tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382281726039328092024-03-20T06:16:51.922-07:00DoorwaysInspiration for aspiring writers and journalistsLaura Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631340335024407931noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-1655890762398153882011-01-16T15:27:00.000-08:002011-01-16T15:27:43.158-08:00Interview: Tim Pope, ABC Producer<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b></b></span></span> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CzdSQ2Jnuv5qqsf7cz_Vmt7EI1Xfo5Tew2P9sLBleyyFa42ySnoxP_Mf8DrJSSo1SMuCkVnTCtaKImLceTxRw_2so_BSEn_CjxflilxuIn2VlmRCOXD83gPbsNbOgGposEpYMcrRUoyU/s1600/tim.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CzdSQ2Jnuv5qqsf7cz_Vmt7EI1Xfo5Tew2P9sLBleyyFa42ySnoxP_Mf8DrJSSo1SMuCkVnTCtaKImLceTxRw_2so_BSEn_CjxflilxuIn2VlmRCOXD83gPbsNbOgGposEpYMcrRUoyU/s1600/tim.png" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>At only 22, Tim Pope is an extremely hard worker - a description that can be easily granted to anyone who works odd hours that includes 2am till 9am while most of us are tucked into bed, sleeping peacefully. </b></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>He is meticulous, on the ball and doesn't forget the letters of the phonetic alphabet which is something he commonly uses in his job. </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>He was also lucky enough to study journalism at one of Australia's most prestigious courses at RMIT Univeristy in Melbourne. </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Hopefully one day we will see him achieve his dream as the host of Media Watch. </b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Why did you want to become a journalist?</b></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I didn’t really want to be a journalist to begin with. I really hate being bored and a job where something new happens [almost] every day sounded like the best choice. I didn’t realise until quite late in the day that I actually had a passion for news.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Where did you study? And do you think much of what you learnt at university was useful in relation to your job today?</b></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I did a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at RMIT in Melbourne. It’s a fantastic course and I use the skills developed in the core subjects every day. However, it’s important to remember that you’re not going to emerge from uni butterfly-style, as a fully developed journalist. You do some of your most important learning on the job.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>When and how did you start at the ABC?</b></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I started at the ABC in June 2009 as an autocue operator for ABC News Breakfast (then on ABC2) working 5-9am 3 days a week. I got this job off the back of an internship on the show. After 9 months on autocue I was offered casual work as a producer and I have been a full-time casual since then.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>So far, what have been some of your most memorable experiences? </b></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In my current role I meet a lot of interesting or prominent people and work with the team to cover a lot of big stories. My most memorable moment would probably have to being present in the studio and seeing a jaw-dropping, on-air mistake that landed us on Media Watch.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>What are your hours? And what is a typical work day for you?</b></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My hours can differ. Most commonly I work as an on-air producer and my shift runs from 2am to 9am (or 9.30). I sometimes work as a planning producer for the show, working overnight from 4pm to midnight. On-air production is a mixed bag; tasks are assigned differently every day. Some days I’ll be handling packages and some days I’ll be organising live interviews and crosses. But the pressures of rolling news mean there’s always crossover and anyone who has time does whatever needs to be done. Planning can be slightly more relaxed, organising guests and crosses and picking up stories for the following day.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>What are some of the funny things that have happened to you?</b></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There’s always something to laugh at when you work in a newsroom.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>What has been your favourite topic covered?</b></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because I’m a producer not a reporter I don’t cover topics as such – But I would say working on the coverage for Election 2010 has been a highlight.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>What is your opinion on the way the ABC treats journalism compared to other places?</b></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(This might sound like I’m trotting out the party line) The ABC really does have a commitment to quality journalism. The Melbourne newsroom, where I work, has a very positive culture of constructive criticism.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Who do you look up to in your industry and why?</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I admire Tony Jones and Virginia Trioli – both are very talented interviewers and have the ability to cut right to the heart of the topic with the interviewee. Another person I admire – this one might seem a little off the wall – is Jane Cowan who most people will remember for covering the Bushfires Royal Commission for the ABC. Jane is a supremely talented reporter and interviewer and I wish I had her ability and drive.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>What advice would you give to others wanting to become r journalists? And whats the best advice you were given along the way?</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I hesitate before offering any kind of advice to aspiring journalists. When I was taking my first steps in journalism I was reminded to think about WHY I was doing it – that was a very important piece of advice given to me by an experienced reporter. Essentially he said to me “I hope you don’t want to change the world”.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>What are your long term goals? Where do you hope your career to go?</b></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I really haven’t got long term career expectations. At this stage I haven’t discovered all my strengths and weaknesses. I could be a fantastic reporter, I could be bad at it – I might be more suited to interviewing and presenting. My pipe dream has always been to present Media Watch.</span></span></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-5507389344529557742010-12-21T04:10:00.000-08:002010-12-21T04:10:15.246-08:00Interview: Caroline Overington, Journalist and Writer<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUvG0slIf7YAsWHyuhaTSkfqAsu7BBMRt45CcYc0KN7gK9e8MHyrWCjtCqC_TsT184dGcs0lg4Fwiih7HI4CGp9NQge5uZIh2ikPvxGVCkpQRK20HEwSkUFWEPsIqwNt54uDuZk9g_eI/s640/IMG_6073.26105745_std.JPG" width="425" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caroline Overington is one of Australia's best female journalists. She has had en extraordinary career that includes working for <i>The Age</i> and as New York correspondent for <i>The Sydney Morning Herald</i>. Currently she works as a reporter for <i>The Australian</i>. To describe her as an award winning journalist is also no understatement - i<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">n November 2006 Caroline won the prestigious Sir Keith Murdoch Award for Journalism and then the 2007 Walkley Award for investigative journalism for her coverage of the AWB scandal. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">The incredibly talented woman has also written three books including </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><i>Kickback</i> (2007) is based on her coverage of the AWB scandal and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">a novel, <i>Ghost Child</i> was released last year with rave reviews. Her novel <i>I came to say goodb</i>ye was released two months that touches upon the subject of child protection. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is an incredible video interview on her friend Mia Freedman's website Mama Mia about the issue of parents killing their children after the death of a little boy called Imran Zilic and the legal issues of reporting that surround it - both the video and Caroline's article on it are pieces of extremely high quality journalism that will bring you to tears. If you are after something amazing to watch, I suggest you view it <a href="http://www.mamamia.com.au/weblog/2010/09/a-heart-breaking-important-interview-with-caroline-overington.html">here.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She is also a mother of twins but I was reluctant to ask her how she manages juggling her children while being a writer. Why? Because I felt that I was asking a sexist question. Do men who are successful journalists or just successful in their own right often get asked, 'How they manage juggling their kids with their work,' - No. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She is a fantastic writer and we were absolutely thrilled that she agreed to an interview for <i>Doorways</i>. Take particular note of her answer to how she get's into her 'writing mode' - very well answered. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>How did you get into journalism?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I did work experience at the Melton Mail Express, in my home town of Melton, at the age of 13. I took a cadetship on suburban newspapers after I finished my HSC at 17, hoping to one day get on at The Age (The Age owned the local papers in those days.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What was it like working in New York to become a foreign correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Age and the SMH sent me to New York in 2002. My husband and I had twins. They were 18 months old. It was amusing to us, trying to get their big stroller onto the subway (nobody has a car); and through the snow in winter. But obviously it was magical. We had toboggan rides, and rode the carousel at Toys R Us in Times Square, and played in Central Park, and went ice-skating. I even did some work!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>In your opinion, what are some of the differences between working for News Ltd and Fairfax?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The most fun I've ever had in my life is working for newspapapers. I don't really mind which ones.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>How do you bounce between writing fiction and non-fiction?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is often difficult, as a reporter, to tell the whole story: the police won't talk to you, except through spokespeople who often weren't even at the scene of the crime; the hospital won't talk to you; the surgeon operating on the victim won't; very often, even witnesses are told to keep quiet.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That is very difficult from when I started 18 years ago, and you could just bowl up to a crime scene and see things for yourself. We've become very strange and secretive, usually to protect the reputations of politicians.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In fiction, I have found a freedom to write what really goes on in society: I can say what I've seen when I've walked into houses where children have been neglected; I can discuss what it might be like to be a child whose brother was murdered by the parents, having to grow up with a mother in jail, and so forth.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My readers are clever: they know it's all true.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What are some of the habits you always do to get yourself into 'writing-mode'?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have had many giggles about this with my friend Mia Freedman. We both have young children. We are always saying how marvellous it would be to `catch the Muse' and go into a light and beautiful room and write away, with a tea cup and saucer, as the inspiration strikes. The reality is quite different: the children might need a volcano for a school project. Lunches have to be made. So I write when I can.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What is your advice to other aspiring journalists?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is much easier to get started these days, but you have to be prepared to write for nothing for a while. Write for blogs. Write your own blog! Write for the local paper. Write for the university magazine. Keep all your clippings. And then apply, apply, apply, for every job you can find.</span></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-44080334860094886572010-12-12T02:30:00.000-08:002010-12-12T18:41:21.238-08:00Interview: Tim Burrowes, Editor and Publisher of mUmBRELLA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZcvFfUnWdCWk0B-AqpiE4cvRG_-oHYRew5AGoHbzQDd5CnQGhIMQhTIY1rl9sXHoP2yEcS8yCpCzJ_y9GnC3LnNAEucBPCShH_7LtI7tJ-OcKNT55vyVK35qlpBWsOjphA0m9zBynfZz/s1600/tb4.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1s6De93WaminKrr0wqk8Y4b60d-9pM46sFMhmTJsKqU3oYzi41LOt8D761J1pR3aY_Tp70QJEYN8I7qoQ-yufDCsJzqaRKrrwdg7kisjSd1dGGdVu3DrzHhw_gwJFVOLK1qsFG15pWPAM/s1600/tim+burrowes3.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>TIM BURROWES</b> loves blogs. He loves them so much he admits to almost getting fired from his job in Dubai in 2004 from being so fascinated by the vast array of information they offer. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The renegade of the media industry has fast become one of Australia's most prominent media commentators. </span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He has previously worked in London and Dubai as an editor of media orientated magazines as well as editor and associate publisher of Australian B&T magazine. Yet two years ago, Tim decided to go out on his own and start his website <b><a href="http://mumbrella.com.au/">mUmBRELLA</a>,</b> which focuses on the media and marketing industry in Australia. Since then, he has had over 3.8 million hits, branched into his online weekly video show The mUmBO Report, weekly podcasts, hired 6 people and has over 20,000 email subscribers. The website also has</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> a great jobs section (note to readers!) that has listed over 8000 jobs in two years.</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is no secret on this blog, that I am an avid reader on <a href="http://mumbrella.com.au/"><b>mUmBRELLA</b></a>. The content gets me excited and I always find something interesting on the website to read, along with learning a lot how about the media and marketing industry shape themselves. I was also lucky enough to meet Tim at the <a href="http://doorways-for-writers.blogspot.com/2010/10/event-review-mumbrella-question-time.html"><b>mUmBRELLA Question Time breakfast</b></a> in late October this year - it is always exciting when you meet someone you look up to - and he was very friendly and kind.</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The thing that strikes me about Tim is his honest and supportive nature through his site. There is something very fun and almost cheeky about the way he comments upon different issues in the media industry - it makes for entertaining reading and gives you something to think about. He is also not afraid for his website to be controversial which adds to how interesting it is. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Why and how did you become a journalist/publisher?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I stumbled into a local newspaper at the age of 18 as a junior reporter, planning on doing it for a year or so before going to university. I never went.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Why are you passionate about the media and marketing industry with mUmBRELLA?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are many good rounds to have as a journalist, but when you write about media, you write about your own world. It’s interesting at any time, but with so much change happening right now, there’s no more interesting subject to cover.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What's it like being your own boss? What makes you get out of bed every day?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As a journalist, particularly once you become an editor, you are effectively your own boss, even if you do technically have one. So although this is the first time I’m one of the owners, it’s not the first time I’ve had freedom to steer the editorial ship as I see fit. The best thing? You get to make things happen. The worst? If it’s no good, it’s your own fault.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What have been some of the best things you have got to do in your career so far?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Too many to list. This profession gave me the opportunity to work in Australia, for which I’ll always be grateful. But overall, the best thing about journalism is that (on behalf of your readers) you get a front row seat, you get to ask people in power in questions and (generally) they feel they should answer them.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The old cliched question but you are one clever guy , we would love know, what is your advice to others who want to get into the media industry?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do whatever you can to give somebody a reason to hire you – that means writing whenever you can (certainly blogging if nothing else), and when you spot opportunities, be persistent. If you sit back, somebody pushier than you will get the opportunity.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And when you get the foot in the door, work hard to exceed expectations for whatever it is you’ve been asked to do. You need to prove to the editor that you can deliver whatever it is you were asked to – it’s not enough to have a good reason why you tried hard but didn’t deliver what was asked. Find a way to get the story.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>And if you are looking for an excellent insight into how he works and online media, check out this video by Telstra (love his t shirt too): </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VAwb1_O6uvo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VAwb1_O6uvo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-41378254291980273962010-12-11T21:07:00.000-08:002010-12-11T21:43:54.146-08:00Sarah's column: Is the position of editor of a daily newspaper in Australia only for men?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://durhamregion.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/08/02/no_girls_allowed.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">THERE was recently <a href="http://mumbrella.com.au/boys-club-advertising-collis-woolley-thomas-tajer-token-37383">a marvelous video on mUmBRELLA</a> (my favourite website - the best source of information on the Australian media out there) that generally talked about women in the workplace in the media industry. They touched upon the issues of there not being enough women on boards, a lack of women in senior roles and women struggling to put themselves forward to win the senior positions.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Inspired by that, I now pose this question for you: </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Is it difficult for women to get to the top position as editor of a daily newspaper?</i> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After doing some research it appears there are<b> not</b> any women who are currently editors of daily newspapers in Australia.