Monday, August 27, 2007

Remember how I said I loved my job....?

Well, I still like it, but I feel like something's missing.

Writing. That's what it is.

Sure, I get to write press releases and short articles for the numerous newsletters we produce, but I yearn to write a well-written, well-researched article with more than two sources that has the ability to affect people. Is that so much to ask?

I love stumbling upon a topic, doing some research, hunting down people to interview, then transcribing the interviews and then sitting down to create a masterpiece. It's fun to me. So while I am doing good work at a place that has a huge impact on the daily lives on Greater Clevelanders, I still feel like a part of who I am is sleeping.

Does anyone get what I mean?

2 comments:

Paula D. said...

I think I know how you feel.

Are any of us really 100% happy with our jobs? I think all us feel half asleep.

Hang in there!

Meranda said...

I know what you mean. I love the thrill of the chase — chasing down the perfect source, anecdote, statistic to put your story in perspective, to make it matter, to make it stick out. That's my personal high.

Thing is no matter where you go something will be missing. Because the chase is also very tiring, and sometimes when you can't find that perfect thing and you have to settle for a perfectly good *not great* story, you're disappointed. I guess that's what I love about newspapers though. Even if I hate a story or lament not being able to pull something off... tomorrow everyone forgets about it and I start over again blank. But on the flipside, when I am particularly proud of a story, tomorrow everyone forgets about it and I start over again blank. So double-edged sword, eh?

That said, any chances of freelancing? Maybe that's a way to do some of that research and writing you're yearning for while still maintaining the job you like. You know?