This morning, when I opened my inbox, I had an e-mail from a Pulitzer prize winner. This is what it said:
“What a lovely piece! Thanks ever so much. You handled all the issues, and handled them with grace and sensitivity. I am very grateful. “
With about three, maybe four hours of sleep under my belt after what I can only describe as a nervous breakdown last night, I should have been comatose all morning. But that e-mail made an overcast, gross day a little brighter. The funny thing about it, though, was that it took me reading that e-mail to Liz to realize that, whoa…that’s a pretty big deal.
Liz literally sprung out of her seat and gave me a huge hug.
The e-mail was from Tim Page, an epically talented music critic who wrote for the Washington Post for 12 years. He’ll be visiting campus on Monday and Tuesday. Here’s the thing about Mr. Page…
He has Asperger’s Syndrome, an autism-spectrum disorder that impairs social interactions and entails offbeat and often disruptive fixations on very specific topics. Without supportive friends and family and strong adaptive skills, Asperger’s can be a genuinely debilitating disorder. Page coped…he made the syndrome work for him. One of Page’s fixations was music. He had a knack for writing, too, and as you might guess, things unfolded from there.
It’s pretty freakin’ inspirational stuff. Enough so that, after I interviewed Mr. Page, I couldn’t help but feel uplifted.
Don’t ask me how writing about someone who’s had an insanely rough life made me feel this way, but I realized I’m being entirely too hard on myself. By tomorrow, I’ll have three stories printed in the Missourian this week. One was a Sunday centerpiece. Another was a front-page centerpiece that jumped to Second Front. Who knows what’ll happen with the Page story, but regardless: I need to stop feeling guilty. I don’t have to be Superwoman. I’m already doing a heck of a lot, and maybe it’s time to slow down a little.
This semester’s been rough. The shells project is driving me crazy. I was personally insulted when the Safety shell was collapsed, especially when we were already approaching the execution phases. It’s been really challenging to get back up after being knocked down by that kind of frustration. Thankfully, Paul’s really on the ball with the Growth shell, so for once, I don’t feel like I have to micromanage an entire project. (It doesn’t matter if I have the greatest group of all time; I’m always going to be the one who freaks out about everything.)
Life is literally driving me crazy right now, and I need to stop making it worse by stressing myself out about it. I’m stressing so much, it takes a hyperactive hug from my editor (seriously though, thanks Liz) to realize I’m doing a good job.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Revelations
This week was full of revelations.
First the class met with the editors concerning the shells. I think it was good idea for the reporters to meet and discuss the project and progress we’ve made so far. There was a lot of feed back concerning what the different groups have been working on and what direction they are taking for the future. It definitely helped to discuss our ideas because they sound different being dissected in a room of our peers than they do during a quick group meeting – they can be looked at more objectively.
Personally, the growth group realized that we were taking our topic in too many directions. I think everybody in the group had great suggestions, but accomplishing all of our ideas isn’t realistic. We all learned that we really need to hone in on a focus and make our project more detailed than general.
I like the fact that we are focusing more on the people because I really want this site to be relevant and useful to those who come in. I think focusing on aspects that affect people allows this shell to be a resource for the community more than a class project.
The second realization I had was about the reporting aspect of the class.
I realize I need to pay more attention to my work. I am so used to being able to get something together in a relatively short time, but that strategy hasn’t been so successful lately. Additionally, it is hard to focus because it seems like so many things are demanding my attention right now; but somebody had to do it before me, so I can do it.
I had the opportunity to turn a story this week, but instead I got a lesson on what not to do: I shouldn’t assume the story can be turned quickly, I should get back to accuracy checking stories and I need to spend more time on my writing.
First the class met with the editors concerning the shells. I think it was good idea for the reporters to meet and discuss the project and progress we’ve made so far. There was a lot of feed back concerning what the different groups have been working on and what direction they are taking for the future. It definitely helped to discuss our ideas because they sound different being dissected in a room of our peers than they do during a quick group meeting – they can be looked at more objectively.
Personally, the growth group realized that we were taking our topic in too many directions. I think everybody in the group had great suggestions, but accomplishing all of our ideas isn’t realistic. We all learned that we really need to hone in on a focus and make our project more detailed than general.
I like the fact that we are focusing more on the people because I really want this site to be relevant and useful to those who come in. I think focusing on aspects that affect people allows this shell to be a resource for the community more than a class project.
The second realization I had was about the reporting aspect of the class.
I realize I need to pay more attention to my work. I am so used to being able to get something together in a relatively short time, but that strategy hasn’t been so successful lately. Additionally, it is hard to focus because it seems like so many things are demanding my attention right now; but somebody had to do it before me, so I can do it.
I had the opportunity to turn a story this week, but instead I got a lesson on what not to do: I shouldn’t assume the story can be turned quickly, I should get back to accuracy checking stories and I need to spend more time on my writing.
My thoughts about the shells
This was definitely the craziest week of the semester so far for me, so I may be speaking out of exhaustion, but I do think we should collapse at least one shell. Not because I don't think we could do it, but because I am not sure if three web shells could be sustained in the long run.