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Sydney Morning Herald Editor - <b>Peter Fray </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The West Australian Editor - <b>Brett McCarthy</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Herald Sun Editor - <b>Phil Gardner </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Advertiser Editor - <b>Melvin Mansell</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Age Editor - <b>Paul Ramadge</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Courier-mail Editor - <b>David Fagan</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Geelong Advertiser Editor - <b>Steele Tallon</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Daily Telegraph Editor - <b>Gary Linnell</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Australian Editor -<b> Paul Whittaker</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Financial Review - <b>Michael Gill</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sunshine Coast Daily Editor - <b>Mark Furler </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Canberra Times Editor - <b>Rod Quinn</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Hobart Mercury Editor - <b>Garry Bailey</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Newcastle Herald Editor - <b>Roger Brock</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Cairns Post Editor - <b>Andrew Holman</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Townsville Bulletin Editor - <b>Peter Gleeson</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Weekly Times Editor - <b>Ed Gannon</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That is <b>17 </b>male editors.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This leaves me with so many questions: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the moment I am reading <i>Man Bites Murdoch</i> by Bruce Guthrie. It is a fascinating account of his career in newspapers (he was an editor of many daily newspapers) as well as his time battling with Rupert Murdoch on different issues. But it also strikes me in this book that whenever other people in high editorial positions are mentioned, the majority of them are male.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also in the mUmBRELLA video, Deborah Thomas the General Manager of media, public affairs and brand development at ACP magazines, commented that many boards were an old boys network “bringing their mates in," - could this notion of men bringing their friends along with them be the case in newspapers?</span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Are women not suited to being editors of large daily newspapers? Should they just be left to their devises as editor's of glossy magazines and community papers? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Over the past few months, while the newspapers were getting excited about Julia Gillard becoming our first female Prime Minister, perhaps they should have been focusing on the fact that it appears there are no women as editors of daily newspapers (I am leaving Sunday editions of newspapers out of the topic).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I really feel that I should make it my goal to be a female editor of an Australian daily newspaper.</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To be completely honest, I am not experienced enough to give my full opinion on why men seem to be so dominant as editors? Can anyone shed some light on their opinion on why it seems to be all men?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Does anyone know of any females who have been editors of daily newspapers? I can't seem to find any.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As the circulation of newspapers declines, could a womens touch be the answer...</span></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-80242029319099800412010-12-09T04:22:00.000-08:002010-12-09T19:36:23.416-08:00Sarah's column: An open letter to the Community Newspapers around Australia<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img src="http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/community-newspapers.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For this week's column, I thought I would take a bit of cheeky view on things and write about something that has been bothering me for a long time. Looking forward to your thoughts on it...</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;"><i>Dear Community Newspapers of Australia,</i></span></i></span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;"><i>It is with much regret to tell you that there has been a word thrown around to describe you in recent times that may come as a shock. That word is BORING. </i></span></i></span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This angers me because you have so much potential as you drop into letterboxes for free all around Australia every week. </span></i></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;"><i>Okay so I am 22, what do I know? Basically nothing. However, my fresh eyes see things with a new view of the world and so I am going to voice my opinion. </i></span></i></span></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am sick of picking up a community newspaper feeling like it was designed for an old person with a smiling photo of senior on the front. Or some tacky old politican on some attention-seeking antic. </span></i></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;"><i>You are not just a voice for the people ranting about fluoride in the water in the Letters to Editor section.</i></span></i></span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;"><i>And your photo quality! Now, I understand that many community newspapers have to multi-skill their journalists to take photos as well, which is fantastic, but could we please have something a little more creative than people standing there like stunned mullets with their arms crossed? People are far more interesting than that. </i></span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;"><i>I feel like there is this stigma surrounding community newspapers that they feel this need to be boring, dorky and drab just because you are a 'community newspaper'. You all conform to the same unofficial rules around Australia. You all have a similar layout on the front page and nothing much changes on the inside in terms of content or advertisements. </i></span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;"><i>Long, draining articles are not appealing anymore. I want to read about things that are entertaining, fun little features, odd spots, interesting photos, fascinating articles, what's going on a little outside the community too, what the local venues are doing for young people (not just the happenings at the RSL), what is cool on the internet, maybe a little bit of gossip, maybe a little bit of scandal, pets, cute things about, health feature, more romantic stories (love makes the world go round remember) and some things that are left of center. I'm over it all being about the local netball club winning the premiership - I know is an important happening but it gets to the point where it is Groundhog Day every week the local paper arrives. Spice it up a little bit, maybe get the netballer's to submit 10 of their favourite things in their life on a page or get them to submit drawings of themselves - just something different - be creative.</i></span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I am sick to my eyeballs of politicians doing things for their own political gain and re-reading press releases by their media people that have been slightly changed into articles - it is enough to put a pack of hyperactive monkeys to sleep. Can there just be a designated page in all community newspapers for their rants and raves?</span></i></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;"><i>I say all this, my dear friend Community Newspaper because you are still <b>extremely important</b>.</i></span></i></span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Who else is going to tell me what is going on in my local community? People are always going to want to know what is going on. I won't go out of my way to find out but if I am sitting in a cafe and a local newspaper is in front of me that is available to read, I will pick it up. Local advertisers also rely heavily on you, please pay them the respect back by offered good content that people want to read so your distribution is not a lie, when half the people are flinging their community newspapers from the mailbox straight into the bin. I couldn't think of a personal friend of mine who claims to read their community newspaper and if they did, they would probably be stirred up for it and I'd feel a little embarrassed for them. </span></i></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;"><i>Many of you have vibrant real estate sections that a lot of people like to read or that most people just automatically skip to read. But hey! While they are there, you should give them some bonus entertainment from the content you can provide. </i></span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;"><i>And what ever happened to making it cool and colourful like a magazine? Why are you so conservative? Why don't you involve more of your local community with photos and reader interaction? Hence the popularity of blogs and social media, reader interaction is something we all love!</i></span></i></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't want the internet to beat you...you must live on. </span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hope you have not been offended by any of these thoughts. I just had to get it out there...you need to change. </span></i></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;"><i>Kind regards,</i></span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;"><i>Sarah Lawrence</i></span></i></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This letter may seem a little harsh and parts of it are over the top. And I may be viewing the world from limited eyes as I have not seen every community newspaper in Australia (and I am sure some are very good but a lot are better off as fuel for fire). So I would love to know from you: What do you think makes your community newspaper good? Do you think my letter is fair or rubbish? </span></span></div></div></div></div></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-44803618582339286982010-12-01T20:47:00.000-08:002010-12-09T19:38:54.797-08:00Events and Opportunities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfbcbTaf6kFOsrK_GC-f0f-J1FG3jU26IOBxEfdeTKoQKKrDuy2Jz2WkncXPM5VkgZTspWEiuqEO6W7q6Ueul87LShr-stg6StYXo3S4-eUrDYl9Yj83RVUO44j9wNxODqKFhJ1Fraj53/s1600/landscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfbcbTaf6kFOsrK_GC-f0f-J1FG3jU26IOBxEfdeTKoQKKrDuy2Jz2WkncXPM5VkgZTspWEiuqEO6W7q6Ueul87LShr-stg6StYXo3S4-eUrDYl9Yj83RVUO44j9wNxODqKFhJ1Fraj53/s640/landscape.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This post is one of a weekly series, which will share various events and opportunities available in the writing and journalism industry. If you have an event or opportunity that you believe will be beneficial to young people who love to journalism and writing, please don't hesitate to contact us.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Please rest assured that there is no conflict of interest; all of these suggestions are made independently.</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.journalism.co.uk/media-reporter-jobs/s64/"><b>Jobs, jobs, jobs</b></a><br />
<i>International</i><br />
If you are looking for jobs overseas then <a href="http://www.journalism.co.uk/media-reporter-jobs/s64/">this website </a>has a good array of jobs, in particular in the UK and the Middle East. Worth a look - you never know what you might find!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.southcoastholidays.com.au/pages/writing-workshops/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Weekend away writing workshops</b></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">South Coast, NSW</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Aspiring writers out there will love the sound of this. Imagine spending a relaxing weekend near the beach while immersing yourself in your favourite passion, writing. Dr Clare Manning visits houses on the South Coast NSW to conduct writing workshops. She loves helping people unleash their creative side and have fun with their writing. You can find out more<a href="http://www.southcoastholidays.com.au/pages/writing-workshops/"> here.</a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.upstart.net.au/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Upstart Magazine</b></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This website is the next best for aspiring journalists and writers after <i>Doorways</i>...we are biased, of course! On a serious note, this website was launched by lecturers and some students in the same year level as myself at university. They have put a huge amount of effort into it and there are many interesting articles to read as well as job opportunities, events and profiles about journalists. </span></div></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-83597480362094513552010-11-30T18:49:00.000-08:002010-11-30T18:49:43.219-08:00Interview: Gabby McMillan, Writer<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKcII94oYZjnVDLiq8OdrK2zZXArt75TMvWKfaCCswtS6nrkrR_xlh9oqyPKEmMgz6joS9gAlMJLusXjUqMlffAtjN02VYsDA1ffNzzKYcLI55b7lfQ4Wdnr1LvmtzIeMsEHntB0lgOg/s1600/gabbygold1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKcII94oYZjnVDLiq8OdrK2zZXArt75TMvWKfaCCswtS6nrkrR_xlh9oqyPKEmMgz6joS9gAlMJLusXjUqMlffAtjN02VYsDA1ffNzzKYcLI55b7lfQ4Wdnr1LvmtzIeMsEHntB0lgOg/s400/gabbygold1.JPG" width="398" /></a></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Gabby McMillan is a force to be reckoned with</b><i style="font-weight: bold;">. </i>Successfully marrying her creative spirit with a lucrative writing and editing career, Gabby currently holds a coveted position as staff writer for Weight Watchers magazine, while dabbling in creative writing in her spare time. Aspiring writers, take note: Gabby is an inspiration for those of us who hope to make writing our full-time vocation. You can follow Gabby's career via her<a href="http://gabbymcmillan.com.au/"> lovely blog</a>, which showcases her eloquent prose and sparkling wit, and her uplifting tweets (<a href="http://twitter.com/gabbymcmillan">@gabbymcmillan</a>). Here is Gabby's delightfully unabridged interview with <i>Doorways</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>How did you know you wanted to be a writer? Also, please describe your writing trajectory.*</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My first piece was published in Pursuit magazine. Seeing my byline in print was spine-tinglingly delightful, so I bragged to friends and flapped copies of the publication in relatives’ faces. Did I mention the piece was a two-sentence book review? And I was in Year 8? And the magazine was about 10 pages long? Still, a girl has to start somewhere. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fast-forward five years and I ended up knee-deep in a journalism and creative writing degree. Ever the teacher’s pet/gold star student/class geek, I flaunted my writerly wares around Canberra in search of a magazine that would publish an 18-year-old student with no experience (I’d realised my Year 8 byline wasn’t too crash-hot). I began writing for Canberra’s street press title, BMA. It was unbelievable, offering surreal moments like chatting on the phone with Regurgitator in my Ressies room while friends skulled beer bongs in the hallway. By the end of university, I had three years of writing for BMA under my belt – as well as contributions to Lip, Forte, Monitor Online, This Is Writing, All Write and Vive magazine. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After graduation, I nabbed a chief sub-editor job at two Disney tween titles. After two years of subbing features on Zac Efron’s latest haircut, I became the deputy chief sub-editor/health writer at DOLLY (where Zac’s hair still got attention). I also chased freelancing opportunities and was lucky to score commissions from Cosmopolitan and Weight Watchers Online.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A stint as the deputy editor of three parenting titles was a memorable rollercoaster ride. It reminded me of my true passion: writing. So, I moved away from managerial editorial roles in to my current – and more creative – position of Weight Watchers magazine’s staff writer, where I pen stories on everything from nutrition and fitness, to fashion and beauty. Upon seeing my first feature in print, the spine tingles started again. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(The wonderful Australian author Andrew Humphreys, who I was lucky enough to work with, told me successful careers don’t need to be a steep upward climb: they can have many ups and downs. I credit him for bringing me back a notch and encouraging me to do what makes me happy.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’m also a passionate creative writer, but I haven’t quite figured out how to balance fulltime magazine writing with working on my short film script, vignettes and novel ideas. I’m sure I’ll master it eventually but until that wonderful day comes, fulltime magazine writing is my priority and creative writing is my playtime.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* I bet you wish you asked for the abridged version. I’ll step off the soap box now, well, in a moment.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What is your writing routine?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It varies. I tend to save a methodical writing routine for my staff writer position – keeping to-do lists, beating deadlines, staying on track etc – while my creative writing is a whirlwind of 6am bursts of inspiration followed by days of nothingness, rounded off with four-hour marathon sessions. (Confession: I can’t write at home without my desk lamp and back pillow but there’s nothing sexy about that, is there?) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What inspires you?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The ridiculous. Walking. Eavesdropping. Fish-out-of-water scenarios. People in my life inspire snippets of stories every day... they just don’t know it yet. I adore meeting new people and finding what makes them tick. Brilliant writing also motivates – and terrifies – me (think: The Book Thief, Arrested Development, Breaking Bad, just to name a few).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What advice do you have for aspiring writers?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My advice is simple: if you want to be a writer, write. Write, damn it, write. Get that pen out, turn on your laptop, use chalk for all I care – just write. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, I know it’s harder than it sounds, so allow me to share my creative writing confession: I often get ahead of myself – daydreaming about book tours and my short list of book cover illustrators – before I’ve even typed a sentence in Microsoft Word. Nuts. My best work is done when I stay in the moment, focusing no further than a chapter or two ahead, occasionally jotting down ideas for the ending. Once my brain drifts in to ‘Gabby accepting the Booker Prize’ dream sequences, I’m doomed. It means I’ve let the story get away from me and I’ve projected myself to the (unrealistic) end without enjoying the experience of writing.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My boyfriend, who also dabbles in creating writing, is patient with my mad-woman tendencies. He reminds me to let ‘Gabby the writer’ get the words down first, then let ‘Gabby the sub-editor’ fix them later. Until those words are down, ‘Gabby the sub-editor’ needs to be far away, caged in a basement if necessary. If I let her hang around for too long, she confuses matters with her ‘Is this sentence tight enough?’ and ‘I don’t think the intro works’ feedback. ‘Gabby the sub-editor’ is fantastic to have around for editing, but she’s a pain in the butt if she pokes her nose in beforehand. So, that’s it: write first, edit later. You can’t edit a blank page, folks.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last but not least: enjoy what you’re writing. Good ol’ Robert Frost (and my boys from Boston Legal) once said ‘No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader’. Translation: If you’re not feeling it, no one else will. Take pleasure in words – they’re cheeky little buggers. Play with them. Show them a good time. Have fun.</span></div>Laura Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631340335024407931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-827903701938440342010-11-23T07:48:00.000-08:002010-11-23T07:48:06.276-08:00Oh, the Irony (or, Writers Block as a Greek Tragedy)<div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuV-uHNVEU6GsfC9KPs6UN5B9kTQlTXtmAhQC3jCwcOF4WsqqZTxYhyphenhyphenCmcXMOiPmbJzzv_LITc0hOXCALMFHDJaovj5f2gPFW_oLRi_pZ9193ew6PzvtsUGS9dEMcgVgdkeiYJXdklbw/s1600/amanda_board11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuV-uHNVEU6GsfC9KPs6UN5B9kTQlTXtmAhQC3jCwcOF4WsqqZTxYhyphenhyphenCmcXMOiPmbJzzv_LITc0hOXCALMFHDJaovj5f2gPFW_oLRi_pZ9193ew6PzvtsUGS9dEMcgVgdkeiYJXdklbw/s1600/amanda_board11.