I am back into deadline print and need advice

[mistymorning13]

Some quick background, I used to write a weekly article for the Bar Harbor Times, just a witty gossip column, but I was young, irresponsible and testing limits, pushing the envelope of what could be aloud in newspaper print and very poor with deadlines. After that experience I wanted to redeem myself and was on a development board for a new newspaper. As a result the competitor swooped in with another publication and the remnants of the group started a rebellion print that is a bit edgy. I debated for quite awhile about working with them, the opportunity was open but I would of had to ignore moral conflicts. I submitted writings with rejections to other publications and stopped trying for quite awhile. Now God has opened the door with an online quarterly for my college. I have been asked to participate in both spring and fall publications. I have completed an assigned interview and have to submit one article this week. My nerves are getting the best of me although I know I can do this, because I want to succeed so much it is making it difficult to Just do it.

[susanne]

hang in there hun! Keep your eyes on Jesus! Nreves are jsut a tool of the devilused to distract you from doing waht you know you should do. Tell him to get lost and just start plugging away! I will pray for you! Susanne

[Phy]

Nerves are also a function of the collision between adrenalin and your moral compass. You want to do well, but in the process of appreciating how well you want to do, you forget to breathe (as it were), starving your metaphorical mind in your own excitement.

Take a deep breath, ask God for guidance, and start plunking away, even if the first draft is utter dreck. (Actually, that's bad advice. Ask God first.) As Ebert wrote, the Muse comes /during/ the work. Start somewhere, anywhere, and you'll find your way eventually.

You can do it.

[paulchernoch]

What area will you focus on? Current events? Counseling on dating and romance?

Get in the habit of reading the columns of others who write articles on a similar range of topics. This will help you avoid sameness, if you know what others have already said.

Read up on logic. There are websites devoted to logical fallacies. Once you know them and are trained to spot them, you can puncture the arguments of others, as well as write better reasoned material yourself. For example:logicalfallacies.info (http://www.logicalfallacies.info/)

A majority of reporters are liberal and hostile to organized religion, and tend to quote liberal scholars, thinktanks and public figures. Make it a point to acquaint yourself with conservative groups and their research. You will find information the average person is unaware of and offer a perspecitve lacking in the mainstream media. Then even if people disagree, they will be hearing a different voice which distinguishes you from the crowd. The Heritage Foundation is one good source of sociological studies. And I visit TownHall.com often because they have links to the best conservative sources for information and opinion.

- Paul