Nice work with your pitches. I know it’s not easy to get up and sell a story idea to a dozen people but it’s a great way to figure out what you have and what you need to fix, as well as good practice for the future. Some impressive feedback, too. Thoughtful, helpful, and considerate. Some of you have a future as editors if you choose.
Each of you will be hearing from me via email with a breakdown of three elements of your pitch: your presentation, your idea, and your group feedback. If your idea is underreported or shaky I’ll let you know and you should send me a written update by 5 PM on Monday.
For Next Week:
In the meantime, your assignment for next week is to write a 500-word scene and email it to me by Monday at 5 PM. As discussed in class, it can be either observed or re-created. For more details, scroll down to the bottom of this post.
Also for next week, please familiarize with the work of our in-class guest, Chronicle columnist Ann Killion. Ann is a two-time California Sportswriter of the Year, author, frequent TV and radio guest, and all-around badass. Check her out on Twitter here and read her Chronicle stories here.
Other notes:
- The full Neiman annotated breakdown of the bowling story is here.
- I hate having to bring this up, but class starts at 2 PM. If you can’t make it on time, you need to let me know so we are not waiting for you. If it’s a persistent problem, perhaps consider whether your class schedule is too full. I won’t be offended if you drop. I understand that three hours is a long time, and you all have other projects and busy, crazy lives. But part of the value of the class comes from the group. Had we started the pitches at the beginning of class, the first students wouldn’t have had the benefit of feedback from everyone. I don’t know about you guys, but I’d rather start class on time and end on time. Are most of you rushing from another class? Then let’s start at 2:05 and go to 5:05. All of our time is valuable. Let’s not waste it. Please reach out personally if you want to discuss.
- Please bring a tape recorder to class next week.
SCENE ASSIGNMENT
Write either an observed or re-created scene, full of telling details, action, characters, and, if relevant, dialogue. Make it no longer than 500 words and email it to me, in a document with your name on it, by Monday at 5 PM. Also bring a printed copy to class, as we’ll be discussing them.
If you can, choose a scene linked to your larger story so you can further your progress at the same time. So, for example, Spencer could either go to Golden Gate Fields, observe an afternoon of races, and write it up. Or, as he mentioned, he could re-create a previous race like Russell Baze’s sendoff. In either case, keep track of your sourcing. My advice: Choose whichever format you want to get better at. I’m going to edit closely, so it’s an opportunity to fine-tune elements of your writing, or, alternatively, dig in as a reporter in ways you haven’t before.
If you can’t tie it to your story, that’s fine. Choose something interesting to report.
Tips:
Observed: Go somewhere interesting. Pick a boring place and you’ll get a boring scene. Stay there for over an hour – longer is better. More people is better. Action is better. Riding a bus line from start to finish is an example. Or going to a football game and walking the stadium during the game. Use all your senses. Smell, hearing, touch. Use your ability to interpret actions and notice telling details. Listen for dialogue. Weave it all into your writing. The finished piece doesn’t need to have a beginning-middle-end but it certainly can. The goal is to put the reader * there * and make her feel something using only description. As always, think cinematically.
Re-Created: Pick an event with clear action and resources. These can be obvious: Interviewing people who were there. They can be archival/digital: notes, letters, emails, texts, social media, video. The lede to the David Grann story is one example. Chunks of Robert Swift and Jill Costello consist almost entirely of re-created scenes. It can be simple, and need not be sports. Focus on the craft here. Note all your sources.
Storytelling Through Sports 