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(via </span><a href="http://amanda-thomas.blogspot.com/2010/11/behind-scenes.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FTGCXY+%28Here+Comes+the+Sun%29"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Amanda Thomas</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">)</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am always a little scared to use the word </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">irony</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> in a sentence. People who know the true meaning of irony seem to get awfully angry – or at least sickeningly patronising – when somebody uses it the wrong way. Poor old Alanis Morissette. So I generally try to avoid it altogether.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nevertheless, I am feeling a little brave today. <i>Irony</i>, according to the Oxford dictionary, is<i> the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect; a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often wryly amusing as a result; and a literary technique (dramatic or tragic irony), originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions is clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.</i> I think my situation falls within the realm of the second definition. Maybe. To be honest, I don’t really know.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, what I was going to say, and please don’t crucify me if I have this wrong, was that <i>isn’t it ironic that the day I sit down to write a post about the nonexistence of writer’s block, I have writer’s block?</i> Well? Is that the correct usage? Hm. Actually, don't tell me. I'm sensitive like that.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My intended denunciation of writer’s block was inspired, in part, by Phillip Pullman’s damning dismissal of it:</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Writer's block…a lot of howling nonsense would be avoided if, in every sentence containing the word WRITER, that word was taken out and the word PLUMBER substituted; and the result examined for the sense it makes. Do plumbers get plumber's block? What would you think of a plumber who used that as an excuse not to do any work that day?</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The fact is that writing is hard work, and sometimes you don't want to do it, and you can't think of what to write next, and you're fed up with the whole damn business. Do you think plumbers don't feel like that about their work from time to time? Of course there will be days when the stuff is not flowing freely. What you do then is MAKE IT UP. I like the reply of the composer Shostakovich to a student who complained that he couldn't find a theme for his second movement. “Never mind the theme! Just write the movement!” he said.</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Writer's block is a condition that affects amateurs and people who aren't serious about writing. So is the opposite, namely inspiration, which amateurs are also very fond of. Putting it another way: a professional writer is someone who writes just as well when they're not inspired as when they are.</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He’s not the only one. Cyrese Covelli says: <i>Writer's block doesn't exist...lack of imagination does.</i> Warren Ellis opines: <i>Writer's block? I've heard of this. This is when a writer cannot write, yes? Then that person isn't a writer anymore. I'm sorry, but the job is getting up in the fucking morning and writing for a living.</i> My favourite tweeter Steve Martin jokes: <i>Writers block is a fancy term made up by whiners so they can have an excuse to drink alcohol.</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Harsh, yes? I think I needed to hear it, though. "Writer's block" evokes the idea of a kind of ailment; one which is out of the writer's control and can only be overcome with time or, as Pullman says icily, <i>inspiration</i>. I think these writers are right when they say that writer's block is an excuse concocted by failing, depleted wordsmiths, whose self-doubts are quelling their creative spirit. Clearly, it is something that needs to be conquered, if I ever want to succeed as a writer.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As superficial as it may seem, however, I suspect that I would feel a whole lot more inspired to write if I were being paid for my troubles. If writing were, as I hope it one day will be, my vocation. Maybe if I were, if not financially compensated, well-regarded. Honestly, I think it would be enough to be instilled with some sort of confidence that I was on the right path. Some assurance that my efforts are not for nothing; that they are leading somewhere worthwhile. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That is why, I think, aspiring writers tend to be at their best when they are locked inside a little bubble, spurred on by a sudden spark of inspiration that envelopes their being, shielding them from their self-doubts. As much as I write for the love of writing, it often seems fruitless. Which doesn’t make me want to stop writing altogether, but does hinder my completion or commencement of things because, let's face it, it is scary to think that I am expending all my time, energy and passion going about things the wrong way (if there is such a thing). So that is why I continually search for inspiration, trying to look for a sign, attempting to find something unique and brilliant inside of me, which will set me apart from all the rest.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And here I can use the third definition of irony, which is that of a Greek tragedy. I am the character, you are the audience. Reading this, you are all thinking, "So, aspiring writer, here is your problem in a nutshell: You cannot write, because you want to be a writer, and you are not." The solution is, obviously, to write. Argh! </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think the best advice I have ever received is from Susan Maushart, in an interview I conducted for this blog. Her advice for aspiring writers: <i>Write as if it were a job, not a hobby (or it always will be)</i>. There it is: the key. Whenever I feel myself becoming paralysed by writer's block, I should place myself under a delusional spell. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Imagining</i> that writing is my job. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Imagining</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> that I don't have an exam tomorrow or a shift at work in an hour. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Imagining</i> that people are reading my writing. <i>Imagining</i> that I am being paid hundreds of dollars to write a column. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And maybe one day, my imaginings will come true.</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-75xYTuAi_eTZQstQ6vwvxjOYk0lpgHjC7N-gIBD55nzu3252I6aqajqltSgdGk7jjO7V5pHclfUAp2Qkhk4-dDPEORPVLuhjRsCMbsob5OoZe01m-hpanzipj0Cbv9wP5PKGmvpzBo/s1600/eternal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-75xYTuAi_eTZQstQ6vwvxjOYk0lpgHjC7N-gIBD55nzu3252I6aqajqltSgdGk7jjO7V5pHclfUAp2Qkhk4-dDPEORPVLuhjRsCMbsob5OoZe01m-hpanzipj0Cbv9wP5PKGmvpzBo/s1600/eternal.jpg" /></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(via </span><a href="http://gjeldssanering.tumblr.com/post/1563306240"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gjeldssanering</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">)</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Laura Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631340335024407931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-60289786205496472462010-11-17T18:36:00.000-08:002010-11-18T00:10:01.221-08:00Rejection... from The Age - Part 1<div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlD9IH68cNE08jIMbuPDRP2l1az9hRu9Gl7mez_HliyZoOy6jznIdH9qReOxQV2U2MHeRtoeS6YylQhDE-LFizqCVXDEDnquy-M07j4gIZXy9TCMFtiEwOewZuoAS0pJmxI8i5ncbQGMl/s1600/sarah1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlD9IH68cNE08jIMbuPDRP2l1az9hRu9Gl7mez_HliyZoOy6jznIdH9qReOxQV2U2MHeRtoeS6YylQhDE-LFizqCVXDEDnquy-M07j4gIZXy9TCMFtiEwOewZuoAS0pJmxI8i5ncbQGMl/s320/sarah1111.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Hello readers, thought I would scare you with a little photo of myself and to make a connection with the post below</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Everyone will tell you when applying for jobs: <i>you have to be prepared for rejection.</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have had my fair share of rejection. I've not made the cut for jobs I've applied for at <a href="http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Geelong Advertiser</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/australian-way/global/en" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Qantas Magazine</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.marketingmag.com.au/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Marketing Magazine</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Adelaide Advertiser,</a> <a href="http://www.echo.net.au/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Echo (Byron Bay),</a> <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Herald Sun,</a> <a href="http://au.tv.yahoo.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Channel 7 </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and even</span><a href="http://www.cosmopolitan.com.au/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Cosmopolitan</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> - just to name a few.</span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Most recently, I received a rejection e-mail for a traineeship at <u style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/">The Age</a></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. They were looking for people with both journalism and photographic experience, which I have a lot of (along with a journalism degree and various other experience), so I was hopeful that I would make it to the interview round. I even stretched my contacts far and emailed Caroline Wilson, because my Grandma's hairdresser knows her and said it would be good to get in contact with her. </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Researching some old famous journalists for this blog, I've noticed that many got their good start with a cadetship at <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Age</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, Herald Sun or any other capital city daily newspaper. Knowing that they had received over 400 applications, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I rang The Age every second day for two weeks, trying to talk to the HR person so that I could show my interest and beg for an interview. Voice mail seemed to be a common echo as I never actually spoke to the HR person I asked for.</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Eventually I spoke to <u style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span id="goog_2007253994"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2007253998">Colin McKinnon<span id="goog_2007253995"></span></a>,</u><a href="http://about.theage.com.au/view_profile.php?intid=1588&inttype=1" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">who is the Editor of Training and Development at </span><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Age</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. He said that, as the email confirming that my resume had been received had said, I would get a response some time in November and we were still in November so I must wait.</span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last Thursday the rejection email came through:</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Thank you for your interest and application for the role of Editorial Trainee with The Age. We received many excellent applications. The process of shortlisting and giving each candidate proper consideration is a process that we attach great importance to.</i></span></i></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Unfortunately on this occasion your application has not been successful.</span></i></span></span></i></div></div></div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We would like to thank you for your interest in Fairfax and take this opportunity to wish you every success in your future career search. Please do not hesitate to apply for any of our future positions that may be of interest to you."</span></i></span></div></div></div></span></i><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Immediately I felt a rush of motivation (I have a typical left handed person's trait of being quick tempered) that I just <i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">must must must</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> call this </span><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Colin McKinnon</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> man and try begging for an interview again, ASAP. I really didn't know how to go about this whim and probably went about it the wrong way. When I got through to him I said what first came into my head, something along the lines of how passionate I am for the media, how I've had a lot of experience and love </span><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Age</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and could I please have an interview even though the rejection email just flew in?</span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And he said... NO! On this occasion, HR had conducted a thorough examination of the resumes and mine did not make the cut. Try again next time. If I wanted more specific feedback on my resume, call back at the start of December.</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So then I tried to tap into my creativity as my mind flew at a million miles per hour. Could I think of a statement right now that could somehow convince him that if I was given an interview, I would prove him wrong? Hmmm... nothing coming to mind. Should I offer to buy him a box of chocolates? He didn't really sound like a chocolate box kind of person. Is there some kind of fantastic lie or truth I can say about myself, like knowing some golden news story information that I could use to trade in for an interview? Hmmm... I am from Essendon but the whole <i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Underbelly</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> scene has been fairly quiet lately and, reality check Sarah, I don't know anything! Do I put on the waterworks and cry? Better not.</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Instead, I verbally vomited, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"I promise that if I was given an interview and made it to be trainee at <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/">The Age</a>, I will be the best trainee you have ever had and work extremely, ridiculously hard and put in huge hours." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was quite possibility one of the worst things I could say as he responded rightly, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Well, yes, I am sure you would but we tend to hear that from a lot of people." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He was very right and I felt stupid for saying such a ridiculous thing but I was honestly lost for words.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Does any one else have any ideas of what they think I could have said? Or what they think I should have done?</i></span></i></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nevertheless, what will be will be. Thought I would share that experience with you. There could have been a plenty of reasons why I didn't get an interview. Perhaps more intelligent people applied. Maybe when they went over my resume they psycho-analysed it and thought I wasn't appropriate. There could have been a spelling errors somewhere I didn't know about. Maybe I just wasn't what they were looking for. After all, a piece of paper on a resume is so much different to meeting someone in person - hence why you hear about a lot of CEOs these days tearing up resumes and hiring people based on their instincts. I believe the best thing to do now is just go back to the drawing board and reassess my resume and cover letter, which I will definitely do.</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I won't let the rejection bog me down and make me feel terrible. I will get back on my bike and continue to apply for jobs in journalism. Hopefully, time and place will coincide and I will meet a kindred spirit that I will work with in the future.</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Part 2 on Rejection will come soon.</span></i></div></div></div></div></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-69202716279600679822010-11-17T00:41:00.000-08:002010-11-18T00:18:21.186-08:00Interview: Jason Whittaker, Crikey Deputy Editor<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v352/86/36/751499423/n751499423_843944_7934.jpg" /></span></b></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jason Whittaker is a big deal. He is deputy editor of <a href="http://www.crikey.com.au/">Crikey </a>- the online news website published by Eric Beecher, Chairman of Private Media (Crikey, Business Spectator, Smart Company, Eureka Report) - who has previously edited The Sydney Morning Herald and The Herald Sun. Crikey is now one of the most popular Australia news websites around. </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While I was at university studying journalism, my lecturers always spoke very highly of Crikey and it was seen as a bit of a renegade publication.</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></span></div></div><div><div style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jason has had an interesting career that has seen him work for a number of different publications within the print and online media spectrum. </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A friend of mine did work experience at Crikey and described Jason as "a very cool guy and really nice with a good sense of humour". </span></b></span> Enjoy this fabulous interview. </span></b></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Why did you decide you wanted to work in the media?</span></b></span></div></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I never know how to answer that question. Truth is, I never wanted to be anything else.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You were previously the managing editor of <a href="http://www.traderbusinessmedia.com.au/" style="cursor: pointer; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Trader Business Media</span></a>, a division of <a href="http://www.acpmagazines.com.au/" style="cursor: pointer; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">ACP Magazines</span></a>, what was that experience like? And what kind of things did you have to do in that position?</span></b></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The experience was eye-opening in many ways. There’s nothing very romantic about working on business publications for specific industries. But what you learn very quickly is how important it is to know who you’re writing for and how to cater to their needs. And as a journalist that’s vital, no matter where you work.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I started as a sub-editor on one title, become more of a reporter, a news editor, a product editor and finally the managing editor of a number of titles across print and online.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What has been the best experience you have had in your career so far?</span></b></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I would say the opportunity I’ve had to travel. My last job allowed me to visit cities around the country and even around the world, which I was able to exploit.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is it like working for Crikey? And what is the difference working for an online publication? </span></b></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Crikey is quite different to where I was working previous, and in other ways very similar. It is an organisation that isn’t flush with resources and so the job becomes doing the best with what you have. I certainly had experience in that.