WAG - Origins and Continuations
- Journeys down the Journalism Path
Living in the Journalism and Mass Communications Community has provided some unique thrills over the last few months. It’s nice being around people who actually pay attention to elections (often because the results will be on an upcoming quiz, but that’s a step up for many people). I have a better chance of having a conversation about media ethics here than when I lived in among the members of the honors tribe in Hatch Hall.
Those are all nice and dandy (well at least “nice.” I don’t have the attention span to look up “dandy” right now. Maybe later…), but today had an extra special treat.
Tomorrow will be the unveiling of the newly renovated Cramer Chronicle – now the Floyd Factor.
Never heard of it? Neither have most people in Cramer…yet.
Last semester the in-hall publication intended to be run for students by students was neglected by residents on both sides of the equation. People stopped writing and not much of a ruckus was raised about it.
There were some interesting articles in the sporadic run – about once a month if student staff members made sure people were assigned stories – but mostly it was just filler stories. Some of the contributors really cared and did work hard, but the end result only rarely reflected what had been put into the process.
I believe the Chronicle passed away shortly after the World Series ended. The final meeting, held during Game 2, only drew 6 people in the lounge. That number wouldn’t be so bad until you have to disqualify four people. Two people were there solely to watch the game and two were student staff members (including yours truly) whose presence was mandatory. A final one-page issue was cranked out by the remaining faithful, but afterwards the Chronicle died a quiet, unnoticed death.
A new life came two weeks ago when, while just floating a balloon, I asked the Cramer Council (a group made up off all the floor officers in the hall) what should be done about the old Cramer Chronicle.
The Governor of the Ground Floor said he and some of his friends had been talking about this recently and would be willing to undertake the revamping of the publication. I stared at the other student staff member present at the council meeting (who was the other staff member who witnessed the previous end of the paper) who looked back at me with a face that, I would wager, mirrored my own shock and incredulousness.
“Where were these people last semester?” was our question. A shrug was the only reply.
Anyway, flash forward 14 days and tonight I was reading the final draft of our newly emerged phoenix. It has wit, attitude, and most importantly, is filled with articles that the writers would want to read – even if they didn’t write it themselves. They show much progress.
I am tickled at the thought of residents putting together their own packaged publication. It seems extra appropriate due to a talk I had with my editing teacher this afternoon.
She wanted to get to know her students a bit better and went through a series of questions ranging from what do I like to read to what plans did I have for the future.
As I openly admit, I’d like to be a columnist. My teacher told me I was doing “a good thing” by working to write a little every day. It’s one thing to state a goal, and the broad strokes are easy to remember (get degree from college, try to get newspaper internship), but not everybody remembers to do the simple things as well.
I know my writing has improved in the course of working on this website (You think this is bad? Whew… The stories my English teachers could tell…). I knew this was good practice publishing daily (and producing more than the general “Boy I’m tired/busy/not going to post anything else other than I’m not posting” post). I’ve even thought that selections from the site itself could later be included in a portfolio when applying for a columnist gig.
I’ve pondered all these small pieces before, but today was the first time I put them all together to consider how this site is a stellar practice that should help me professionally.
I am proud of the fact I’ve kept this puppy running for so long. I’ve read that most sites are maintained for a few weeks. I can think of several sites that have gone under(developed) due to reasons ranging from apathy to hectic schedules to the parents found out too much information from skimming the archives.
The fact this site still exists, is a great accomplishment in itself, but today I realized a greater testament.
All the hours I’ve put into this site haven’t been wasted, but rather shall return with interest some day thanks to the writing skills I’ve been constantly honing.
At least that’s the idea…
I have a long way to go before I can look forward to cashing in some dividends. No one is beating down my door in a desperate quest to procure my services.
I have started down that path, however.
And I take some extra pleasure today because I am glancing over my shoulder and seeing some people are starting down the same trail.
Welcome back Cramer Chronicle, or from now on known as, the Floyd Factor. We’ve missed you, but are glad you’ve rejoined the party…and brought some friends.
I hope we all make dandy company some day.
'Dandy_definition_First_rate_or_Very_good'
