3 Module 2C – Next steps
Writing pre-work
After we have sniffed out what we think will be a good enterprise story, we have some work to do before we write a story proposal.
Those next steps include:
- Doing a database search—that will help refine our idea and will help us avoid a story that has “a great command of the obvious.”
- Deciding on the focus—narrow is usually better than wide.
- Deciding on the tone—straightforward, amusing, incredulous, baffled, angry, heart tugging.
- Deciding on a tactical approach—the form of the story. (More on story forms in a following module)
Consider this
Cultivating the ability to come up with good story ideas can propel your journalism career.
In 2011, The New Yorker published this piece about how Jill Abramson launched her career at The Wall Street Journal.
Abramson was invited to an interview with the Washington bureau chief, Al Hunt, who agreed to see her only to accommodate (then-managing editor) Norm Pearlstine. Hunt expected a perfunctory meeting, but it turned out to be “unlike any interview I ever had,” he (Hunt) recalls. “Jill rattled off seven or eight fabulous story ideas that had never occurred to us. I’ve interviewed hundreds of reporters and editors for jobs and this easily was the most impressive and memorable.”
Abramson was hired and went on to report and write many (Wall Street Journal) front-page investigative stories. In 1993, she was promoted to deputy bureau chief.
Years later, Abramson became executive editor of The New York Times.
Summary
Our ability to continuously find good story ideas not only will define our careers but also will delight and enrich readers, listeners, and viewers. Becoming an idea machine is a process; we learn to look at the world with ever-curious eyes and a mental checklist of questions. When we master this, we will find interesting stories to report everywhere.