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Crikey works around the clock in the online environment, but our day is still built around a lunchtime product with a daily deadline. So the pressure is always on.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You have done a huge amount of writing for a diverse range of publications. Where do you find your motivation and drive to write? </span></b></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The drive? Deadlines, pure and simple. They drive us all to get done what we have to get done. But certainly I love the craft of journalism, I’m curious about what’s happening in the world, and communicating that with the best product is always the goal.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do you think aspiring journalists should be thinking more about print or online media? </span></b></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think aspiring journalists should be thinking about being great journalists, pure and simple. There is absolutely a need for journalists to understand the online space, to be across the latest communication tools (social media, etc) and have a basic understanding of producing multi-media content. Your employability will depend on it. But great journalism is great journalism and great writing is great writing.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is your best piece of advice for aspiring writers and journalists? </span></b></span></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Write. Write passionately. And, most importantly, write prolifically. Getting a job in journalism has become a self-marketing exercise – it’s essential students and young journalists are volunteering their services on as many forums as possible to build a great portfolio, promote their name, and stand out from a crowded field in a market with fewer and fewer jobs.</span></span></span></div></div>Doorwayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863883995457144525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-78743013520216111492010-11-11T23:22:00.000-08:002010-11-12T01:33:27.497-08:00November 12: Events and Opportunities<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This post is one of a weekly series, which will share various events and opportunities available in the writing and journalism industry. If you have an event or opportunity that you believe will be beneficial to young people who love to journalism and writing, please don't hesitate to contact us.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Please rest assured that there is no conflict of interest; all of these suggestions are made independently.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="Photo by Tamara Voninski" height="126" src="http://www.walkleys.com/images/16357.jpg" width="320" /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Walkley Foundation</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Walkley have a new series of digital training courses coming up in November and December in Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra. The course are focusing on social media, digital media, and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">multimedia storytelling. For more information, look<a href="http://www.walkleys.com/training"> here</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">bwired’s SEO/SEM, Mobile, Social Media & Analytics Seminar </span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melbourne</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">November 17</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">bwired’s free website strategy seminar covers web trends and online strategy that will set your website up for success. Understand what these hot topics are all about, and how to incorporate them into your website plan. More information <a href="http://mumbrella.com.au/events?event_id=605">here</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">NaNoWriMo</span></b></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This event is ideal for the aspiring novelists amongst us. Spanning the month of November, National Novel Writing Month (also known as NaNoWriMo) challenges participants to write 50,000 words of a new novel in one month. Writers wishing to participate should register on the project's website, where they can post profiles and information about their novels, including synopses and excerpts. Word counts are validated on the site, with writers submitting a copy of their novel for automatic counting. Laura will be participating as of November 14; please feel free to add her as a "writing buddy" (laura_valerie).</span></div></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-78791350737654807852010-11-10T22:45:00.000-08:002010-11-10T22:45:37.161-08:00Interview: Laura Greaves, Freelance Writer<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAlFNYZO94To0ziXCPARoKzLAayiDs_e4ioEd1T_w34sFB7R8GGAbHufNTcrzZOsCguwxO7i7A0Xlmb0sbGZWZgtBsRjVe2lVlCYGKlBsv9plE-MEOutiYcAe4LHcFvnfSOkoVTGkAzY/s1600/LGreaves2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAlFNYZO94To0ziXCPARoKzLAayiDs_e4ioEd1T_w34sFB7R8GGAbHufNTcrzZOsCguwxO7i7A0Xlmb0sbGZWZgtBsRjVe2lVlCYGKlBsv9plE-MEOutiYcAe4LHcFvnfSOkoVTGkAzY/s640/LGreaves2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="426" /></a></span></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">I came across the lovely Laura Greaves just a few months ago, when I read her <a href="http://wordsmithlane.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/interview-laura-greaves-freelance-writer/">interview</a> with Sarah Ayoub on Sarah's wonderful writer's blog <a href="http://wordsmithlane.wordpress.com/">Wordsmith Lane</a>. Laura's inspiring talent and generous nature shined through her words, which prompted me to reach out to her via email; I will be forever grateful to the kind encouragement she gave me in return. Laura is an accomplished writer, editor and journalist, with over 10 years of experience and multiple awards under her belt. She is currently working as a sought-after freelance writer for such publications as Woman's Day, Good Health and Studio Brides; as well as completing studies in screenwriting and posting on her delightful new blog, which you can find at her website, <a href="http://www.lauragreaves.com/">Laura Greaves</a>. Laura's answers to my interview questions were so comprehensive that there is not much more to say - so enjoy! </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Please describe your career trajectory.</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">I had my first journalism job while I was still at high school in Adelaide: I was a student reporter for News Limited's short-lived South Australian youth newspaper, Y. After finishing high school a year early, I skipped uni and instead landed a three-year journalism cadetship with Adelaide's The Advertiser newspaper. It was such a fantastic grounding in journalism - I covered everything from car crashes and murder trials to sports and business news. I became the paper's first ever dedicated Youth Affairs Reporter and in 2001 was named Australian Young Journalist of the Year for my coverage of young people and youth issues. I also worked as Fashion Editor at the same time! In 2002 I moved to London and worked for Conde Nast magazines, not as a writer but on the production side of things. To be honest, I was awful at it - but it did provide a valuable insight into the 'business end' of putting out a magazine. After that I moved to a major suburban London newspaper as Entertainment Editor, which was a blast - I interviewed some big names, including Jack Nicholson, Reese Witherspoon and Halle Berry... but the real highlight for me was interviewing Matt and Luke Goss from the 80s boy band Bros (my first true loves!) Then I moved to another London paper to launch their entertainment supplement, and also did a load of freelancing for UK magazines and national newspapers including the Daily Mirror. I moved to Sydney in 2007 and briefly worked as a book publicist, then became Deputy Editor of ACP's Slimming & Health magazine. I became Editor a year later, but sadly the magazine closed not long after. That's when I made the leap into full-time freelancing, which I absolutely love.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><b>How did you know you wanted to be a writer?</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">Without wanting to sound all hoity-toity, writing has always felt like a vocation rather than a career choice for me. I honestly can't recall a time when I wasn't writing and never actually decided to 'become' a writer - it was always just a given. I still have my grade two report card, where my teacher wrote that she thought I'd be suited to a career in journalism (perhaps because I'm so nosy?!). I think that was the first time I understood that it was possible to write stories for a living and from that moment I was set on being a journo. I do remember, in my teens, briefly flirting with the idea of becoming an occupational therapist (!) and my dad telling me not to be so silly - that I was a writer and that's all there was to it! (Thanks dad!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><b>What is your writing routine?</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">For whatever reason, I write best in the afternoons so I use the mornings for 'admin' stuff - going running, walking the dog, errands, emails etc - and then chain myself to my desk from about 1pm to 7pm. (Of course, this changes when I have a lot of deadlines!) I also do the odd bit of in-house sub-editing work, so occasionally I may find myself commuting like the rest of the world! At the moment I'm in the process of restructuring the way I work. I'm also studying screenwriting part time and found that juggling my film school workload with my 'proper' work left me feeling a bit creatively adrift. So I'm now trying to condense my freelance work into three days per week so that I can have two days to work on screenplays, novels, paintings... whatever takes my fancy, really! I feel that when you do a creative thing for a living, it can actually suck a lot of the creativity out of it - so it's important to make time to let your imagination loose!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><b>What do you read?</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">I don't seem to have a lot of time to read proper books these days (unless I'm on holiday!), but I adore biographies of interesting and inspiring people and I've recently been rediscovering some of the all-time classic novels. My absolute favourite books are Anne of Green Gables and Jane Eyre; I read them over and over and discover something new every time. I'm also a total magazine junkie: I love WHO, Real Living and Shop Til You Drop (I'd love my mag list to include some more high-brow titles, but it's just not going to happen!) There's also several blogs I check out daily, including Erica Bartle's Girl With a Satchel and Sarah Ayoub's Wordsmith Lane. Another favourite is my genius interior designer friend Ange's Wicker & Stitch (http://wickerandstitch.blogspot.com) and a whole host of vintage clothing blogs. And of course I have my own blog at <a href="http://www.lauragreaves.com/">www.lauragreaves.com</a>!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Which writer do you most admire and why?</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">Wow. Great question! I honestly don't think I could choose just one. There are so many fab freelancers in Australia, I wouldn't even know where to begin! In terms of novelists, I think the UK writer Dorothy Koomson (<a href="http://www.dorothykoomson.co.uk/">www.dorothykoomson.co.uk</a>) is fantastic - she's a working journalist but somehow finds time to write very readable, incredibly moving stories about love, friendship etc... all those important things. But I would have to say my all-time writing hero is Tina Fey. She's a brilliantly sharp and funny writer and is able to turn her hand to seemingly anything. I kind of want to be her!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><b>What inspires you?</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">Goodness, where to begin?! In no particular order... sunny days, great TV (every time I watch Mad Men or Love My Way, I'm literally breathless with how amazing the writing is!), my dog, terrible 80s music, stories of triumph against the odds, my go-getting friends, travel, sleep, my lovely husband, running, my frighteningly clever eight-year-old god-daughter, people who live their dreams, New York City.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><b>What do you love about being a writer?</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">I love that it allows me to meet people whose paths I may otherwise never cross. Recently, for example, I interviewed a Melbourne-based mother of four who is living with depression and serious illness and has to deal with a hell of a lot just to get out of bed every morning. She was so positive and matter-of-fact and inspiring that after our chat I felt like I could do anything. There's no way I would have had the opportunity to meet her had I not been writing a feature on living with mental illness. I love that! And what I particularly love about being a freelance writer and working from home is that it gives me the ability to stop and smell the roses occasionally!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><b>What advice do you have for aspiring writers?</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">It may sound obvious but WRITE! So many would-be writers think about writing and talk about writing and set themselves arbitrary deadlines - eg 'I will write a chapter of my novel every month for a year' - but don't actually get down to the business of putting pen to paper. I speak from experience, because I am an all-star procrastinator! But I guarantee that once you sit down and start scribbling - even if you're just writing about what you did yesterday - the words will start to flow and you'll wonder why you ever put it off. There's a writing quote that I love: 'Q: How do I get published? A: Write a great book'. The same can be said of freelance journalism - you'll never see your name in print if you don't just sit down and do it. I think blogging is a great way to start - it gets you in the habit of writing something every day. Force yourself if you have to, but make sure you get those words on that page!</div>Laura Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631340335024407931noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-21046619417039908452010-11-10T05:42:00.000-08:002010-11-10T22:56:23.288-08:00Interview: Florencia Cavallo, ABC Journalist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8io8tyFsaFbHtlP11uE-DxcbDNbOI8prrxGvFYRVZuAH09T-EoYthY3b5wbbYm7MyQFxofJOL83S0llDwQuYzmokDfXuu-UQnTP9D4JL4EefqE74mnVc6ZF_AOLB_ffVCsNLcBBECZ_1/s1600/Florencia+ABC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8io8tyFsaFbHtlP11uE-DxcbDNbOI8prrxGvFYRVZuAH09T-EoYthY3b5wbbYm7MyQFxofJOL83S0llDwQuYzmokDfXuu-UQnTP9D4JL4EefqE74mnVc6ZF_AOLB_ffVCsNLcBBECZ_1/s640/Florencia+ABC.jpg" width="464" /></span></a></div><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Florencia Cavallo is an inspiring young journalist. After securing a job as an ABC reporter in Coffs Harbour earlier this year, Florencia shows that taking risks and moving interstate is all part of the journey to being a successful reporter. Not only is Florencia a good journalist, she is kind, polite and caring towards others. Remember her name, we've got a feeling at </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doorways</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> she is going to go far. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Why did you want to become a journalist?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have always been a nosy person, ever since I was little. I’ve always wanted to know what’s going on in the world. I like meeting people, talking to people, and telling their stories. I knew that by being a journalist; I would learn something interesting everyday. And I have. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Where did you study? Do you think much of what you learnt at university was useful in relation to your job today?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I did my Bachelor of Media Studies, with a journalism major, at La Trobe University in Melbourne. I think like most degrees, they are useful to a point, but to be honest most of what I have learnt has been on the job. University definitely prepared me and taught me things like ethics, working to deadlines, issues with law, and of course the basics in regards to news writing.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But I don’t think university can teach you to be inquisitive and passionate about news. You either have it in your blood or you don’t. I mean if you’re not interested in learning new things, and if you don’t enjoy talking to people and finding out what the story is, you’re never going to make it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>When and how did you start at the ABC?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I knew I wanted to work for the ABC, so my focus was getting my foot in the door with the company, no matter where I had to move to. After a gruelling interview process I got a call saying I got the job. I was ecstatic. I packed my life into my car and moved to Coffs Harbour three weeks later. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>So far, what have been some of your most memorable experiences? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ah that’s a really hard question. I think everyday is an experience. To say that one has been the most memorable would just not be true. Covering the federal election was good fun, definitely memorable. Such a busy time! It was the first election I had covered.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What was it like moving interstate?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It’s actually being ok. I’ve always enjoyed travelling so I was happy to move. Coffs Harbour is a really interesting place to live. Because we cover the entire mid north coast, there’s always a lot happening, and it’s an area that is growing quickly so we have plenty of interesting stories to report. But of course I miss my beloved Melbourne. I’ll be back one day.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What are some of the funny things that have happened to you?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh, I think being a ‘Victorian’ is really not an advantage when moving to NSW. I am still getting the names of some regional towns wrong, and it’s especially embarrassing if I do it on air. And of course getting lost during the first few weeks and being late for press conferences were not fun times. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What's been your best new piece?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don’t know that it was my best piece, but it’s one that has stayed with me because it was so sad. I covered a coronial inquiry into a little boy who died. And the way the parents spoke about their child, and the pain they were in, was just overwhelming. I think covering things like that really make you learn how to be compassionate and sensitive to families who are going through so much pain. And because there is that level of respect and care, the story ends up being compelling to listen to. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What does an average day consist of?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finding stories, in a nutshell. I have a coffee to start, then sift through emails and never ending press releases. Which ones are important in our area? What do our listeners care about? What do they actually mean? Then the fun starts: putting calls in for interviews, reading newspapers, listening and watching other news to see what else is happening, doing interviews and then filing stories. It’s about quality and quantity. Each journo does anywhere from three to six stories a day (two versions of each). We produce the bulletins, do live crosses to Sydney if they’re big stories, police rounds, file stories for online, and we read five live bulletins daily. They’re full-on days.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What is interesting about working for the ABC? