Managing editor of Positive Living Magazine Jason Motz took some time out of
his busy schedule to educate a class of Camosun students on his experience as a
freelance writer.
Jason went into depth on his experience as a
freelancer, and offered tips and tricks along the way that are very useful for
new writers. “I encourage you to read widely and read wildly” Jason said early
in his interview. It may not be the first thing a new writer thinks of, but
reading is a very important aspect to becoming a good writer. Jason urged the
class to read everything they could, not just what they found interesting.
As an editor, Jason has a pretty
good idea of what makes a good writer, and what makes a poor one. Freelancers
need to learn to hustle, and juggle. As a freelancer, you have to make your own
orders. You don’t have someone telling you when to go to work, or when you can
take your lunch break, it is up to you to build your schedule, and get the work
done. Jason explained that although it can be nice to work on your own schedule,
it comes with allot of anxiety, and uncertainty.
Jason listed things that he looks for in a writer, and quality’s he thinks are very important if you want to work in the field. Things like accountability, curiosity and hustle will go along way in the industry. These tips seem simple, but they are easy forget and incredibly valuable for student looking to work as a writer.
Jason listed things that he looks for in a writer, and quality’s he thinks are very important if you want to work in the field. Things like accountability, curiosity and hustle will go along way in the industry. These tips seem simple, but they are easy forget and incredibly valuable for student looking to work as a writer.
I suppose your work as a photographer is very similar to freelance writing. You have to hustle and juggle - just a different medium, really.
ReplyDeleteFrom one Jay to another, hello
ReplyDeleteSports photog, hey? Funny enough, just the other day Andy and I were having a chinwag, during which we bemoaned the lack good sports journalism, and sports-based writing in general. A few names stick out, of course: Dave Zirin, Declan Hill, and Andrew Jennings. Ever read them?
And if you don't read Howler, get a subscription for a year: visually exciting with jaw-breakingly good content. All football, soccer if you will.
I say this because the media landscape has made photographers redundant. Now, a writer who struggles with a selfie of his breakfast burrito is expected to provide print-ready photos. My advice? Be a double threat. Marry your photography with journalism. And you're in the perfect city for a budding sports reporter. (That may not be your pursuit, but you're young enough to dabble around before finding your fit.)
You made some choice observations here, good.
However ... "things" and "thinks" are not the most compelling word choices. Dig a little deeper for some emotive, evocative verbiage.
Cheers!