[Journalists] freelance writer

[Campbell, Elizabeth]

hi Deborah,

Thanks for your great explanation.

RJ, most reporters have journalism degrees,and many of us also majored
in another discipline to make us more marketable, so to speak. In my
case, it was Spanish.
Many journalism schools encourage students to have more than one major.
I don't know where yu live, but have you read your local paper either
on Newsline or on its web site to get an idea of the writing style,
the issues covered and so forth. If you know of something that isn't
being covered that might be a way for you to get started. In other
words, send a short article to the city editor for instance just to
see what happens.

Liz
On 1/7/12, Deborah Kendrick <dkkendrick at earthlink.net> wrote:
> RJ,
> Hmmm.  You seem to have some slightly confused notions about this stuff, so
>
> I'll try to clear up a few things.  First of all, yes, of course, every
> journalist needs to go to school.  That doesn't mean that you get a diploma
>
> that says "Freelance wWriter" on it, though.  You need to go to school in
> that you need to be educated and understand the power of learning if you're
>
> going to be any good at researching, gathering data, and assimilating it,
> along with your own intelligent instincts, into a readable, listenable, or
> viewable piece of work.
> Regarding the business of credentials, what you need and how you obtain
> credentials depends on the situation.  Sometimes, there is a form to submit,
>
> on which you would enter the name of the publication or broadcast outlet for
>
> which the story is intended.  Other times, simply showing up and verbally
> explaining who you are and what you're doing is adequate.  In most ordinary
>
> situations -- i.e., not high profile events -- credentials per se aren't
> necessary.  You just go about getting information in as many ways as you can
>
> and crank out your story!  Elizabeth actually said it very succinctly and
> well:  Much of all this depends on how good you are!
> Hope this helps.
> Deborah
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "RJ Sandefur" <joltingjacksandefur at gmail.com>
> To: "Blind Professional Journalists List" <journalists at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, January 06, 2012 5:23 PM
> Subject: Re: [Journalists] freelance writer
>
>
>>I know TV news reporters have to go to school, but What about news paper
>>reporters? I had a person tell me once, "RJ, You like asking a lot of
>>questions, and you enjoy talking on the phone." I was under the impression
>>
>>freelance writers were independent journalists. During the Casey Anthony
>>story, I kept hearing allot about media credentials. How do the court
>>personal make sure John Do doesn't try to weasel his way into the media
>>gallery? RJ
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Elizabeth Campbell" <liz at star-telegram.com>
>> To: "Blind Professional Journalists List" <journalists at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, January 06, 2012 4:35 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Journalists] freelance writer
>>
>>
>>> HI RJ,
>>>
>>> I don't mean to sound harsh, but it depends on how good you are. In
>>> other
>>> words, how much time must an editor spend asking you questions or
>>> rewriting what you submit?
>>> What kind of freelance writing do you want to pursue Have you contacted
>>> newspapers or manazines?
>>>
>>> Elizabeth Campbell
>>> (817) 390-7696
>>> liz at star-telegram.com
>>> Fax: (817) 390-7789
>>> www.star-telegram.com
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: journalists-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>> [mailto:journalists-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of RJ Sandefur
>>> Sent: Friday, January 06, 2012 1:30 PM
>>> To: journalists at nfbnet.org
>>> Subject: [Journalists] freelance writer
>>>
>>> Hi, My name is RJ Sandefur. I'm going into ministry, but I like to keep
>>> up
>>> on current events. I'm interested in becoming a freelance writer. Are
>>> these people treated the same as news paper reporters? Sincerely, RJ
>>> Sandefur
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>>
>>
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>
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