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Their training, ethics etc. I just love how diverse it is. There’s so much room to work on stories that interest you, and every day is a challenge. We don’t just work as journalists, but we are news readers, producers, online journalists and twitterers.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What advice would you give to others wanting to work for the ABC? And whats the best advice you were given along the way?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Journalism is a really competitive industry, everyone knows that. I think it’s important to be sure of yourself (without being obnoxious) and know your potential. I think whether it’s the ABC you want to work for, or any other company, it’s important to keep your head up and keep applying for positions. Don’t take no for an answer, and if you get turned down for a job, think about what you learn from it, and how you can utilise that skill to ace your next interview.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think the important thing is not to give up. A lot of people graduate having a passion for news and current affairs and it slowly dies off because they are exhausted by the process they have to go through. But everyone goes through it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The best advice I could have gotten was to do work experience and volunteer work while at uni. No one cares if you have a degree – anyone can graduate with good marks. But have you tried to get published? Have you put in hard work at community TV and radio stations? How much work experience have you done? What about internships? Casual work? That’s what employers care about.</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I was lucky enough to have a husband who really supported me, and pushed me to keep pursuing my dream. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What are your long term goals? Where do you hope your career to go?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ve always known that I want to focus on TV reporting. I enjoy the creative side of TV news, working with pictures and audio to create a story people enjoy watching and remember even after they have turned off their TVs. And I would really like to be part of a team who is focused on live news coverage.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But as a really wise person once told me “a career is a marathon, not a race”. And at this stage, I’m just enjoying the ride.</span></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-37297010680156474152010-11-07T04:32:00.000-08:002010-11-07T05:13:29.047-08:00Overcoming the little voices that tell you that you can't write<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTQO_tCsxjnZgjuLsqvsCTncu9WhODxfcGEtlbbpfTuEf2g0SfGYEPti1swzb-AVKcx3FrXe106CgN69UtPLsX_AwnksW8vsp8n0IuLqZBBrkcPuqnwaGAOgYrYEK4Jhj-6icwxWxTOED/s1600/sleepy+surf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTQO_tCsxjnZgjuLsqvsCTncu9WhODxfcGEtlbbpfTuEf2g0SfGYEPti1swzb-AVKcx3FrXe106CgN69UtPLsX_AwnksW8vsp8n0IuLqZBBrkcPuqnwaGAOgYrYEK4Jhj-6icwxWxTOED/s640/sleepy+surf1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes the writer's mind can feel like a sleepy and slow place</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This week I have been a spring racing carnival junkie - I didn't just go to one race meet, I went to four of the big ones including Cox Plate, Melbourne Cup, Oaks Day and Stakes Day. So it is little wonder, after a few champagne filled days, that I am struggling to think of ideas for what to write a column on as my brain cells restore themselves. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You know the feeling where your head feels empty and you start to feel cranky and stressed because you are frustrated with yourself that you can think of any ideas for a post? Or let alone motivate yourself to write something? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have plenty of ideas on what to write about flying around my head but the stress is dealing with a negative mentality that says, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>'No I don't think you know enough about that..'</i> or <i>'</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>That needs way more research if you are going to write on that...' </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So how do you combat that sneaky little voice in your head telling you that you can't do it? Where do you find the confidence to overcome the negative inner chatter and basically... just write? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Why is it that we feel fear and irritation with ourselves just to get started? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My personal solution to the problem: take a huge, deep breath and let it out. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I remember once reading that after all the research and remedies for overcoming stress around the world, there was no solution more effective than taking a deep breath. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You then must imagine the breath blowing away the negative thoughts. I get to the point where I just about shout at the negative voice to be quiet and turn up the mental volume on the positive thinking that you can do it - millions of people have written books, articles and posts, what is stopping you from it doing it? Thus reminding yourself that you would be better off writing something than nothing at all and once you get started, you normally can go on.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then write... write, write, write! It is a little tacky yet true, like the Nike slogan - just do it because no one really cares about your excuses. </span></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-66846723289740012242010-11-04T19:02:00.000-07:002010-11-04T19:04:09.289-07:00November 5: Weekly Wrap-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bJfsoomkpFGVmt5lBqYAKolqm0gPkPa7dKBp5wTaiMujqNoNifQyv_4Nqli89zjj8PNK8e3RdrRCZFY-ccLGUWUkNKcBIO-PrteHX5G4ne8wajh0d3j9By_untb5bqo4r6_dC9H8qnw/s1600/pretty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bJfsoomkpFGVmt5lBqYAKolqm0gPkPa7dKBp5wTaiMujqNoNifQyv_4Nqli89zjj8PNK8e3RdrRCZFY-ccLGUWUkNKcBIO-PrteHX5G4ne8wajh0d3j9By_untb5bqo4r6_dC9H8qnw/s1600/pretty.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="http://jenniferweiner.com/forwriters.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For Writers | Jennifer Weiner</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Novelist Jennifer Weiner's tips for aspiring writers, in a neat 10 step life-plan. Wonderful advice!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://adamwestbrook.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/the-7-step-plan-to-turn-your-journalism-degree-into-a-career/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7 Steps for Turning your Journalism Degree into a Successful Journalism Career | Adam Westbrook</span></b></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Similarly, a 7 step plan for aspiring journalists, by successful freelance journalist (among other things!) Adam Westbrook. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="http://www.viceland.com/wp/2009/04/battleship-island-japans-rotting-metropolis%3Fsrc%3Dus"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Battleship Island: Japan's Rotting Metropolis | Vice | Alex Hoban</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A sparkling piece of investigative photojournalism.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/62960"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kurt Vonnegut: How to Get a Job Like Mine | Mental Floss</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Literary legend Kurt Vonnegut dispenses advice to young writers. (His primary piece of advice: don't use semicolons. Oops.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2010/10/11/101011crbo_books_surowiecki"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What Does Procrastination Tell Us About Ourselves? | The New Yorker | James Surowieki</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you are a writer, you almost definitely spend a great deal of time procrastinating. This brilliant New Yorker article provides some insight into why we procrastinate and how to overcome it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Photo via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/clareowenillustration/4844808442/">Clare Owen Illustration</a>)</span></div>Laura Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631340335024407931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-83908530761764540152010-11-04T00:00:00.000-07:002010-11-04T09:09:14.216-07:00Interview: Benjamin Law, Writer<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqXrf6F1trKWhlQ6PP2UHf5m7q_6LuQCofWIZC014R0eTAsPacWEb2AaUXvWamAnguZCd89ZQAw4r1YnKnJESR2V4PSUq_mP09Mbt3HCZmklhbxhEbYnbNow-UWOjsHSAzvUxsTHTWPo/s1600/benjamin-law.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqXrf6F1trKWhlQ6PP2UHf5m7q_6LuQCofWIZC014R0eTAsPacWEb2AaUXvWamAnguZCd89ZQAw4r1YnKnJESR2V4PSUq_mP09Mbt3HCZmklhbxhEbYnbNow-UWOjsHSAzvUxsTHTWPo/s1600/benjamin-law.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Photo courtesy of <a href="http://tammylaw.com/">Tammy Law</a> (All Rights Reserved)</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Benjamin Law's byline first caught my eye when I came across </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.benjamin-law.com/2010/01/bogan-or-gay/">"Bogan or Gay?"</a> in <i>frankie</i> magazine.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> It was hysterically funny, and I proceeded to read it aloud to every member of my family, who all loved it just as much as I did. Ever since, I have flicked straight to Ben's articles every time <i>frankie</i> arrives in my mailbox - they never fail to make me laugh, cry and think. His quietly provocative articles for <i>The Monthly</i> (particularly <a href="http://www.benjamin-law.com/2008/09/saving-yourself/">Saving Yourself</a> and <a href="http://www.benjamin-law.com/2009/07/a-gay-old-time/">A Gay Old Time</a>) are also wonderful and his debut book <i>The Family Law</i>, a refreshingly candid, side-splitting anthology of stories about his wonderfully eccentric (yet touchingly relatable) family, is brilliant.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ben is a freelance writer. He is a senior contributor to frankie magazine and his work has also appeared in The Monthly, Qweekend, Sunday Life, The Big Issue, New Matilda and The Courier Mail. <i>The Family Law</i> was released this year to raving reviews and has shot to the very top of the best seller list at <a href="http://www.avidreader.com.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&category_id=10&product_id=891&Itemid=12&vmcchk=1&Itemid=68">Avid Reader</a> (beating even Stieg Larsson). If you would like to find out more about Ben, you can visit his <a href="http://www.benjamin-law.com/">website</a>, follow him on <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/mrbenjaminlaw">twitter</a> and read this interview, which he generously granted us while working on his new project in Tokyo. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9f4ngWc8JBQyHzAgOqwNpP4W3PumGbTeaHAQSQG9-rpk3U1mrf2FRb9c2jbMnrR3VBtHOpBz3TZfziztiO_8pVG-vgmCAa623YSNCIAIukhANoKD546CuC9K0u6tbBRE9L8-gGOBuwL0/s1600/FamilyLaw.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9f4ngWc8JBQyHzAgOqwNpP4W3PumGbTeaHAQSQG9-rpk3U1mrf2FRb9c2jbMnrR3VBtHOpBz3TZfziztiO_8pVG-vgmCAa623YSNCIAIukhANoKD546CuC9K0u6tbBRE9L8-gGOBuwL0/s1600/FamilyLaw.gif" /></a></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Please describe your career trajectory.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've always loved reading and wrote stupid stories as a kid. But I probably first got into magazine writing properly when I wrote the Letter of the Month at Rolling Stone as a 16-year-old. The editor sent me a Panasonic stereo for my troubles. (It’s the stereo I still use to this day.) I’m idiotically proud of the fact my first byline was a paid one — if you count stereos as payment. From there, I did a creative writing degree and started writing for every magazine that would take me on.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How did you know you wanted to be a writer?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm not sure if was actually a life ambition from the start. But I do remember reading an article in Rolling Stone as a teenager that blew my mind, called The True Story of John/Joan. It was one of the longest stories I'd ever read in the magazine, and looked at a true life case of twin boys in the US where one had a botched circumcision. Scientists effectively tried to make that boy into a girl, and the resulting life story just defied belief. It was probably the first non-fiction I'd read that read like a gripping novel. That got me thinking about the stuff I'd want to write about.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is your writing routine?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Up until recently, my routine was pretty ad-hoc. My boyfriend produces radio for the ABC and gets out of bed at 3.30am. So out of guilt, my schedule used to run like clockwork: wake up at 6.30am; roll out of bed; green tea; check email; read news; shower; housework; writing/interviewing/editing by 9am. Swim laps; dinner; write some more; sleep. But now, because my research has taken me overseas, I've had to adjust to writing on the road, in airport terminals, in bed — whenever. The concept of routine has pretty much been stolen from me now.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What do you read?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Everything I can get my hands on. Regularly, I read magazines like The New Yorker, GQ (US version), Details, Time, National Geographic and Butt, which is this terrific Dutch gay magazine. Every day, I trawl through Australian, UK and American news websites, and also a fantastic queer news portal called Towleroad. And I'm always reading book, whether it's fiction or non-fiction. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Which writer do you most admire and why?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are way too many. David Sedaris, obviously — he's a genius and one of the funniest people alive. I adore Jonathan Franzen and Zadie Smith, and the way they both write about people and families in their fiction. Chris Heath and Susan Orlean are two American non-fiction writers who I think are wonderful, and closer to home, people like Chloe Hooper, Helen Garner and Anna Krien do it for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What inspires you?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">People. I just think people are super interesting.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What do you love about being a writer?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's great being a writer if you have a short ADHD attention span like me. Every new story is literally a new job; it's impossible for me to get bored.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What are you working on at the moment?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Right now, I'm in Tokyo where I'm doing research on queer celebrity culture, especially on TV here. It's part of a bigger travel adventure book that looks at queer people throughout the Asian continent. Earlier in the year, I was in Thailand going backstage with the nation's biggest ladyboy competition, and in China looking at how young gays and lesbians connect on the internet, in a country where the internet is heavily moderated.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How important do you think it is for writers to have a unique, recognisable voice, even when they are writing for publications?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It really depends on the publication you're writing for. I've been with frankie magazine since its second issue, and both Louise (founding editor) and Jo (current editor) both really encourage their writers to present themselves as a character. As a result, it's probably one of the few magazines out there where readers pay attention to the bylines and flick immediately to their favourite writer, whether it's Marieke Hardy or Justin Heazlewood or Daniel Evans. As writers, that's really gratifying.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do you tweak your writing process or mindset when you are writing journalistic pieces for The Monthly, as opposed to your irreverent (often quietly heartfelt) musings in frankie?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All the different magazines I write for demand different things. The Monthly is usually a bit more involved and I invest more time into research and interviews, whereas frankie is often about making sure things are as funny as possible, but super-focused on a theme since the stories are usually capped at 650 words.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What advice do you have for aspiring writers?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Read anything you can get your hands on. Be curious about everything and everyone around you. And then, finally, take notes.</span></div>Laura Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631340335024407931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-85726084605880493772010-11-02T19:01:00.000-07:002010-11-03T22:51:11.493-07:00Interview: Adam Joseph, Marketing Writer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC01avxqez-53bNCaiJHCW6wEK2AAIhNgTGAoPP9tgO27NrImRTsUidDpUGPxEblP8ar05MMHMUcpkMoVTT6XgKBO3X4tXXjmYVFQQTloK4F1xlwb_g7s_9j9m9QDjwxPTkC261wqLjR3J/s1600/Adam+Joseph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC01avxqez-53bNCaiJHCW6wEK2AAIhNgTGAoPP9tgO27NrImRTsUidDpUGPxEblP8ar05MMHMUcpkMoVTT6XgKBO3X4tXXjmYVFQQTloK4F1xlwb_g7s_9j9m9QDjwxPTkC261wqLjR3J/s640/Adam+Joseph.jpg" width="449" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is by far one the funniest interviews I have ever read. Adam has answered the questions in fabulous style - the responses are engaging and easy to read but at the same time add a great element of humour to them. He works for the Herald Sun as their Readership Director but has had an extensive career in newspapers. Funnily enough, I met Adam at the mUmBRELLA Question Time breakfast last week and he was just as pleasant in real life. Enjoy his interivew and I hope it gives you an insight into other areas of newspapers.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Could you tell us a little about your career trajectory?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was born a long time ago in a tiny fishing hamlet in ... actually, no scrap that it's going to take far too long. How about this: graduated from university with a degree in social anthropology. Commenced a career in marketing. Moved into newspapers. Now specialise in marketing strategy and consumer insights. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Can you tell us more about your role as Readership Director at The Herald Sun?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's a funny little job title. I'll let you into a secret - I made it up. In essence, my role is a senior marketing one charged with helping to make the entire business more "customer-centric". Our two main customers are readers and advertisers and so my role sees me working across all major business units. I head up all market research that we undertake at HWT, which ultimately fuels our strategic thinking and contributes to the strategic planning process. I just made all that up too, you like?! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>You've worked in the newspaper industry for over 10 years, what makes you excited about it?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What excites me is that I'm half way through my life sentence and will soon be eligible to apply for parole. But seriously, the thing that excites me most is working with such strong brands which ultimately help to connect people - connecting them to their interests, connecting them to eachother and connecting them to the wider society. "Newsbrands" on all content platforms i.e. print, digital, mobile - will continue to play an important role in society for many decades to come. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What are some of the differences in the newspaper industry in the UK and Australia?