Writing Lessons from working in tv news

Writing to a news deadline, where the clock is ticking down to a live programme as I write my script, article, VO(voiceover), or comms has taught me several things about writing for news that can be adapted for all other kinds of writing -

• focus on the story - who - what - where - why - when - how - reaction and strip away all irrelevancies, all padding, all excess writing
• word counts are essential for the timing of a story, the story must be able to fit into the alloted time space given to it by the programme
• it is really important to let go of my work - shipping being an almost immediate prerequisite of news
• there is a producer / subeditor who will put red pen through my words at the drop of a hat
• others can be harsh about work and words they don't think meet the mark
• learn from criticism & be tough
• be able to defend work when appropriate
• words can nearly always be improved
• strip away, strip away, give the best work, cut anything that is outside of that
• be tough, take criticism (although not necessary agree with it) and move onto the next story
• there always is another story
• be aware of what the next story is, how to find it, who to talk to, and whether it is actually news

Day Five of Jeff Goins series is about shipping.  Getting through the preparation and procastination, putting work out there.  Right now I am preparing the second draft of my book, while researching agents, publishers & approaches.  All essential parts of shipping.

What have you learnt about writing from the environment you work in?

That's it for now ...

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