I like reading this book as organized advice from writers. It's like a class with a lot of guest speakers. However, I find this book more poetic than technically helpful, more inspiring than informative. There are inspiring quotes, advice, and messages. I paid close attention to the advice about writing profiles and hung on to the message, "You don't lost respect for you subjects or their story, but your allegiance must be with the reader." This is inspiring as I begin to think more about my narrative arc of my profile.
However, some points in to book make me anxious for more experience; sick of reading about doing something. An example of this on pgs. 28-30 when four writers give advice on whether or not to use a recorder. The advice is complied to be a pro recorder then a con, a pro then a con. As I read through the pros and cons of using the recorder from each writer, I understood each point, but I could draw no conclusion or take no side. I wanted experience.
While reading this book I realized that journalism is active writing. It's searching for stories. Sometimes the search is in oneself, but most of the time the story is out in the world. This book made me anxious I wasn't finding my story.
Ellen,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point about the book's sometimes vague technical help. Although most of the sections are very well-written, I do not think they are all void of information. Later in the book I noticed there are a few useful charts to help one plot out a story- so there is hope yet! I love the quote you found about a writer's allegiance being with the reader.