Words of Wisdom

After a lovely meeting at Atwater’s Bakery with my fellow blogateers, I want to reflect upon the lessons in writing I’m gaining from participating in a political aggregate blog.

Now, you all are just starting to get to know me so maybe I should back up from the last two months. I’ve been busy. After surviving the electrical apocalypse at my university in record high Baltimore heat, while trying to do a media research project, alongside learning how to write for this blog, I’ve had little time to  come up with a way to utilize my voice here on Patch.

It’s thanks to this internship, though, that I have the privilege of working with a fun, down-to-earth guy, with twenty-five years of expertise as a journalist, by the name of Kal. He’s encouraged me to use this space on Patch as a way to record these summer experiences and maybe divvy up my long rants (the way columnists have blogs).

That is the most difficult obstacle for me, whenever I write: how to pick one topic and stick to it. (I like a lot of things and I don’t like to categorize myself.) I’m also a little more opinionated in my drafts than the final posts let on. But the website is not mine, it’s my editor’s, so I can elaborate here referring to my rough drafts.

I feel lucky to be working with Kal at this time because I can tell that he is being reflective as well--- about what he has to give to the world and, specifically, what to write about.

I recently blogged about Michelle Bachmann in coincidental timing. I was supposed to write about her the week before her surprise candidacy announcement, but my editor encouraged me to pursue a pitch I gave him about honesty, trust, and fidelity in politics (post-Weinergate, it was about whether scandals are hypocritical and important or irrelevant). So opportunely the following week, Bachmann announced her candidacy the day before my post was due and alongside all my research, everyone was interested in her (loving or hating, there aren’t many mixed reviews with Bachmann) and I received a high number of comments from my peers.

It was a remarkable feeling and shows what I really want to do with my voice--- initiate intellectual discussion, particularly with young people. Having the opportunity to do that now (in avenues such as this one) is very humbling and rewarding for me personally.

At this past meeting, Kal gave all of the bloggers some advice in reference to those types of biographical pieces. In showcasing these candidates now, we prepare ourselves and our readers, for their big moments in the race. It’s really important for us to treat these candidates fairly to build a trustworthy foundation in the months to come before we start calling out their accomplishments and failings.

What's great about writing these pieces “fairly” (especially for rookies like me just starting to blog on politics) is that our views avoid becoming “pigeonholed”. I never thought about this, but I’m glad I heard it.

I believe that as my blogs develop, I should continue to take topics on openly and fairly as readership builds. Then, when Bachmann makes a significant stride (or trips!) or something I’m passionate about comes up in the news, I can feel freer about writing something more op-ed, more sided, because I will have built a readership based on trust with individuals who would be interested in my side of the story.

I personally find it so disappointing to make a new friend who is so bright and intelligent, but very opinionated the first time you meet him or her. I don’t want to be the kind of writer/blogger who feels entitled and fails to listen and respond to readers' views, who take the time to read my perspective.

So, my question for you, all of you bloggers writers and readers, is how do you approach writing and where have you found your voice? What writers do you admire and why?