A young throw-back journalist tackling the news biz
College Media
Advice from a columnist legend
In the most recent installment of The Charlotte Observer’s intern seminars, we got to hear from Tommy Tomlinson, columnist extraordinaire. This one didn’t follow the “How to be a good intern” form. It was more a rambling advice session from one of the most respected men in Charlotte. Here’s what he had to say:
- If you feel like you suck, look at stories you wrote six months ago. You’ll see how much you’ve gotten better.
- Figure out what you’re good at and what you’re not good at. And find what you enjoy doing. But still confront your fears. Do stories on topics that intimidate you.
- Creative work is a pain in the ass. Anybody who says writing is easy is probably not doing anything worth reading.
- Appreciate and celebrate your successes. Then get back to work and find a way to do better.
- News is like a public utility, like water. People expect to be able to turn it on whenever they want and get what they need.
- Be funny when you can, and you’ll be more trusted on the serious stuff. Nobody likes hanging out with a guy who’s doom and gloom all the time.
- If you’re in college, don’t worry about your GPA. Get published. Nobody’s going to ask you about your grades.
- People have lives. You can have one too. Go to shows, plays, movies, lectures, etc.
- Don’t be afraid to ask really stupid questions. And don’t come back not perfectly understanding something.
- Nothing replaces shoeleather/going to the scene.
- Don’t sell yourself short by accepting a job you don’t really want because you don’t think anything else is available. Metaphor: Don’t park far away from the mall assuming there won’t be a closer spot.
- At the end of your internship, if your shoes aren’t scuffed up, you haven’t done enough.
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