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think the Australian newspaper sector is in a much stronger position that the UK newspaper sector right now. In fact, I wrote an article recently on this and as a shameless self-publicist it would be inappropriate of me not to mention it here: http://www.slideshare.net/AdamJoseph/newspapers-waving-not-drowning-bt-feb-2009</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>You have a column in B&T magazine, how do you find trying to think of ideas for your column? And what kind of response do you get from readers?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Great question. Inspiration for columns can come from all manner of different places. Things that make you laugh out loud or snort with anger are usually good places to start. Things you hear that send your bullshit-detector into DEFCON 1 status are good. And all the usual suspects - things you read in newspapers, conversations you have with people, conference speakers you heckle etc. Inspiration is a bit like perspiration - it can come from almost anywhere, given strenous enough exercise. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As for reader response to my columns, I'm really not sure - but I tell you what, I have both of their phone numbers so I'll call them up and get back to you if that's OK? If they're still talking to me that is ... </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>You have seen many journalists and writers in your time, what do you think makes a good one?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm not a journalist but I do enjoy writing - I'd probably describe myself as a "marketing writer". To your question, I think the profession of journalism is similar to the profession of marketing in that there are several different "segments" of the craft. These range from old-school investigative journalists, to opinion columnists, to feature and lifestyle journalists and so on. For me, a "good" journalist tells an engaging story with good illustrations and uses humour wherever possible. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>What is your best advice for young people who want to go into the media industry? And may even want to branch out to the marketing side of things?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Go see a head doctor. No, my honest advice would be to study hard, network harder and try to get on the career ladder on any rung that you can within in the media sector, even if it's not your "dream job" or in fact anything like it. Then work really hard and do your best to get noticed. As for subsequently branching into marketing, I'd suggest joining the "Emerging Marketers" group which is part of the Australian Marketing Institute. And then go from there. </span></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-40006558356346882942010-11-01T01:56:00.000-07:002010-11-01T02:30:41.574-07:00Don't Overlook the Local Rag...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Surf Coast Times Oct 26" height="640" src="http://surfcoasttimes.com.au/images/surfcoasttimes001_oct26.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="464" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't overlook community newspapers for experience - Surf Coast Times, VIC</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>This is an article I wrote when I finished working as a journalist for a community newspaper 6 months ago. For readers, it will give you a good insight into the types of experiences you can have at a community newspaper. They are golden training grounds that allow you the opportunity to have a plethora of new experiences. I know that today many young people look upon them as stuffy and stodgy pieces of rubbish that would be better use as bonfire fuel. But if you look at famous Australian journalists today, you will find that a large majority of them started in community newspapers including Ita Buttrose, Naomi Robson and Jessica Parry.</i></span></span></div></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"I feel like I am in mourning. I have recently left my job as a journalist at a regional community newspaper after two years and I will miss it. But it has been a very interesting experience.</span></span></div></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was offered the job half-way through my degree after doing work experience at the paper. I have been working there two days a week ever since. That’s why I would suggest to any student the value of work experience, and not overlooking sometimes boring community newspapers for the more ‘glamorous’ or ‘cool’ media such as fashion magazines.</span></span></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://origin-www.thewest.com.au/adop/ratecards/regional%20ratecards/WEB/images/broome-advertiser-cover.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://origin-www.thewest.com.au/adop/ratecards/regional%20ratecards/WEB/images/broome-advertiser-cover.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broome's local newspaper, WA</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It has been an amazing experience that not only gave me experience as a working journalist but as a photographer, receptionist, database gatekeeper, website updater, broad range journalist – I have written on everything from sport, music and hard news, to feeling like a pseudo counsellor at times for interviewees. I also started as an untrained photographer so having the confidence to give things a go is important for young aspiring journalists.</span></span></div></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I now understand almost every facet of a newspaper from what the graphic designers do to what the publisher does, the importance of advertising revenue for a free newspaper, respect for the owners of the paper, and how the printers can make costly mistakes.</span></span></div></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In an average week , I would take up to nine photos and write up to nine articles of all sizes. You don’t have to be as fast a writer as you would in a daily newspaper, but you do have to be organised. I may have spent a day and a half getting all the interviews and photos done to then spend an afternoon writing articles and putting it all together.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"></span></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a 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" 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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Byron Bay Echo, NSW</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"></span>Right from the start it was very much a sink or swim environment. Yes, I had other staff members to help me but like may newspapers, we were underresourced so there was not a lot of time to sit down for a chat. I just had to think hard, have an eye for detail, be thorough in my work and network with people in the region. Apart from university, there was never any further training either.</span></span></div></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However, there were many good things about working there. I had a lot of creative freedom with the photos, and I developed a good working relationship with my editor that would allow me to put forward the stories my contacts suggested. I also got to interview many celebrities such as Arj Barker, Bertie Blackman, Little Birdy, Darryl Braitwaite, James Reyne and Ray Martin, as well as meeting and interviewing many politicians.</span></span></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://covers.ruralpress.com/cover.asp?pubid=44&foldername=F&size=2&type=i" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://covers.ruralpress.com/cover.asp?pubid=44&foldername=F&size=2&type=i" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawkesbury Gazette, NSW</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also, a lot of the content I produced was advertising driven. This was often a problem because when a client decided to advertise with us, the sales staff would promise them a free editorial. However, many clients didn’t understand that the editorial was separate from their advertising and often demanded to see </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the editorial before it was published, to ensure it was what they wanted it say.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.apnonline.com.au/img/news/2007/07/30/noosa-protest_t325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://media.apnonline.com.au/img/news/2007/07/30/noosa-protest_t325.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noosa News, QLD</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This really sharpened my integrity and respect for the profession – it is important for journalists not to feel bullied or pushed into writing for their advertisers. Instead, you have to keep respect for your audience in the back of your mind. Although, it was difficult when some clients spoke in ‘advertising’ speak during their interviews, it was up to me and a good challenge to try make what they were saying extremely interesting. </span></span></div></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Writing about so many advertisers though, has given me a thorough knowledge of many different kinds of jobs. I also lived in the town where a lot of them were based, so I now know who is good to go to for </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">services, who is nice and it has been interesting hearing from people on all the different issues they are having in a community. I also enjoyed writing about new businesses, and helping them attract more customers with the articles I wrote.</span></div></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Overall, it was a life-changing experience that I will never regret. For students who want a broad range of experience in the media, community newspaper."</span></span></div></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-87345741761728079172010-10-29T07:00:00.000-07:002010-11-03T22:54:23.783-07:00Planting Seeds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJ7uZnEEtp3ORKCXKc7_pa1lNhLUzOznUZUEnNg2Llzrayd0Q5puVZPnbrt9_xk0xIOH8FJYiEyfCALHc0uPEKdw4aBZsXpYTjaXK1QDFxVRa_T38IsY-jromKtNdLo7qR37dtnz9lls/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJ7uZnEEtp3ORKCXKc7_pa1lNhLUzOznUZUEnNg2Llzrayd0Q5puVZPnbrt9_xk0xIOH8FJYiEyfCALHc0uPEKdw4aBZsXpYTjaXK1QDFxVRa_T38IsY-jromKtNdLo7qR37dtnz9lls/s1600/flowers.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is something demoralising about openly identifying yourself as an aspiring writer. It is a little humiliating, in all honesty. <i>"Aspiring"</i> indicates falling short of reaching dream, attracting questions about talent or drive. <i>"Writer"</i> is often perceived as dreamy, silly, unattainable, impractical. In constantly striving to prove yourself, trying to convince others that you do have talent and you will succeed, it is easy to get mired in the rejection, disappointment and silence. The question is: how can we overcome the low points to achieve the high ones?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have figured out a system of my own. Of course, it may not work for you, but I'd like to think that it is a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. I call it <i>planting seeds</i>. Put simply, it consists of maintaining a continuous cycle of sowing future opportunities for myself - the idea being that I will always be spurred by the unremitting hope that my next opportunity could be just around the corner.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The seeds can take any form, big or small. Pitching to magazines. A request for an interview. An email to a writer I admire. A new blog post. A comment on someone else's blog. An offer to do a guest post. Reaching out to a fellow aspiring writer. A synopsis to an agent. A tweet. Buying a book on the Book Depository. An article to an editor. The list goes on.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of course, the nature of the game is that not all of these ventures will be fruitful. In fact, most of them won't amount to anything. Some may offer hope, only to be dashed. Some may involve a long, drawn out, excruciating wait, only to fade into nothing. Some may be met with resounding silence. But that's okay. Because every so often, there will be a flower waiting for me. One which instills my confidence and validates my dream, gently setting me back onto my writing path. Like the time one of my favorite writers endorsed my blog. Or when a prominent book agent encouraged me to send her my manuscript. Or when a beauty writer I admire invited me to do a guest post on one of my favourite sites. Or when some of my most beloved writers agreed to be interviewed for this blog. Or all of the amazing messages of support I receive from my friends and the people who read my writing. All of these things are incredibly uplifting, and often surface at the most opportune times. Which helps to give me the strength to go on, and not give up.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'd be dishonest if I didn't divulge the disappointments I have faced. The numerous articles I have submitted to my favorite magazine to no reply. Or a magazine editor telling me that she would love me to write for her but never responding to my follow-up phone calls or emails (carefully spaced to minimise annoyance, of course). Or when a piece I had spent weeks writing went completely unnoticed on my blog. Or the multitude of correspondence which has been ignored, sometimes by my idols. These hiccups may seem small and petty but, as much as it pains me to admit, they are met with a jolt of devastation. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We would all like to think that we are special - that one day, somebody will recognise our unique talent and give us our big break. But sometimes it's not luck or birthright that builds our success. It's perseverance. Practice. The art of failing - falling flat on our faces and dusting ourselves off, getting right back up and running straight toward the brick wall again. Because, one day, it may magically transform into an open door. (You know, like Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, in conclusion: plant seeds. No matter how few of them blossom, keep going. Persevere. As long as we do, we can nurture the hope of achieving our goals. The second we lapse, we expose our hearts to self-doubt and fear, hindering ourselves. The truth is, all the strength and endurance we need can be sourced from the dream itself, as long as we are clear enough about it. Published articles, a newspaper cadetship, an internship at a magazine, novels... whatever our aspiration, it can only be ours if we don't give up. And so it is the promise of the next flower, just within our grasp, that keeps us moving and climbing to reach the top of the mountain. Until we reach the beautiful garden of our dreams. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Picture via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pearled/4983280506/in/set-72157615021257252/">Pearled</a>)</span></div>Laura Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631340335024407931noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-17900839139629980452010-10-28T21:08:00.000-07:002010-10-28T21:12:55.574-07:00October 29: Weekly Wrap-Up<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3g2GFCa0wkRQ2ODCrV2LRq-10fjftKb4NlMUgjQWYY3mhr80opevGvzhKt0JD4o3iQd56y_Lmb8a9are_YxioT8HXV3eAP_-r_Xhv7a45PI74kFLPwAZqS3yzS9F3mS6-B4MXg9megA/s1600/desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3g2GFCa0wkRQ2ODCrV2LRq-10fjftKb4NlMUgjQWYY3mhr80opevGvzhKt0JD4o3iQd56y_Lmb8a9are_YxioT8HXV3eAP_-r_Xhv7a45PI74kFLPwAZqS3yzS9F3mS6-B4MXg9megA/s1600/desk.jpg" /></span></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ira Glass on Storytelling | YouTube</span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ira Glass talks about the building blocks of a great story, how to find a story, good taste and common pitfalls: </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7KQ4vkiNUk"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Part 1</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qmtwa1yZRM&feature=related"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Part 2</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9blgOboiGMQ&feature=related"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Part 3</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9blgOboiGMQ&feature=related"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Part 4</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Thank you to Benjamin Law (</span><a href="http://twitter.com/mrbenjaminlaw"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">@mrbenjaminlaw</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">) for the link.</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/25/business/media/25carr.html?_r=4&ref=business"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Against Odds, Web Site Finds Niche | New York Times | David Carr</span></a></b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A great New York Times article about quirky niche web site </span><a href="http://theawl.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Awl</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. (An awl is a pointy tool used to make marks on wood, in case you were interested.) As Carr notes: </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"If you were going to assemble a business plan for a Web site, you would look closely at everything The Awl (theawl.com) did and then head in precisely the opposite direction".</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Nevertheless, against all odds, the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"little digital boutique"</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> has found an audience of half a million, purely by embracing idiosyncrasy and creating </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"the kind of site that people we know would like to read"</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Coincidentally, one of my favourite article on writing, </span><i><a href="http://www.theawl.com/2010/08/seven-years-as-a-freelance-writer-or-how-to-make-vitamin-soup"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seven Years as a Freelance Writer, or How to Make Vitamin Soup</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> originated on The Awl.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/27/3050027.htm?site=thedrum"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The End of Journalism As We Know It | ABC The Drum | Annabel Crabb</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A brilliant piece by one of my favourite Australian journalists, Annabel Crabb, who made this speech at Melbourne University on Wednesday. She talks about the difficulties facing journalists today (namely, that people no longer want to pay for quality content), the importance of human contact and the unique opportunity for young writers to be rewarded for their talent, imagination and intrepidity within the new media paradigm. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="http://focusmanifesto.s3.amazonaws.com/FocusFree.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Focus | Zen Habits | Leo Babauta</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In light of </span><a href="http://doorways-for-writers.blogspot.com/2010/10/daily-rituals.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">my daily rituals post</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, this free eBook by Zen Habits writer/blogger Leo Babauta may be useful. It is about "</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">finding simplicity in the Age of Distraction; finding the focus you need to create, to work on what’s important, to reflect, to find peace".</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Thank you to Rachel Hills (</span><a href="http://rachelhills.tumblr.com/post/1372750555/best-of-the-rest-of-the-internet#disqus_thread"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Musings of an Inappropriate Woman</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">) for the link.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="http://www.haaretz.com/culture/arts-leisure/always-on-the-side-of-the-egg-1.270371"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Always on the Side of the Egg | Hareetz | Haruki Murakami</span></a></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last year, Haruki Murakami was awarded the Jerusalem literary prize for the Freedom of the Individual in Society. Pro-Palestinian groups attempted to dissuade him from attending the ceremony, claiming that doing so would demonstrate his support for Israel's role in the Gaza conflict. Murakami considered their argument, but ultimately decided to accept his prize in person. His beautifully moving speech explains why he made that decision and the underlying message he wishes to convey through his novels. