Cutlines for portraits can be difficult to write. Sometimes, the photograph accompanying a profile (like this one) is quiet and inert, yet still effective visually.

That leaves cutline writers looking in vain for action. Where's the verb? It's a challenge that many of us fail to meet.

This cutline, however, gets it right. It identifies the subject, includes a local angle and describes the range of material in her book. The copy editor has used the cutline space to bring in details and lure the reader into the story.

This is much better than "Amber Madison sits in her parents' home in Orange County." We can see that.

The key is to draw material from the story to flesh out the cutline. For more tips on writing cutlines, go here.