My greatest fear for this project was that we put a bunch of work into it, and come May, no one takes up the mantle and it just dies. I think only one or two shells could more easily sustained, and maybe could be someone's regular beat in the future.
I think there are considerations about how much the project takes us off of our regular beat. I'm kind of in a special position because the legislature goes on break after next week, so I was planning on trying to do a lot of my stuff then. But I know it's difficult for those working on a beat that is continuous.
Progress Report-
In my story this week about Missouri's undecided superdelegates, I interviewed a U.S. Congressman from STL (Lacy Clay) who said that Obama would pick up 50 undecided superdelegates at the same time "later this week". It was a statement that, if true, would have been close to national news, and the story on our web site was picked up by a lot of different political web sites on Wednesday night (Politico, Daily Kos, Politics 1). I was even called by a Fox News reporter on Thursday morning to ask if the story was true. I spent most of Thursday chasing that story and found the Obama Campaign and Clay's office to be rather tight-lipped about it, leaving me. It was crazy to chase a story that important though, and I enjoyed it a lot. I also am happy about my other story about a package of crime bills heard by the Senate on Monday. All in all, a good but busy week. for me.
My greatest fear for this project was that we put a bunch of work into it, and come May, no one takes up the mantle and it just dies. I think only one or two shells could more easily sustained, and maybe could be someone's regular beat in the future.
I think there are considerations about how much the project takes us off of our regular beat. I'm kind of in a special position because the legislature goes on break after next week, so I was planning on trying to do a lot of my stuff then. But I know it's difficult for those working on a beat that is continuous.
Progress Report-
In my story this week about Missouri's undecided superdelegates, I interviewed a U.S. Congressman from STL (Lacy Clay) who said that Obama would pick up 50 undecided superdelegates at the same time "later this week". It was a statement that, if true, would have been close to national news, and the story on our web site was picked up by a lot of different political web sites on Wednesday night (Politico, Daily Kos, Politics 1). I was even called by a Fox News reporter on Thursday morning to ask if the story was true. I spent most of Thursday chasing that story and found the Obama Campaign and Clay's office to be rather tight-lipped about it, leaving me. It was crazy to chase a story that important though, and I enjoyed it a lot. I also am happy about my other story about a package of crime bills heard by the Senate on Monday. All in all, a good but busy week. for me.
Risk evaluation. Supply and demand.
I agree that we need to pare down on the web shells. I've really enjoyed the project planning side, but I'm feeling the follow-through crunch. And I'm wondering how it fits into my ultimate goal of the semester: to leave the Missourian with a portfolio that will get me a job. If shells as we see them now work out, it could get me a job. But not necessarily one I want.
Yet, I think trying something new is refreshing, necessary and a way to test my skill set. I think compromise is best. By working as a larger group with each of us taking on a smaller piece of a pie, we lower the risk of not having the portfolio we want when the semester's over. But we also increase the chances of success. In my energy reporting, I've been diving into a stronger understanding of supply and demand and how the biofuel boom is changing the equation. So please, pardon the economic comparison.
We have 15 advanced reporters or so. We have a set supply. The supply could be supplemented by 4450 students who aren't up to speed on the project and are still trying to get used to reporting. It's almost like replacing 24 karat gold with a metal alloy. It can pass some people's muster, but a jeweler or news connoisseur will know the difference. Fixed supply.
Now for demand. Non-journalism classes. Other journalism classes. Copy editing (boo...). Jobs, ones we have to do to attend school in the first place and ones we need after graduation. Extracurricular commitments. Friends, family, significant others. Advanced reporting for a beat. Delegating and working on an in-depth web report we've endearingly called shells and they're no where near a beach. Long reporting projects. There are countless demands for our time and energy.
There's also another demand - the demands of our reader for quality reporting. From what everyone is saying, and what I feel, is that we want this project to be a quality project. We want something we can point to and say "Yessir, we did that. Isn't it thourough? It gives you all the context you need. It's interactive. Newest technology. Fresh format and all, but, damn, isn't that good reporting?" At this point in our journalism careers, we grasp what quality work is and we know what goes into producing it.
Looking at supply, demand, risk, I think it's best that we condense. And get moving.
Progress: I wrote two stories in one day this week. Both were about the same thing: a release from FAPRI projecting an agricultural outlook for the nation given the changing supply and demand balance. The first story was national in scope and was on the internet by noon. By 3:30, I got Missouri Soybean Association and the Missouri Corn Growers to weigh in on the results, and had a Missouri-wide story for the paper and the internet. Then I did a copy editing shift, ugh. The stories more or less set out a roadmap from my energy project and a potential focus.
Yet, I think trying something new is refreshing, necessary and a way to test my skill set. I think compromise is best. By working as a larger group with each of us taking on a smaller piece of a pie, we lower the risk of not having the portfolio we want when the semester's over. But we also increase the chances of success. In my energy reporting, I've been diving into a stronger understanding of supply and demand and how the biofuel boom is changing the equation. So please, pardon the economic comparison.
We have 15 advanced reporters or so. We have a set supply. The supply could be supplemented by 4450 students who aren't up to speed on the project and are still trying to get used to reporting. It's almost like replacing 24 karat gold with a metal alloy. It can pass some people's muster, but a jeweler or news connoisseur will know the difference. Fixed supply.
