Writers Must Be Reporters

Over time, some colleagues and I have noticed how many freelance writers, who have never worked in more traditional forms of journalism, don't think of themselves as reporters, and that's a pity. In my view, at least, there is an obligation for writers, whose work will appear in newspapers, magazines, and books, to focus on more than just the cleverness of their prose, or the invoice that accompanies it. The heart of any writing is its subject: the story. To get the story right means getting the details right. Not that I'm of the school cheering for mindless piles of verified detail as a form of story in itself. But if someone is going to make claims, then the writer has the obligation to do at least a little verification and apply a modicum of skepticism. When there is a mistake in a story, the writer should take it seriously, and, if the source of the error as gatekeeper, feel he or she let the reader down.

I've recently had the experience of some sources responding to Profnet queries and touting themselves as experts, citing their books. A little investigation showed two being self-published and another the client of a service that helps public speakers produce books to extend their platform. In principle, I have nothing against self-published authors. Many wonderful books had their start that way, and I've seen useful work from people who were truly experts in their fields come out of such production. But that is the exception these days, when people want instant credibility to further their careers. If someone cannot get a traditional publisher to take on a title, you should at least ask why. If not, you act as a PR outlet for the person.

When you blindly note every claim someone makes and one turns out to be wrong, you have two problems. One is that you've shirked your professional duty, and may have ruined your credibility with that publication. The other, as I've seen by friend and colleague Randy Hecht point out, is that you continue developing habits that will keep you from reaching the professional heights you otherwise might.

Debra Cash, a colleague and reader of this blog, had sent me a link about how the contracts for reality television shows can read. The author of the post, Joey Skaggs, is known as a media prankster, undertaking political and social commentary by making reporters look like fools. In his case, at least, he says that every communication he has with reporters contains at least one clue that they are being hoaxed. However, the vast majority of people who want to use you - whether would-be expert or corporation trying to burnish its market image - won't be so intentionally kind. That is why vigilance is the first step toward superior writing. As any chef knows, when the ingredients are good, you're 80 percent of the way to a good meal.