"
On immersion journalism:
Newark, N.J., Star-Ledger feature writer Robin Gaby Fisher,
a two-time Pulitzer finalist, suggested that immersion journalism is
narrative taken to its highest power. “Narrative is the private story
behind the public story, and it takes time to get that.” Spending every
waking hour for nine months watching two burn victims fight for
physical and emotional survival was “stressful, emotional but so
incredibly rewarding.” Choking up as she detailed their struggle,
Fisher shares her own struggles with her subjects. “Give up yourself,
because you ask so much of people.”
She thinks too many reporters flaunt their own importance to, and
“talk over,” their subjects. Instead, “Be quiet, listen, let things
unfold, and you’ll get remarkable stuff.”
Fisher believes, “You can become a great writer -– or at least tell
great stories -– through immersion … Don’t just parachute in,
hang out and expect them to open their hearts to you. It’s being there,
being a reporter –- a reporter, not a writer … If you can get in
(subjects’) heads, you’re home.”
Practice immersion with “day in the life” profiles, she said. “You
can teach yourself, and if you’re passionate (about in-depth reportage)
your editors will be passionate with you.”
Love the heck out of this.
Why Narrative Matters As Newspapers Struggle | Poynter. (via newmedia-at-sbc)
(via newmedia-at-sbc)