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Picture via </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/memitherainbow"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Memi the Rainbow</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">)</span></span></b></div>Laura Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631340335024407931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-66658154865504352042010-10-28T04:01:00.000-07:002010-10-28T04:11:15.275-07:00Event Review: mUmBRELLA Question Time, Melbourne<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This morning, I spent the best $80 I have in a long time. My motivation for media was re-instilled - I was filled with excitement and ideas by the time I walked out. The event was the </span><a href="http://mumbrella.com.au/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">mUmBRELLA</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Question Time breakfast that featured these key four speakers, moderated by the site's publisher <a href="http://mumbrella.com.au/">Tim Burrowes </a>-</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ami.org.au/2009annual/speakers/thompson_john.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ami.org.au/2009annual/speakers/thompson_john.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">John Thompson</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Peter Biggs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">John Thompson </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Senior manager for road safety and marketing at the Transport Accident Commission (TAC)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Peter Biggs </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Clemenger BBDO Melbourne’s Managing Director (Advertising agency)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Eric Beecher</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Eric Beecher</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> -Crikey co-owner (He has also worked as a reporter on The Age, The Sunday Times, The Observer and The Washington Post. He has been editor of the Sydney Morning Herald and editor in chief of the Melbourne Herald and Weekly Times newspaper group.)</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAkGBhIQERIUExQVFBUVFxgXFxQXFB8XFhUaFxYWHBgUGBoeHCceGRonHR4XIC8gIycpMC0yGh8xNTAqNSYrLCkBCQoKDgwOGg8PGTUkHR8vLDUqLCkpLCwsLiksLCksKS0sNSkpKSksKSwuKSkpKSwpKSkpLCwpLCwsLCwsKSwpLP/AABEIAFIAUgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAcAAACAwEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAFBgAEBwMBAgj/xAA6EAACAAMFBQUGBQMFAAAAAAABAgADEQQFEiExBkFRYXETIpGxwQcyUoHR8CNCcoKhFBXSFjM0krL/xAAZAQADAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMBBAX/xAAgEQACAgEEAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIRIQMSMUETMlFh/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwBSvC7UnrheuRqCDmDA3+xTpf8AtzA4H5Zg9Yu3dfKTTgIMt/gbKvTjBRVhqTNFO9LWwTBMlMjFlNa1Q04GG+UuQ6DygZfV8JZ1GIY2bRPU10EKVrn2q0d4hyh0ABCDkN0YkohVmh4I+hLjOLF20s1V2To3pvhkuPa0lhLn0zNFmAUH7h6w1itDL2UWrNZQScgSAaZRAkXbAne++EZQUVZ0mmXCBLSKFuphltEnOBc2RRnHMeQiTWRkwX2cSLvYxIKNAG1LSsKmoxg92Z+ao3Div3lF+6bV2spWOujfqXX6wpduXarrUnl/A4Qw7MivbqPiUj9yCNg8jtYDewGycu8bRNtE8YpSthVT+amleQ9Y2AXPJSWEWWmEDJcIpCd7Np8qRd8pnOGtS1BXPEeEOEm+pcwFkNQBn9YnutuzsjGkqEjavZmzYGAkoK1NQtKV1jEL+uo2aZh/KdI3S/dqEmllRcVMi2IKB4xm22UkTQ1AMhUUNdOYgi2mGrBSX6FNkLxNosylveQ4G+VKHwpDNd8vviEz2ZIf6ead3aCnyUV9IebEveHUR0HnPg6WiVnAu1S++f0j1g9aFzHSBluld8c18jCPkFwDcESLXZRIAFRrCOEebLrUzn3NMoOigCKt53+J34Vmq7NkXpRVHKsGbusokS1QHJRmeJ3mEguyo53Fs1Mn2OUEnOifi1VThqTMbCx404Qestyf0dmmoGZ2KNUk1On2YB+zvaFZktlAYKjnCx0YNmSvKtYZb7mzgjGWEaqkFTWuZAFIRvo74q6YoXFs9ItUiYjKCWAB+Rr8s9eMBL62ZkWRJmHOtcqUA6DdBXZq0zrOZnaUUknLpC5tRbmnvgB944fHKC7QzilbKns4s+GXNINVLacwTn4Uh4sq94dYF3NdK2WUJamtMy3EmCkg5iOhLB5k2m8F+1rUjTfAy2JmlK6N6QVtWvGB9u1XqfKCSySi8FPDEjpSJCjWKVks6SxRFVRyFPGON7zaqqVp2jKpPAE5xBO4Znhx6R9Trtd5QedJwrUd1nqc9CQNOlY2uhk3z8Gq6bdKkOoBXDQIADllpB+2CYQCrzWG5RN7MV6gZwobF3PKLYiqzCuSSBvPxNwUc41S7bVhZhNKJ3QFUEALlnmcq/SElp06OrR1pRhuoy1rmmiYWftStfc7Rn8YU9qrwcu+BWUqSRQEYaadI221W8zrVgShQL3ipIbEfiplkKU45x5PsAJ08Sc4RxplXq71b7MHuLbm0y6iYe2G7Ge8P3anoYOyvaG2X4C/9z9I1L/TMg6yZdTr3B50gNe2wllVCwkAa5rlTnF46irKOCWm+mUbBtQlpGLA6AZGuYrlvGcWbXNBCkaYhnxyMVNmrBLVHlg95WLGu8HQjyirfKvJIKUoSKhtAePKM33KujPHUb7CNY8gN/eGG5PFv8YkV2MjuOOw12dtjnsKgkpL5BcmYcya+AhkvS7EZGlu2FGFGalcI4jnHmxVmEuxyABT8NT4ip/kxx2ltVFKfH3QSaBTrU/IGIJW7Ou9q2kue9MLLZruljCVJe0PwBILNxJO6Llq2YqS9pnzGTMvRqY+Q4CO90XPNFkE6UkozJkvHMdjgC5EqMIGYpQLyIMZltJtFaTNQTXLCvu6JrTp4w0o5yMtRVjBpFm2ukpMSz2RMq0PqSTmTDQbcle9keFaxlljvxJCM5ZcdKVqKIOZ3k8BCHee1U+ZNdpc2Yq7u8QTzP0jEsizkfoO23uoXJgKc49u69VnSiVoVNQD8QBIJ6R+frm24nSGrMRLQOE2pp0ofSNT2H2sFtU9jZlkhGUPR+6N/dWmdc4ZiKvpRns1ltGLcHIP6W+6/KLN8sJiH7+cEtqbBUYqawsybSTLodVqp+Wn8U8ImOsmfz77tqMyia9FJGg3GnCJDBOsqlmNNSfOJG+SX0zxR+Gk7N/8aV+hP/Igfe8lXYBgGBJqCKg67jEiQP1B8hazTCt3TACQKnIGgyRaeEY9tYe5JG7App+05xIkdC9TmFibMNAKmnCuXhH2ND0HlEiQi5BnIaRqPsWOVr6y/J48iRgyNEvsfhDpGev78zoPMxIkSkXgD31MeRIkKVP/2Q==" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="data:image/jpg;base64,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" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Frankie Ralston Good</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Frankie Ralston Good </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Naked Communications’ Melbourne Managing Director</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/hs227.ash2/49226_752866067_7695_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="Tim Burrowes" border="0" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/hs227.ash2/49226_752866067_7695_n.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tim Burrowes, mUmBRELLA Publisher</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There were many pre-organised questions read out by audience members and, finally, it came to my question. Earlier in the week, I had made contact with the lovely and clever </span><a href="http://mumbrella.com.au/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tim Burrowes </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">who, after a conversation about my current career position in life, he kindly suggested he would help me reword my question to this one -</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"I've worked as a journalist, and in media sales. I'm about to get back into the job market. Which side of the fence does the panel recommend will lead to the most satifying career?"</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are the short versions of the panel's answers, which I believe could apply to anyone who is trying to decide on a career, even if it is not in the media:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Frankie's advice </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- How do you define job satisfaction? Find out what satisfies you and run with that.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Eric's advice</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> - Journalism schools are full. You have got to love it and get the job satisfaction out of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Peter's advice</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> - Follow your bliss. (Funnily enough, it was randomly pointed out that he started out studying to be a Catholic Priest.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">John's advice</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> - Follow what you love, don't take the easy path.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was an absolute thrill to hear their answers and I was quietly stoked to be amongst such important and influential media people. For someone who is passionate about anything to do with newspapers, online news and media industry news - it was quite exciting.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Interestingly, for young people (and aspiring writing and journalists that this blog is aimed at), Beecher talked about the online publishing content industry growing enormously - however, their challenge is finding bright, young graduates who can be moulded into online journalists. (note to readers, this is something to think about!)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The panelists also talked about the innovation being stirred in the world of online media. Eric Beecher pointed out that, broadly, print media needs reinventing but, if they can get an app for a tablet or mobile device right, they are onto a winner.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To be completely honest, I felt a quite out of my depth at the event, as their were many high fliers from the media and marketing industry there; yet I was also grateful that I went along, as it is not often that the opportunity arises to hear from such brilliant media minds in person. For me, my buying a ticket was the equivalent of someone else my age treating themselves to a ticket to a music festival. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was a highly interesting experience that has left me with lots to think about in terms of online media. I would recommend the <a href="http://mumbrella.com.au/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">mUmBRELLA</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> </span>Question Time event to anyone along with having a look at the media and marketing orientated, <a href="http://mumbrella.com.au/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">fabulous website</span></a> - I find there is always something interesting and fun to look at on there even if you are not extremely interested in the media industry. </span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Their next event is in Sydney on Wednesday, November 10th - you can find further details <a href="http://mumbrella.com.au/events?event_id=579"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">. </span></span></i></div></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-89528783191838692452010-10-27T20:38:00.000-07:002010-10-27T22:31:58.403-07:00Interview: Susan Maushart, Writer<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtlUHdBmMcpZ7TCORgNS-egLetwG87BpooH-iaHMULibfrtR3ktI8pvtiJt2Jscnqd1uK6dOZncNhUcaN4o_p4Fjsfjy8LGZkMCYadiTo_jRk2mrXJrSbPsg_d77hPBPvARy5clGHyc4/s1600/Maushart,+Susan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtlUHdBmMcpZ7TCORgNS-egLetwG87BpooH-iaHMULibfrtR3ktI8pvtiJt2Jscnqd1uK6dOZncNhUcaN4o_p4Fjsfjy8LGZkMCYadiTo_jRk2mrXJrSbPsg_d77hPBPvARy5clGHyc4/s400/Maushart,+Susan.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have a Saturday morning ritual. I wake up, make myself a cup of tea (T2's French Earl Grey is a current favourite) and ravenously devour </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Weekend Australian Magazine</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, front-to-back, back-to-front and side-to-side. Without a doubt, it is one of my most beloved Australian publications, along with </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">frankie</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Monthly,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> never failing to satisfy with its cutting-edge, high calibre feature articles by such journalistic greats as Caroline Overington and Richard Guilliatt (speaking of whom, Guilliatt's latest, </span><a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/justice-in-black-and-white/story-e6frg8h6-1225942356421"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Justice in Black and White</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, is a brilliant read) and ever-thoughtful, ever-pertinent opinion columns by Philip Adams, Ruth Ostrow and, my favourite, Dr Susan Maushart. So you can imagine how pleased I was when Susan so generously granted me a lovely interview, especially for this blog.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Susan has been a columnist at </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Weekend Australian Magazine</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> for over a decade. She also holds a PhD in Media Ecology from New York University, has written five award-winning, best-selling books (the latest, </span><a href="http://www.randomhouse.com.au/Books/Default.aspx?Page=Book&ID=9781741669640"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Winter of Our Discontent</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, will undoubtedly speak volumes for young social media addicts like me), hosts </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Multiple Choice</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> on ABC radio and is a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Studies at UWA. Susan writes about feminism, technology, Australian culture, motherhood and marriage, among countless other topics pertaining to the tricky navigation the modern world, from a fresh, female perspective. For those of you unfamiliar with Susan's work, some of my favourite of her recent columns include </span><a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/its-a-visionary-thing/story-e6frg8h6-1225932915159"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's a Visionary Thing</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/green-haze/story-e6frg8h6-1225929040001"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Green Haze</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/rose-tinted-bifocals/story-e6frg8h6-1225883640717"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rose-Tinted Bifocals</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/boys-will-be-girls/story-e6frg8h6-1225891613307"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Boys Will Be Girls</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (the latter even features my "genial" former high school principal). As you will be able to tell from reading her interview, Susan has a warm, engaging writing style that is easily identifiable and always entertaining. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4A89vrcwkppo-CTpDcSUhqvDxJtGH829iNiB7qYruJo75Ti9wxedhvm16-xv-X4ggT9K7YuVUD7Dhk0bMawvOg8quAe9ebzOZpPyuUOavcgjNfDVTGCphJI6xzTQJT_DAbUMtb6y3GM8/s1600/winterr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4A89vrcwkppo-CTpDcSUhqvDxJtGH829iNiB7qYruJo75Ti9wxedhvm16-xv-X4ggT9K7YuVUD7Dhk0bMawvOg8quAe9ebzOZpPyuUOavcgjNfDVTGCphJI6xzTQJT_DAbUMtb6y3GM8/s400/winterr.jpg" width="261" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How did you know you wanted to be a writer?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I remember writing a passionate declaration of my intention when I was 12. How I wish I could see that now. But I didn’t really do much about it til I found myself a single mother with three kids under five. I made a leap of faith out of academia, and the safety of imminent tenure, to try my luck as a freelance writer. And it turned out I was lucky.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is your writing routine?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I am writing a book, it’s every day from 8 am til I reach 1000-3000 acceptable words. (It’s a sliding scale based on how close to deadline I am!)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What do you read?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lots of stuff online; The New Yorker, religiously; I love science writing – currently reading a book about parasites by evolutionary biologist Marlene Zuk - and read across a wide range of journals; impatiently awaiting my copy of Franzen’s Freedom at the moment … like to revisit classics and keep up with literary fiction.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Which writer do you most admire and why?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I always say (because it’s true) that Walden is my favourite book, because it is like a well that, no matter how buckets you draw from it, never runs dry. The contemporary author whose books I get most excited about is probably Anne Tyler, for her humour, humanity and utter lack of hubris.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What inspires you?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lots of stuff. My kids. My reading. Animals. Photos. Eavesdropping. WNYC. Hunger …</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What do you love about being a writer?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Freedom. I have enormous freedom - intellectually, creatively, organizationally, even geographically - as a writer. I treasure that.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do you have an over-arching message that you would like to communicate through your writing?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I see myself as a critic. I am always working to get underneath. And if I believe passionately in anything – and these days being passionate is de rigeur … - it is in fallibility: my own included.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What are you working on at the moment?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have three book ideas jostling for attention right now – one about home, one about hair, and one about reading.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What are your writing goals for the future?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To keep making a living at doing work that engages me and speaks to others.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What advice do you have for aspiring writers?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Read like nobody’s watching (‘cause they’re not). Write as if it were a job, not a hobby (or it always will be).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Pictures courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.randomhouse.com.au/Author/Maushart,%20Susan"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Random House</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">)</span></div>Laura Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631340335024407931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-67148937220909715042010-10-26T06:50:00.001-07:002010-10-26T08:34:21.371-07:00Interview: Kiel Egging, Journalist and Entertainment Reporter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LbYbFDYQhw1dlx3DfPURRKL5QlGjJ80Gn25AatGj9088m1eobkOwba41u3GdjH9uQJzdFHHc82sSEYyrrqw2bsg40Zv4lTSe6Of6QEgMX6E3osEqyeQZjKz7WVaGbP7K4oBbJ2tTL5sy/s1600/kiel+egging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LbYbFDYQhw1dlx3DfPURRKL5QlGjJ80Gn25AatGj9088m1eobkOwba41u3GdjH9uQJzdFHHc82sSEYyrrqw2bsg40Zv4lTSe6Of6QEgMX6E3osEqyeQZjKz7WVaGbP7K4oBbJ2tTL5sy/s400/kiel+egging.jpg" width="400" /></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></span></span></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"></span></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At 23, Kiel Egging considers himself a very lucky guy.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He has rubbed shoulders with many of the celebrities he has looked up to, including Jennifer Hawkins, Kasey Chambers, Paolo Nutini and even Powderfinger. He works for the <a href="http://www.sheppnews.com.au/">Shepparton News</a> - a daily newspaper - as a journalist and entertainment reporter. Shepparton is located in the North East of Victoria with a population close to 50 000. One thing that stands out is Kiel's passionate dedication to journalism and music - as you will read, Kiel put in a lot of energy into doing plenty of volunteer work and networking extremely well while at university (although he also admits to getting very little sleep!) In the end, all his dedication paid off and it has seen him secure a job that he loves. Kiel has also made the top five for the Optus Sound Scribe competition - you can read his posts<a href="http://www.optussoundscribe.com/35/ke"> here.</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Why did you want to become a journalist?</span></b></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://www.sheppnews.com.au/pdf/front_page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img alt="shepparton news front page image" border="0" src="http://www.sheppnews.com.au/pdf/front_page.