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April 29, 2005
For All Aspiring Writers
Slate just published an article that I found very interesting. Any aspiring writer, travel or not, can relate. "Krystal Mess The embarrassing—and painfully familiar—story of an overeager young journalist" is written by Alex Heard, the editorial director of Outside magazine.
Heard admits having said some pretty embarassing things as I'm sure we all have done (I know I've said plenty!).
"• High school, 1973-75: No journalistic involvement. Dabbled in theater to jump-start vague creative urges. Wrote a one-act play about a boozing, womanizing ventriloquist—midway through his act, his dummy's head falls off, signaling the arrival of … Death!
• College, 1975-on: At a small, rural State U. in Kansas, "fed my mind" with more theater bilge, then transferred to Vanderbilt and started writing for campus publications. High point: wrote a mock-existential short story about life in grade school. Low: Sent that story to The New Yorker, with a note saying, "This was a big hit on campus. Could you guys print it, too?"
• Summer 1979: Secured an internship at the Nashville Tennessean. Blew it, because I'd neglected to learn how to report. Had this exchange with a superior. He: "How's it going?" Me: "I feel like I'm getting the hang of everything—except for facts and quotes." [...]
• 1983-2005: Um, no additional mistakes. Except that, as I matured, I lost a lot of my ability to take ridiculous risks and pratfalls. Krystal, if you're listening: Don't let that part happen to you."
Helene
www.insideoutmag.com
Posted by insideoutmag at April 29, 2005 10:26 AM