Comments on: The future, for writers http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/the-future-for-writers/ Notes from the classroom and observations about today's practice of journalism online Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:41:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Pat Thornton http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/the-future-for-writers/#comment-5161 Pat Thornton Sat, 10 Nov 2007 23:39:39 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/the-future-for-writers/#comment-5161 I think the key is to think of yourself as a reporter, gathering facts, interviewing subjects, asking tough questions, analyzing data, etc. If you think of yourself as a writer, you'll only focus on the words. When you realize you are a reporter and not just a writer, the whole idea of trying to report with video or another form doesn't seem so daunting. You already know how to report. Now you just need to learn to shoot video. How hard can that really be? I think the key is to think of yourself as a reporter, gathering facts, interviewing subjects, asking tough questions, analyzing data, etc. If you think of yourself as a writer, you’ll only focus on the words.

When you realize you are a reporter and not just a writer, the whole idea of trying to report with video or another form doesn’t seem so daunting. You already know how to report. Now you just need to learn to shoot video.

How hard can that really be?

]]> By: JohnofScribblesheet http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/the-future-for-writers/#comment-5089 JohnofScribblesheet Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:02:37 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/the-future-for-writers/#comment-5089 If journalists do become "merely performers that other people watch" as Dr Cokley states then obviously they will loose all value. Readers expect from journalists now. With the growing financial pressures on old media, journalists have to become two or three trick ponies. If journalists do become “merely performers that other people watch” as Dr Cokley states then obviously they will loose all value. Readers expect from journalists now. With the growing financial pressures on old media, journalists have to become two or three trick ponies.

]]> By: Jeremy Head http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/the-future-for-writers/#comment-5081 Jeremy Head Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:42:36 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/the-future-for-writers/#comment-5081 The other key skill a journalist needs to have - particularly if he/she is a freelance as I am - is the ability not just to see those subtle nuances, theose differences but to develop them into an idea and SELL them. Selling is (unfortunately) a more important skill than writing beautiful prose. The other key skill a journalist needs to have - particularly if he/she is a freelance as I am - is the ability not just to see those subtle nuances, theose differences but to develop them into an idea and SELL them. Selling is (unfortunately) a more important skill than writing beautiful prose.

]]> By: Dr John Cokley http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/the-future-for-writers/#comment-5066 Dr John Cokley Wed, 07 Nov 2007 01:02:53 +0000 http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/the-future-for-writers/#comment-5066 Nice team-sports analogy but I think it would be improved if Witt included the crowd, otherwise journalists risk becoming (today more than ever) "merely performers that other people watch" rather than professionals who develop some kind of authentic interaction with the communities they claim to serve. Nice team-sports analogy but I think it would be improved if Witt included the crowd, otherwise journalists risk becoming (today more than ever) “merely performers that other people watch” rather than professionals who develop some kind of authentic interaction with the communities they claim to serve.

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