The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-05
TRIALS OF WRITERS.

TRIALS OF WRITER'S.
A leading New York journal aludes to the par
sgraphis,s as "minor journalists" The para
graphsts will not be easily convinced that they
are 50 far down as that. There are many silly
paragraphs in print, but the inaccuracies and
stupidities the stagnant duilness and the sickly
reasoning of the long articles that go to the read
ers of newspapers every day do not warrant the
expanders OF the press in trying to speak lightly
if, indeed, it is possbe f>r them to speak
lightly on any subject-of their briefer brethren.
Courier Journal.
The Courier-Jonnal is correct in its esti-
mate of the comparative value of long and
short articles in daily newspaper. An
article of column in length may be read
carefully through, on An average, by about
one reader in five. Each original article of
half q column in length will be read by at
least one-half of the same class Of readers.
And in proportion as the articles are dimin-
ished in length will the number Of those who
read them be increased. Without referring
to the mere chips and scraps of three, four or
five lines in length with which some journal
lists are fond Of filing long columns, it may
be accepted as fact in journalism that
column Of carefully worded and we'll studied
paragraphs is more interesting than the same
column could be if filed by the same writer
with one essay costing equal time and pains.
The columns of the daily newspaper ought
not to be looked to for exhaustive, elaborate
and studied treatises. The writer's for more
than half Of the daily journals of the repub-
lie furnish each an average daily leading ar
ticle. These articles must be on topics of in
terest and care must be taken that the facts
presented are well sustained and that the rea-
soning upon them is sound. Whether the
subject is familiar or not the writer must
learn all the latest authentic facts in relation
to it. He must study upon his subject for
the time being with industry and write upon
it with spirit and zeal Whether he is in
writing humor or not he is obliged to be ready
with his daily "leader." Whatever personal
fortune may betide him, whether he goes to
Lis work well and cheerful or with an aching
head and troubled spirit, he must be ready
with his diurnal essay.
This daily task is repeated more than three
hundred times in year. A majority of these
daily contributors Of editorials grow accus-
toned to their task and habituate all their
methods of thought and research to the i'm
mediate object in view. Their efforts are
measured and timed for the daily recurring
necessity, and they at length become disin-
elined, and to some extent incapacitated, for
the elaborate study and persevering investi-
CATION which prominent topics sometimes re-
quire. The process of daily writing under
compulsion jades and tires the best Of intel
lects more or less, and converts what might
have been remarkable for energy or sprightli-
ness into monotone or mediocrity.
The brain, like other secretory organs, has
limits to its productive powers. Its products
may be stimulated or repressed, but after ma
turity, and under the influence of regular
and complete discipline, it will, under favor
ing circumstances, do from week to week an
amount of labor and produce sum of re-
suits nearly uniform. If the product Of
week be condensed into two columns, it will
be essentially and intrinsically the same in
substance as if diluted with dozen columns.
The writer, who might produce one very
respectable article each week, or one re-
markedly vigorous and eff active article in each
month, may become so demoralizsd by rou-
tine work as to lose this capacity. Give the
racer the work Of the hack and he will soon
degenerate to the hacks level.
Our greater journals recognize this fact and
take pains to employ talent ct its best advan-
tage. They consult the laws which control
effective naturalization, and avail themselves
Of that force which sufficient repose gives to
every mind. They recognize the circum-
stances favorable to free and vigorous action.
Being able to employ numerous staff they
can divide labor according to the prociivities
and speciaities Of writer's. They secure good
articles by giving ample time for their produc-
ton. Shrewd business management IN jour
nalism recognizes the excellence of supply
and studies the best means of obtaining it.
To those who pursue journalism as voca-
ton, we can only suggest that they are to
recognize the necessities of the situation in
which they may find themselves placed; but
to those who desire to WIN and deserve dis
tinction as writer's, VIC volunteer this counsel:
Let them never write Q line unless they are in
full and healthy possession of all their powers,
and never publish Q paragraph which care
ca. polish OF thought can stTec Chen.