Random but true journalism advice
Aka a list I made because I can’t sleep.
Fearless reporting, a behind-the-curtains look at how journalism is made — and an unabashed point of view. Welcome to Chills.
Journalists should never touch math.
Designers should never touch words.
Egos. They’re like snakes on a plane. (“Snakes in a Newsroom”™) Lose them.
Egos. You have a byline! Nobody cares but you. Lose them.
If you know it’s crap, don’t file.
Insomnia: write.
Be careful what you say about your reporting when in restaurants and bars. You use encrypted apps but then you blab away in places like Brooklyn, where you can’t throw a piece of avocado toast without hitting an editor or writer.
“Read Aloud” on Word is your new bestie.
Read it again. Aloud.
Bring your dog to work, aka home, so you can be interrupted at any and all times with a totally good excuse.
Carry a water bottle. That’s right, hydrate.
Know that even if your editor makes the mistake, it will be under your byline forever.
Don’t ask a politician if you got a quote right if you already agreed you were on the record. Especially if you have audio or great note-taking skills. They will always backtrack.
Work faster. Someone else is definitely already reporting your story.
Reading is fundamental. Eat words like they’re your last meal, friends.
Playground rules are the law in media. Make friends or the bully will give you a black eye.
Compromise. Unless you’re completely right. Then your editor can suck it.
Interview another person.
Interview another person.
Interview another person.
Don’t use email if you can call, don’t call if you can Zoom, and don’t Zoom if you can go in person.
Go early and stay late.
Always ask at the end of an interview: “Is there anything else you want to tell me?”
Slap a fake headline on your drafts. Editors may write heds but, if you can’t think of a good one, you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Eat all the free snacks.
Try to look like you belong places instead of hovering like your awkward journalist self.
Keep a decent shirt in your desk drawer.
Keep extra pens in your bag.
When you’re in the field, pretend you have 10 arms. Or wear cargo pants. Pockets are life.
Don’t hate editors when they change your stuff. They do that to make your story better. Usually.
Wear shoes you can actually walk in. Everyone, not just journalists.
Is there anything else I want to tell you? Always. See you back here on Chills sometime soon.
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Wonderful advice, Lauren - made me laugh and nod in recognition and agreement. I was a newspaper reporter and put together a similar list. I like to think you'll enjoy it - and these lists should be required reading at J schools, don't you think?
https://open.substack.com/pub/ericmortenson/p/the-complete-long-form-annotated?r=u2cwh&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
good advice, appropriate for those doing qualitative (interview based) research in any field.