01 Dispatches from a Distance
Finding new ways to be apart, together
Greetings!
I hope, despite the uncertainty we all find ourselves in, that you’re finding some time for yourselves and celebrating the small victories (week one of distance learning, check!). Together (and yet still apart) we will make it through these challenging times.
So…what is this?
It’s an experiment. The goal for this weekly newsletter is to share observations on visual and digital journalism, non-fiction storytelling and the creative process. Nothing about class or assignments or logistics. Just notes on where I go for inspiration, how I start (or finish) a project, and what’s happening out there in this ever-changing industry of ours. Since I don’t have the luxury of seeing you all in person multiple times a week, this is my next best idea (and one I’ve had for awhile now).
If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea or if you think you hear from me entirely too much already, feel free to unsubscribe and delete this email. If not, feel free to share.
So for today, a thought on process.
Observation vs Experience
The primary goal of reporting is to observe and to summarize, right? But part of the reporting process is to remove ourselves from the experience of what we’re documenting. We use a camera, a notepad, or a microphone as a portal - a window through which we record what’s happening in front of us while firmly believing that “I’m here to report on this, not to live it. It’s not my story.” We’re trained, for the most part, to leave ourselves behind.
But what happens when we are in the story? Right now, many of us are in some form of lockdown, trying to make sense of this crisis as best we can. We cannot simply observe this moment because we are all experiencing it. And that’s ok.
We’re learning, in real-time, both how to live with this new (and temporary) reality and how to report on the world around us - even if it’s within our own homes. To strike that balance, I have a four thoughts:
Report for yourself, too. Journaling, drawing, painting. Finding a way to get your thoughts out of your head onto a page (just for yourself) is just as important as reporting you do for everyone else.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Despite the constant news updates and the rapidly evolving situation, a day still takes 24 hours to pass by. Reporting a little each day or in bursts over a couple days keeps you focused and on track.
Structure your time. The best lesson I learned as a freelancer was figuring out how to use unstructured time. There many techniques (I make lists on a whiteboard), but now is a good time to develop what works for you. It’s a real skill!
Know when to cut bait. It’s important to know when to switch gears, and consume a guilty pleasure. For me, it’s surf films and pretty much any documentary about salmon.
Until next week,