your inviolable rules of writing

[brandonsneed]

Report first. Report second. Report third. Write. Revise. Write again. Write again. Say fork it, turn it in and always believe you could have done it better.

This.

 

[trifectarich]

Few things irritate me more than reading that someone is a "rising" junior . . .

 

[Norrin Radd]

- Don't worry too much about every story. You'll have another chance tomorrow, so whatever.
- If a source doesn't call you back, write around them. It's their fault they don't get to be heard.
- If you're missing a crucial piece of information, simply ignore it. Not your fault. Editor asks for it, THEN pursue it.
- Write as quickly as you can. Check for typos, but most other things are what the editing process is for.
- Remember, the public doesn't really understand good journalism. At the high school and small college level, anything you write will be hailed by the people you write about and their loved ones. At the pro level, they'll seldom care about what you write anyway.
- So ultimately, don't allow writing to stress you out. Life's just too short.
- And always remember: you'll have another chance to get it right tomorrow. That's the beauty of regular journalism.

 

[BillyT]

- Don't worry too much about every story. You'll have another chance tomorrow, so whatever.
- If a source doesn't call you back, write around them. It's their fault they don't get to be heard.
- If you're missing a crucial piece of information, simply ignore it. Not your fault. Editor asks for it, THEN pursue it.
- Write as quickly as you can. Check for typos, but most other things are what the editing process is for.
- Remember, the public doesn't really understand good journalism. At the high school and small college level, anything you write will be hailed by the people you write about and their loved ones. At the pro level, they'll seldom care about what you write anyway.
- So ultimately, don't allow writing to stress you out. Life's just too short.
- And always remember: you'll have another chance to get it right tomorrow. That's the beauty of regular journalism.

Ignoring the outside possibility that this is sarcastic (because I know people who have these attitudes) . . .

While I like the sentiment of trying to get rid of stress, much of what's listed there goes against everything I have been taught.

From my point of view:

Do your absolute best on every story. Sweat the small stuff.
If a source doesn't call you back, call them back and email them and go to their office if necessary.
If you are missing a critical piece of information -- find it! It's your job to get it. It's not the editor's job to tell you it's missing. Especially if you already know it.
Your story should be the best it can be. Not just typo-free. Your job is to write it the best you can.
Whether people care or not, as a professional, you have to satisfy yourself.
Screw tomorrow. It's today's paper that matters.

 

[BillyT]

Never start a story, any story, ever, with a f*cking quote. It's lazy and a sign of a hack.

I am willing to occasionally bend this rule but it has to be a quote so good that it doesn't belong below anything else and that rarely, if ever, happens.

Also, be objective. Unless you're writing an opinion piece, leave your opinion out of it.

I have searched and searched for the right exception and have not found one in at least a decade.

How about question leads?

I generally dislike questions in stories because we should be providing answers.

I completely agree. Just posing the question.

 

[BillyT]

Few things irritate me more than reading that someone is a "rising" junior . . .

I hate this, too, but I know there are parts of the country where this is a common phrase, not just in sports.

"True freshman" also annoys the heck out of me. I understand the difference between that and a "redshirt freshman," but I just do not see the need.

 

[Azrael]

That no rule is inviolable.

 

[SoCalDude]

The "would" syndrome is going to drive me batty.
It's so rampant it's impossible to try to fix the issue at the source.
A few years ago, I explained to one of our stringers that you are writing about something that has already happened. So, write that it happened, don't write that it "would" happen.
He said he understood.
But he used that freaking phrase in EVERY story he wrote the rest of the season. I reminded him every week, and he never got away from it.
Now I see it everywhere from the top columnists to the lowliest freelancers.
Heard one of the ESPN guys say it recently and I almost threw the remote at the TV.
Between "would" and "as many as" ... "as soon as" ... it's driving me nutso.

 

[Zeke12]

That no rule is inviolable.

Except file on time and hit your inch count.

 

[3OctaveFart]

How about never use the word "inviolable" in copy intended for a mass audience?

"Use the right word, not its second cousin."
- Mark Twain

 

[3OctaveFart]

Get paid.

Seconded. Words put in good and entertaining order have value.

Yes.
Don't cook for free.
And don't shirt where you eat.

 

[Starman]

1. No "name pun" headlines or ledes.

"Baker cooks up a win for shirtsville," "Parker parks one over the fence," etc etc.

(We have one guy who does it on every gosh darn story. EVERY gosh darn STORY.)

2. The very first score you mention in any game story MUST be the FINAL SCORE of the game in question.

I've gotten stories which go into a lengthy discussion of Turdsburg High's 6-game losing streak, then continue to list them all in order, including partial scores, quarter scores, halftime scores, etc etc etc. before getting around to revealing the score of the gosh darn game the story was supposed to be about.