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I just had some sort of natural knack for it and finding out what's going on in people's lives. I was pretending to commentate sports matches when I was younger and was always into writing. Later down the line I thought how awesome it would be to find out people's stories, meet all my favourite bands and review their music etc. - which is exactly what I'm now doing! Plus it wasn't going to ever be a boring mundane job either.</div></span></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Where did you study? Do you think much of what you learnt at university was useful in </span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">relation to your job today?</span></b></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I did a Bachelor of Media Studies (Journalism) at La Trobe Uni in Bundoora. Uni was good to get my qualifications and learn a few writing skills, but a lot of it was a bit useless - especially the media theory subjects. The practical experience and hands-on volunteer work got me to where I am today - but don't get me wrong - uni also helped.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What other industry experiences did you have while at university?</span></b></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While I was at uni I tried to do heaps of volunteer stuff on the side to compliment my degree - partially because I wanted to get a job and wanted experience, but partially because I genuinely enjoyed doing it too. I started off at SUB FM - the uni radio station - in 1st year. Then I started doing stuff for the uni newspaper - just writing heaps of music stuff because it's what I enjoyed! I then got offered to be the entertainment editor and got to go to the 2008 Logies through the uni mag which was pretty amazing.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Along with the practical stuff - I also did work experience placements in the holidays with WIN TV in Gippsland, Sport 927 AM, Inpress and Network Ten. After my week with Inpress, they asked me to be a contributor for them - so I started doing CD reviews, gig and festival reviews and the occassional feature whilst juggling my 3rd year studies. I still do gig reviews with them today every now and then - mainly so i can get in for free ;)</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And finally there were my internships - I spent two weeks at The Herald and Weekly Times, and two weeks at the Bayswater office of Fairfax Community Newspapers.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the 12 months between graduating and getting the gig at the Shepp News, I did a placement with the online team at the Australian Open tennis, and did more stuff with community radio.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When and how did you start at the The Shepparton News? </span></b></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I saw an ad on Seek in July last year, saying they were after a new journo with a bit of experience. One of my family friends was working in Shepp at the time, so I thought I'd apply. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I initially didn't hear anything from them, but in September they called up Nui Te Koha (Herald Sun journo, one of my references) and then they called me. Basically they had someone a bit more experienced for the position, from NZ, but she bailed at the 11th hour. So they started looking for a cadet instead, and came back to my application. They invited me up for lunch and an interview, and three days later, they called me to offer me the position!</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In a world where most journo jobs are based on people you know and are rarely publicly advertised, I count myself pretty lucky.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What was it like moving to Shepparton? </span></b></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was kinda daunting at first, because I was leaving behind my mates, family etc. But at the same time, I was ready for a change, and I wasn't going to turn down the opportunity. Plus, my family friend was up here working for Campbell's Soups and invited me to move into his unit, so that made things a lot easier. And Shepp isn't a small country town with nothing going on in it either - there's close to 50 000 people living here and we've got all the main major outlets and stuff that are back in Melbourne.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What has been the most exciting story you have covered?</span></b></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In terms of General News - I would say the closure of Kirwans Bridge earlier this year - it's a 120 year old bridge across the Goulburn River just outside Nagambie. The Strathbogie Shire could no longer afford to pay for the maintenance of the bridge, so it's now closed. I also had to go out to a three-car accident on a major road - six people were injured and a four year old boy eventually died in hospital. I started that day at 9am and didn't finish till our deadline at 11pm, but it was all over the front page.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v234/152/125/615544427/n615544427_787718_8533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v234/152/125/615544427/n615544427_787718_8533.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Kiel with Jennifer Hawkins, Logies 2008</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You're the entertainment reporter - who are some of celebrities you have interviewed?</span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Since I took over the entertainment mag in July, I've interviewed Kasey Chambers, Lee Kernhagan, Ella Hooper, DJ Andy Van, John Williamson, Beccy Cole, Phil Small from Cold Chisel, rappers Illy and Briggs, Muscles, former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick, Daryl Braithwaite, the Scared Weird Little Guys, Ryan Meeking, music promoter Michael Gudinski, and a stack of local bands and young performers. I've also talked to ex-star footy players including Matthew Lloyd, Shane Crawford, Ron Barassi and Kevin Sheedy - which has been great since I'm an Essendon AFL football team fan.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But prior to the gig in Shepp, I interviewed bands such as The Living End, Powderfinger, Grinspoon, Something With Numbers, Children Collide, John Butler, Airbourne, Paolo Nutini and Chris Shifflett from the Foo Fighters.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And at the 2008 Logies, I chatted to stars including Jennifer Hawkins, Andrew Denton, Molly Meldrum, Adam Hills, Nat Bassingthwaite, Eddie McGuire, Andrew G, a couple of the Chaser Boys, Rove, Shannon Noll, Damien Leith, Hamish and Andy etc.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I consider myself a very lucky dude.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What do you think makes a good community journalist?</span></b></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Someone who has a good relationship with the mayor and councillors, has some solid contacts, is aware of the local issues going on around them, and can generate a couple of their own story ideas as well. Most importantly though, you've got to be hard-working, have a friendly personality, be willing to chase things up and meet deadlines.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 1em; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-ash1/v234/152/125/615544427/n615544427_787720_9150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-ash1/v234/152/125/615544427/n615544427_787720_9150.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Kiel with his idol, Molly Meldrum, Logies 2008</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What advice would you give to others wanting to work as a journalist? And whats the best advice you were given along the way?</span></b></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'd say do as much volunteer work and get as much experience as you can. Sure it might not be paid, but it looks good on the resume, and if you love journalism enough, you won't be doing it for the money anyway. Also, if you think you can just walk into a metro media job with just a degree and no practical experience, you're dreaming. The only people who do that have some seriously good contacts or are related to a news director at some major outlet.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've been given a stack of advice along the way - but Mal Walden's advice sticks out to me - he simply said "Network, and use all your contacts." And it's pretty damn true. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Countless people including Billy Brownless have also said to me - "never give up and keep on doing all your volunteer stuff, because you'll get there eventually." I used to doubt that considering I was doing so much stuff and not getting anywhere, but hey, I did get a job in the end (on one of only four daily papers in regional Victoria) and things are really starting to look up for me now.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So I'd also encourage people to not give up if being a journalist is really what you want to do - because it </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;">will pay off eventually, whenever that may be. Just hang in there. </span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 0.45cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What are your long term goals? Where do you hope your career to go? </span></b></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The grand plan is to take over my mate Nui Te Koha's position as chief music reporter at the Herald Sun in five years time. If can do that it will be misson accomplished. But if not, I might look at moving into radio or possibly do what most journos after more money end up doing, and going into Public Relations - it would be sweet to work for a music label or a sporting team/organisation.</span></span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div></div></div>Sarah Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224819524105113389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-39971341821885853082010-10-25T02:36:00.000-07:002010-10-25T02:44:48.097-07:00Daily Rituals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81e_eNtwrW3RaWmkFpsUt6AAi8WQ9gG4wG0MF5atwqWT2JJRwAQGo9GG93eeYWRq5LkaedXNcCkh37iQGuQg-najor_UrzkIXqM5NijFTDE-GF70sbUJcQ7NFwRM_51FRJXkGlCoyOUo/s1600/routine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81e_eNtwrW3RaWmkFpsUt6AAi8WQ9gG4wG0MF5atwqWT2JJRwAQGo9GG93eeYWRq5LkaedXNcCkh37iQGuQg-najor_UrzkIXqM5NijFTDE-GF70sbUJcQ7NFwRM_51FRJXkGlCoyOUo/s1600/routine.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you have ever read my personal blog, <a href="http://lifebeautylaughter.blogspot.com/">Life.Beauty.Laughter.</a>, you will know that I have a little writing crush on <a href="http://sarahwilson.com.au/">Sarah Wilson</a>. I just think she is wonderful. So it should not come as a surprise that this post is inspired by one that Sarah wrote a while ago, about <a href="http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2010/03/famous-peoples-daily-rituals-a-perve/">perving on other people’s daily rituals</a>. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sarah is big on routines, <a href="http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2010/09/the-elegance-of-a-morning-routine/">especially in the mornings</a>. I would love to have one of my own, but I have lapsed so many times. I think it is a combination of being whimsy, flighty and lazy. My daily activities fluctuate according to my moods, sleep patterns and ensuing deadlines. Still, I am enamoured with the idea of a routine, one which will instil my life with some much-needed balance, focus and peace of mind. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Daily rituals seem to be common amongst writers and deep thinkers, both of which I hope to be one day. Some of my favourites include:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffbbe8;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Toni Morrison.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffbbe8;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Writer Toni Morrison describes not only her daily routine, but the importance of rituals to writers. Morrison describes her own ritual involving making a cup of coffee and watching the light come into the day. Her habit of rising early was first formed as the mother to three children, but after her children left home, she discovered a routine of her own–that still includes early mornings. Morrison urges all writers to look at what time of day they are most productive and what type of surrounding is most conducive to their work to help form rituals that will promote crea</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>tivity.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffbbe8;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Simone de Beauvoir.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffbbe8;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">French writer and lifelong companion to Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir reported that she got bored if she didn’t work and tried to work every day except the few months she would take off to travel. While writing, she woke with tea, then began her work around 10:00. She would work until 1:00, then have lunch and socialize with friends. At 5:00, she would resume working, usually at Sartre’s apartment, until she would stop for the day at 9:00.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffbbe8;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Haruki Murakami.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffbbe8;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This popular Japanese novelist sticks to a specific daily schedule that begins at 4:00 when he awakes. He writes for five or six hours, then either runs 10k or swims 1500 meters (or sometimes, both). After his workout, he reads and listens to music until he goes to bed at 9:00. Murakami claims that writing a novel requires both the physical and mental strength that his routine provides.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Those of you who read my blog will also know that I adore Haruki Murakami. I am currently reading his memoir, <i>What I Talk About When I Talk About Running</i>, an exploration of the way his vigorous exercise regime has sharpened his writing talent by providing him with focus and endurance, both of which Haruki identifies as essential characteristics of a novelist (along with, of course, talent). The process of writing a novel, Haruki explains, is like digging a deep hole. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffbbe8;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have to pound the rock with a chisel and dig a deep hole before I can locate the source of creativity... The whole process – sitting at your desk, focusing your mind like a laser beam, imagining something out of a blank horizon, creating a story, selecting the right words, one by one, keeping the whole flow of the story on track – requires far more energy, over a long period, than most people ever imagine.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Reading his memoir, I can see that it is Haruki’s strength, maturity and grounded sense of self that makes his writing so deep and magical; he is, undoubtedly, one of my writing idols, and I would be beyond thrilled if, one day, I could write with a single ounce of his elegance and profundity. At 21-years-old, I don’t feel as though I will be able to emulate Haruki’s wisdom anytime soon. I do think, however, that a lovely daily routine, one like those espoused by Sarah, will help me to cultivate my writing skills. A routine which suits me to the core, fills my heart and brings me joy. One that instils a sense of calm and provides me with the strength to dig the deep hole Haruki speaks of. For, when we waste time and energy worrying about pointless things like what to have for breakfast and where we left our car-keys, it is difficult to find the focus and endurance needed to ponder the mystery of life; and even more impossible to solve it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Picture via </span><a href="http://www.mdashing.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">M Dash</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">)</span></div>Laura Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631340335024407931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038228172603932809.post-57271150845962902632010-10-24T23:16:00.001-07:002010-10-24T23:16:27.335-07:00October 25: Events and Opportunities<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is our second week of Events and Opportunities.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This post is a weekly series that shares various events and opportunities available in the writing and journalism industry. Events includes anything from seminars, talks and festivals to book launches; while opportunities encompass trainee or graduate jobs, courses, internships and work experience. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you have an event or opportunity that you believe will be beneficial to young people who love to journalism and writing, please don't hesitate to contact us.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Please rest assured that there is no conflict of interest; all of these suggestions are made independently.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.jschool.com.au/topschools.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Top Journalism Schools </b></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Australia Wide</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As it is getting towards the end of the year, many young people are deciding what course they might like to do while others could be contemplating a change in course to journalism.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This link <a href="http://www.jschool.com.au/topschools.php">here</a> is from the Jschool website that ranks the top 24 places to study journalism from 2008. Hopefully it may gives those stuck for ideas on where to study journalism a better picture of what is out there. </span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><a href="http://www.cosmopolitan.com.au/contact_us.htm">Work Experience at Cosmopolitan Magazine</a></b></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sydney</span></i></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs748.snc4/64818_478849070916_42494195916_6796518_1403662_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs748.snc4/64818_478849070916_42494195916_6796518_1403662_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="152" /></a><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs262.ash1/18947_263506620916_42494195916_4399744_164790_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs262.ash1/18947_263506620916_42494195916_4399744_164790_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="152" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Many people often wonder how they can get work experience at magazine. If you are interested in getting in contact with the people at Cosmopolitan magazine to find out details about the work experience, all the information is <a href="http://www.cosmopolitan.com.au/contact_us.htm">here</a>. They are booked our months in ahead but good for those who can wait months in advance. You could also ask if they have had any cancellations of work experience people at closer dates.</div></div></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.nswwriterscentre.org.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?keyword=Emerging-Writers-Festival-Roadshow" style="font-weight: bold;">Emerging Writers Festival Roadshow</a></div></div></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sydney</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sunday 7 November 2010, 10am - 6pm</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A fantastic opportunity to network with fellow writers is the Emerging Writers Festival Roadshow. The festival will present a series of panels and discussions about writing, writers and the literary life. There are practical sessions such as The Pitch - offering no-holds-barred advice about the art of pitching your work to editors, publishers and agents. There will also be a Creative Writing Bootcamp, where you can put pen to paper in one frantic hour of writing. You can find out about the roadshow <a href="http://www.nswwriterscentre.org.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?keyword=Emerging-Writers-Festival-Roadshow">here</a>.</span></div></div></div>Laura Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17631340335024407931noreply@blogger.com0