Now for demand. Non-journalism classes. Other journalism classes. Copy editing (boo...). Jobs, ones we have to do to attend school in the first place and ones we need after graduation. Extracurricular commitments. Friends, family, significant others. Advanced reporting for a beat. Delegating and working on an in-depth web report we've endearingly called shells and they're no where near a beach. Long reporting projects. There are countless demands for our time and energy.
There's also another demand - the demands of our reader for quality reporting. From what everyone is saying, and what I feel, is that we want this project to be a quality project. We want something we can point to and say "Yessir, we did that. Isn't it thourough? It gives you all the context you need. It's interactive. Newest technology. Fresh format and all, but, damn, isn't that good reporting?" At this point in our journalism careers, we grasp what quality work is and we know what goes into producing it.
Looking at supply, demand, risk, I think it's best that we condense. And get moving.
Progress: I wrote two stories in one day this week. Both were about the same thing: a release from FAPRI projecting an agricultural outlook for the nation given the changing supply and demand balance. The first story was national in scope and was on the internet by noon. By 3:30, I got Missouri Soybean Association and the Missouri Corn Growers to weigh in on the results, and had a Missouri-wide story for the paper and the internet. Then I did a copy editing shift, ugh. The stories more or less set out a roadmap from my energy project and a potential focus.
Bathwater or the Baby?
What if... we looked at this project as a way of organizing information?
What if we stayed in each of our groups and spent the remainder of our time taking what the Missourian produces (and has produced) and organizing it in the same way that the best websites on the internet organize information?
The immediate result would be a critical look at where the Missourian is missing the story in the topics of Growth, Green and Public Safety.
I see great potential for shells to exist as webs of information categories, to provide more context than a nutgraph can by connecting the dots of articles, editorials, online resources and statistics so that niche readers can really delve into what interests them.
And then, respond. And we can answer back.
Furthermore, if we begin laying the groundwork for those connections, we are making a resource for future reporters, and creating the space for non-narrative story-telling to begin. At least for me, the missing visual presentations become more visible when I see many stories on a topic connected on a page. Those connections let me see others that should be available to our readers.
When I think of what the work would be for that, I see hyper attention to what our reporters churn out at the Missourian, I see pages and pages of lines illustrating relationships in what we produce, and I see us using the work that our designers have already done.
And I think that approach would let us see what is missing in our coverage. And then I think we could then follow those missing relationships and turn them into stories, graphics, slideshows and photos.
Plus, we would have made three awesome finished products that continue to grow and contribute to the Missourian's website and the knowledge of our readers.
What if we stayed in each of our groups and spent the remainder of our time taking what the Missourian produces (and has produced) and organizing it in the same way that the best websites on the internet organize information?
The immediate result would be a critical look at where the Missourian is missing the story in the topics of Growth, Green and Public Safety.
I see great potential for shells to exist as webs of information categories, to provide more context than a nutgraph can by connecting the dots of articles, editorials, online resources and statistics so that niche readers can really delve into what interests them.
And then, respond. And we can answer back.
Furthermore, if we begin laying the groundwork for those connections, we are making a resource for future reporters, and creating the space for non-narrative story-telling to begin. At least for me, the missing visual presentations become more visible when I see many stories on a topic connected on a page. Those connections let me see others that should be available to our readers.
When I think of what the work would be for that, I see hyper attention to what our reporters churn out at the Missourian, I see pages and pages of lines illustrating relationships in what we produce, and I see us using the work that our designers have already done.
And I think that approach would let us see what is missing in our coverage. And then I think we could then follow those missing relationships and turn them into stories, graphics, slideshows and photos.
Plus, we would have made three awesome finished products that continue to grow and contribute to the Missourian's website and the knowledge of our readers.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Green Means Go?
I just saw the ultimatum for the discussion board, and some things are clear. For one, the general consensus is that three shells up and running by the end of may will likely not work. I thing I'd have to agree with that.
Where I'm not so sure is voting on whether to pare down the groupings to two or just one. I feel slightly uncomfortable simply because I don't have a good enough idea just how viable the safety and growth groups think their shells are.
I don't know if I speak for the entirety of the green group, but we've met enough and have done enough outlining and reworking to where I think we have something that is feasible, to lay as a groundwork for others to add onto in future semesters. Again, however, that is currently based on just my time and experiences, for I've had a good week of getting some of my pieces together.
I'll pretty much post this same thing on Blackboard, too — I'm not sure where to vote. I'd want to hear from other groups how they're feeling. Because I think green could be OK. The question to me is between one and two shells, and I don't know enough about the groups' progress to make a decision with all available information in mind.
Progress: Briefly I'll discuss my workings. 1) Shells. 2) FOIA-ing some e-mails about the reprimanding of a staff member in regards to Norman Finkelstein's visit to campus Monday. 3) Beginning research on my new long-term project: the growth of Columbia College to various stations around the country, including Guantanamo Bay. Do Columbia residents fully realize the scope and audience to which Columbia College is now catering?
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