By Kristy Smith
People occasionally ask me for advice. Okay, make that frequently, as I am a counselor by both education and employment. A particular ask stood out because categorically it focused not on my background or career, but on one of my favorite hobby: writing.
Some people have been surprised to learn that outside of the two years I wrote full-time for a daily newspaper, writing has been a side gig for me. Why so short a tenure for something I love? Because I also love having a roof over my head and food in the fridge.
Decent-paying writing opportunities have dried up over the past four decades, much to my chagrin. The publication I started out writing for has reduced its editorial staff by 80%. There are next to no local features, only regional and national stories about strangers, supplied by the news network to which that publication belongs. The content is now almost entirely news- and sports-oriented.
Ironically, the introduction of personal computers (which I rejoiced) that was supposed to make writing easier ended up doing even more: now everyone thinks he/she is a writer and photographer, or at least a personal publicist through social media. Advertisers followed suit, further undermining newspapers. People get their news online rather than in print. It’s a sad day for those who enjoyed reading or writing for physical newspapers, which they historically repurposed by using them to line the bottoms of bird cages.
Thank goodness there are still some weekly newspapers that capture the flavor of community and give locals five or so minutes of fame! Small town newspapers bring everyone together on the same page and provide keepsake clippings of special events. It’s hard to build community without the focal point of a local newspaper, so we should support these publications and the people who keep them going through subscribing, advertising and submitting story ideas.
Given this rather bleak picture I have painted of newspaper writing, it’s a wonder college students still want to major in journalism. But as in every field, there’s always room in the profession for determined folks who love writing and are committed to sharing information with others.
In my case, I’ve spent four decades writing everything from news, business and sports, to education, humor and features – often as an unpaid community service because I wanted to ensure information got
communicated and people’s stories told. I also enjoy making people laugh. Crazy? Probably, but it’s too late to turn back. However, in the twilight of my freelance writing career, I can share a few things I’ve learned:
• Professionalism is important. People are not impressed by the stereotypical khaki-panted, sandal-wearing, rumpled-looking journalists who appear as if (and smell like) they have been living out of their cars.
What works in the movies backfires in the real life credibility department. Dress and act like you belong at the table with those you are interviewing. Adjust your wardrobe accordingly when doing a story at the sewage treatment plant versus attending a meeting.
• Be on time for appointments and meet deadlines. Reliability and consistency are as crucial as your writing. Respect other people’s time. Set out early for appointments. There have been many times when I’ve happened upon another story on my way to the first story. The extra time budgeted allowed me to stop, get contact information and maybe even take photos, but that can happen only when you’re running early.
• Everyone has a story to tell. Some of the most interesting people I have met and best stories I have written came to me second-hand and/or featured unlikely subjects. Always keep your eyes and ears open for other stories you can pursue later. You can’t work far enough ahead.
• Self-edit your work. You need to catch errors yourself. Increasingly, there’s no one to do it for you. This is my downfall. Never indulge those who ask to see what you wrote before it goes to press. Instead, during
your interview with them, re-read anything potentially controversial as you take notes and say, “I want to make sure I heard you correctly.”
I hope these tips help the next generation of community journalists to do their best for the rest of us.
————————
Kristy Smith is a contributor to the Climax Crescent. Smith’s Different Drum humor columns are archived at her blog: diffdrum.wordpress.com.
People occasionally ask me for advice. Okay, make that frequently, as I am a counselor by both education and employment. A particular ask stood out because categorically it focused not on my background or career, but on one of my favorite hobby: writing.
Some people have been surprised to learn that outside of the two years I wrote full-time for a daily newspaper, writing has been a side gig for me. Why so short a tenure for something I love? Because I also love having a roof over my head and food in the fridge.
Decent-paying writing opportunities have dried up over the past four decades, much to my chagrin. The publication I started out writing for has reduced its editorial staff by 80%. There are next to no local features, only regional and national stories about strangers, supplied by the news network to which that publication belongs. The content is now almost entirely news- and sports-oriented.
Ironically, the introduction of personal computers (which I rejoiced) that was supposed to make writing easier ended up doing even more: now everyone thinks he/she is a writer and photographer, or at least a personal publicist through social media. Advertisers followed suit, further undermining newspapers. People get their news online rather than in print. It’s a sad day for those who enjoyed reading or writing for physical newspapers, which they historically repurposed by using them to line the bottoms of bird cages.
Thank goodness there are still some weekly newspapers that capture the flavor of community and give locals five or so minutes of fame! Small town newspapers bring everyone together on the same page and provide keepsake clippings of special events. It’s hard to build community without the focal point of a local newspaper, so we should support these publications and the people who keep them going through subscribing, advertising and submitting story ideas.
Given this rather bleak picture I have painted of newspaper writing, it’s a wonder college students still want to major in journalism. But as in every field, there’s always room in the profession for determined folks who love writing and are committed to sharing information with others.
In my case, I’ve spent four decades writing everything from news, business and sports, to education, humor and features – often as an unpaid community service because I wanted to ensure information got
communicated and people’s stories told. I also enjoy making people laugh. Crazy? Probably, but it’s too late to turn back. However, in the twilight of my freelance writing career, I can share a few things I’ve learned:
• Professionalism is important. People are not impressed by the stereotypical khaki-panted, sandal-wearing, rumpled-looking journalists who appear as if (and smell like) they have been living out of their cars.
What works in the movies backfires in the real life credibility department. Dress and act like you belong at the table with those you are interviewing. Adjust your wardrobe accordingly when doing a story at the sewage treatment plant versus attending a meeting.
• Be on time for appointments and meet deadlines. Reliability and consistency are as crucial as your writing. Respect other people’s time. Set out early for appointments. There have been many times when I’ve happened upon another story on my way to the first story. The extra time budgeted allowed me to stop, get contact information and maybe even take photos, but that can happen only when you’re running early.
• Everyone has a story to tell. Some of the most interesting people I have met and best stories I have written came to me second-hand and/or featured unlikely subjects. Always keep your eyes and ears open for other stories you can pursue later. You can’t work far enough ahead.
• Self-edit your work. You need to catch errors yourself. Increasingly, there’s no one to do it for you. This is my downfall. Never indulge those who ask to see what you wrote before it goes to press. Instead, during
your interview with them, re-read anything potentially controversial as you take notes and say, “I want to make sure I heard you correctly.”
I hope these tips help the next generation of community journalists to do their best for the rest of us.
————————
Kristy Smith is a contributor to the Climax Crescent. Smith’s Different Drum humor columns are archived at her blog: diffdrum.wordpress.com.
