tried my best to make sure to give it the personal touch by adding a story or background from my life to it. So, you are right that really does make a huge difference in the presentation of the article at hand. Thanks Bill and hope your Wednesday is treating you good so far!
- Author
Great, Mary! Thanks for backing me up on this one. I'm risking the wrath of many in writing this.
I have to agree with you. One of my best performing Hubs is one I wrote about how my mother made fried apply pies! Some people just copy/paste a recipe and I don't think that's a good idea.
Frankly, when I want to find a new recipe, I go to my old friend, Martha Stewart!
Voted UP, and shared.
90