From: yoshi@nocusuhs.nnmc.navy.mil (D M Yoshikami)
Newsgroups: misc.writing
Subject: Re: writing insecurities
Date: 13 Aug 92 12:28:26 GMT
Organization: National Naval Medical Center

In article <92225.154641U52892@uicvm.uic.edu> U52892@uicvm.uic.edu writes:
>Have you ever felt like this?
>
>I'm a struggling reporter in Chicago. There are times when I feel
>I'm wasting my time in journalism. When people ask me why I like
>journalism, I tell them I'm good at it. But am I really good?

Be careful when you question yourself, because if you really get too hard on
yourself you may wind up with a self-fufilling prophecy.  I don't really want
to say that you shouldn't question: you have to keep yourself from puffing up
with presumptiousness.  But don't wipe yourself out.  The times of trouble
and tribulation will teach you more about what you are doing than the times
of easy living and relaxation.  No matter how old you get, you are always
learning.  Talk to older reporters who have "made it"; some of them once were
struggling reporters, and fellowship with them can really help.  They will also
have pointers and hints which will save you years of hardship and trouble of
learning it the long way.  Just make sure that you find people who will
encourage you rather than discourage you.  

>Yesterday, I submitted an article to my boss. She told me the
>article was good but needed revisions. At that point, I started
>to have self-doubts on whether I am just not a good writer. I know
>I'm a good reporter but not a good writer. My articles are often
>well-researched and substantial but structure is weak and awkward.
>How will I become a good writer?

Here are some hints that may help.  First, Read read read read read read and
read some more.  Read lots of good writing.  If you are looking for good
organization and structure, read a good non-fiction writer who has a good
command of organization and structure.  Does not necessarily have to be a big
tome [But then again, you might (just might) want to read Gibbon's 
_Decline_&_Fall_Of_the_Roman_Empire ;-) his writing is actually pretty good]
in fact, with small books, it may be easier to see the organizational 
structure.  But by all means read some more.  You probably read a lot
already, and that is good.  Keep it up.  You will write as you read.

Second, write lots.  Your job will make you do this.  Do not expect that
you will bat .500 automatically.  You will learn more from your mistakes
than your successes.  If your boss suggests revisions which are meaningful
(one of the ways you can tell is that not only they are correct, but tear you
up inside your heart), be as thankful as you can -- you will learn so much
from them.  Be thankful when you have a boss who gives you meaningful 
revisions than a "YES-man" or a boss (like mine) whose idea of revisions is
to turn your paper into federalise (yecch!).  

Third, recongnise your strengths as well as your weaknesses.  It is good that
you know you are a good researcher besides knowing your writing may need some
improvement.  Build on your strengths.  You can use your strong points to 
outgun your opponents, and to buttress your weak points.  Perhaps, since
research is your strong point, you may wish to do some research on writing
principles.  [If you are interested, the folks on the net can
recommend a few books -- there is an FAQ ]

>I realized journalism is different from fiction and technical writing.
>But any comments, suggestion or personal stories on doubting one's
>calling --- in this case, journalism --- and ability are welcome.

Hope this helps!

DY :-)

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D M Yoshikami  :-) ;-) :-) | Internet: yoshikami@usuhsb.ucc.usuhs.nnmc.navy.mil
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