A Writer’s Practice

“YOU are good, but I hope you will not disappoint us as others did.”

The first day I met the assistant editor of the publication, I was given a big challenge to prove that I am different from them and I am one of a kind. This became my guiding line on my internship. When time is set, I arrived before the time that was said for me not to be late. In case I was not familiar of the places assigned to me for coverage, I always asked sir JM for instructions. It is better to ask than to pretend to know it.

At first, when tasks were assigned, I was worried not able to do it, but I had accomplished every story given to me. Every story bears unique style of writing and the angling of it. However, still bases on the sample article I had read that my superior had written. Following the technicalities in news writing, it had never been difficult for me to make stories.

When Mr. Sam asked me to attend the Philippine Mines Safety Engineers’ Association’s Annual National Mining Safety and Environment Conference here in Baguio last November 2012, in preparation I conducted a research. This is to familiarize the terms in mining that they might be using on the gathering. During the event, I met different kinds of people like miners as well as engineers. They both had the heart of being a miner. Also, the weeklong activity boosted the confidence in me as I had to interview them to come out with a story full of characters as what the editor in chief instructed us to do so. He wanted statements to be backed up. That was another thing I kept in mind during the first task until the last and even when I will be working as a media person.

The challenge I had to face on this assignment was the fear of talking with people whom I don’t know. Thus, I have learned talking to them will actually make you acquainted with. I also had to practice time management in this coverage, since I had to submit the story on time before the day end because it has to be published the next day. Time management is an important thing to be considered in news gathering.

In the real media world, I have learned that it is necessary to mingle with other media reporters for me to be welcomed in the media circle.

When asking question, be confident and concise. Panelists would like to answer questions which are very much connected with the topic and might direct them share more information to the public.

I had a difficulty identifying the faces of the councilors because I cannot distinguish who is who since they were not on their respective offices. My only option was to ask the city employees on the names of the officials in front and who was talking. Never be hesitant in asking names of people especially for a nuance like me. But after all, this should only be done once.

Before writing the story, I had already kept in mind what will I write. The angle of the story must already been decided before sitting in front of the computer and build it. A story without a striking lead is weak. The angle of the story must be focused to the most important detail of the news.

Admit your weakness. For me, I actually said to my superior that I have a hard time writing a feature article because I am not into it.

In general, I was able to put into practice the knowledge shared inside the classroom. The world of media is a world of fun and challenge for me. Challenge because of choosing which should be delivered to public. Fun because of knowing new things in every place I go. Maybe this is only because I am still new, but I look forward for new challenges when I will be in the media organizations already working as a real media personality.

I am ready now to face the real media world!