09/12/07 Chapter 3: Surprise! Surprise!

In chapter 3, Murray explores the delight of surprise within the world of writing. He explains that too many of today's journalists see what they expect to see even if it isn't there. In the same respect, they do not see what they do not expect to find, even if it is there.A writer should look for what isn't there; as much as what is, they should hear the unsaid as well as the said...they should imagine what could be. "The best writers delight in the unexpected" quotes Murray. I think this a fabulous quote to remember. While putting myself in the audience's shoes, I discovered that this exploration is proven to be true. When I read an article or story, I don't enjoy or even finish the ones that read like all the others. I want the surprise, both in technique and content. I enjoy reading the articles that were written with thought. It's important to avoid the cliché’s of vision when writing stories. Some stereotypes or cliché’s of vision are: the victim is always innocent, corporation execs are workaholics, politicians are crooks, and it's exciting in the city. Good reporting would be to step outside the borders of these cliché’s and explore what might be instead of assuming that the cliché’s are true. For example, Murray uses the example of hard-edged reporter discovering that the cliché' "he never did anything like that before" killer had actually been showing the warning signs of a killer for years. Starting at the age of 3, he was seen grilling pigeons, he played the Nazi torturer instead of doctor, and neighbors were forced to call the police on several occasions after hearing him beat his mother. A story like this, with the "surprise" factor revealing that the killer wasn't an innocent young man who had never done anything like this before, creates an interesting, exciting story that will lure people in. It also provides a great lead to other stories such as, early help for disturbed kids is crucial, or there are danger signals that neighbors and teachers should pay attention to.All in all, Murray makes a great point which is to look for the surprise in every story. A story with surprise is much more successful than one that is based on cliché’s.

09/08/07 Re-read Chapters 1 and 2 of "Writing to Deadline" by Don Murray. Post to your blog a paragraph or two in answer to questions 1 and 2

1.) As a communications student, I learned several tips about the process of writing from Murray in chapters 1 and 2. The main point Murray stresses is that writers get writing done because they have deadlines. He explains that the term, "deadline", comes from an actual line drawn outside of prison's walls. When prisoners crossed the deadline, they were shot dead. Murray says that he feels the same way about a writer's deadlines...they must be met or the writer will face professional death. I would pass on many of Murray's tips to other professional students. A few that I think are most important, are to rehearse and edit. To rehearse your writing means that you should reflect on the subject matter. Murray shares that he did most all of his important writing away from his desk. This was because he took time to sit back and think about the subject he was going to write about. If given a 3 hour deadline, he would rehearse, or think about the subject for an hour and a half, write for an hour, and edit for a half hour. This is a process of writing I think every professional student can learn from. The editing process is extremely important for every writer, and is most often the step that is skipped because of a lack of time.Every writer needs to allow time to stand back review their writing. You need to answer the reader's questions, clarifying, cutting, correcting, and polishing the writing. Rehearsing and editing are the 2 most important processes I would pass onto others.2.) Murray's specific idea that will help me the most in my writing process is the idea that less is more. I often times have a tendency to write more than what is needed. I use too many words, and talk around the subject instead of just getting to the point. He talks about when he started as a reporter at the newspaper, he discovered many things. One of which was the respect for specific detail. He says that he didn't lose his love for words, he just learned to focus that love for words on the specific details that needed to be stressed.During his interview with David Mehegan, Murray asks the questions, "How do you prepare to interview someone?". Mehegan responds by saying, "I need to know enough about what I'm writing about so that I don't ask questions that make me look foolish...but, I do not worry about being ignorant because my theory is taht we are all professional ignoramuses, it's our job to not know something and then to find out". I think this is great idea for writers to remember, especially new, inexperienced writers just beginning their career. The goal in interviewing is to find out what you don't know. There is no reason to feel ignorant when answering questions, afterall, that's what the interview is meant for...questions and answers.

09/04/07 Choose a fairy tale or well-known story, and write a hard-news lede for it.

Police search for missing girl in ruby slippers and her dog Toto after apparently losing their way on the winding yellow brick road.

8/29/07 "Still Singing Those Post-Katrina Blues"

Great story, very insightful. Although the content is not so uplifting, the main points remain true. Throughout the story, Wiltz maintains the same depressed tone, or voice that Robert mentioned. Wiltz's melancholic style was a great tool used to, as Robert also said, sympathize with the people of New Orleans. She did a great job of painting the picture as seen by the people of New Orleans. The people of New Orleans suffered huge losses. The musicians, those who survived, not only lost material things, they also lost many fellow musicians, and a life of entertaining that they were so accustomed to. The way of life as they once knew it is now gone, and many believe it will never return.

8/22/07 Is there anything in his last few columns that you can learn from in your own career as a professional writer?

After reading only his obituary and his last column, I have gained a deep respect for Mr. Donald M. Murray. I'm sure there are a countless number of things I could learn from his writings. However, the one thing I take away from today's reading is the amazing heart and soul he put into his writings. He wore his heart on his sleeve when it came to writing. He wrote about real life situations that he went through, and the feelings he experienced throughout those situations. The two experiences he wrote about in his last column were very sad, unfortunate ones, that most people wouldn't want to discuss, let alone write a column about, knowing that thousands would read it. Murray wanted to share his feelings with the world, in order to express the learnings he gained throughout his unfortunate experiences. His readings were enjoyable because they were real. His love for writing is extremely apparent, but his talent for writing proved to be even more apparent. The one thing I take away from Mr. Murray's writings is the method of writing meant to touch the hearts of everyday people.