I don't think, as a journalist, I'd ever get a story written. I'd probably spend five years researching it, and by the time I'd finish it, no one would be interested in it anymore.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Eventually the story would spill over into the regular media.
My inclination, as an old-school, classically trained journalist, is not to go with a story unless I have it hard. It's not good enough to say something based on rumors that were flying around.
I became a journalist partly so that I wouldn't ever have to rely on the press for my information.
I was never a good journalist, because I would make things up. A lot of people frowned on that, which is why I ended up in fiction.
My intent was to gain experience for fiction I eventually hoped to write. But there's no question I was drawn in by the hope that journalism would be a creative, thrilling environment.
I would not send a first story anywhere. I would give myself time to write a number of stories.
I would never write a memoir, because it would be too boring.
If the story wasn't overly long, I'd type it out. And I'd carry it around with me for a week and jot notes on it, and then I'd throw it away and do another one.
I'd be a terrible journalist. I wouldn't want to pry; I just don't have that nature.
In fact, I spent 25 years as a reporter, swearing I would never become an editor. Sitting at a desk, watching other people go out and find the story, and then fussing with other people's words - I just didn't get the appeal of that.
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