Kindred on deadline writing

If this is a d_b I apologize. Didn't see it. Still, a neatly done treatise on cranking out copy when you have to in a hurry:

http://sportsjournalism.org/sports-media-news/a-deadline-column-about-writing-on-deadline/comment-page-1/#comment-2993

 

Good piece. I just sent it to my fellow staffers.

 

Great responses from Schulian, Pierce, and others.

 

It's easy to write nothing.
Best part of that entry is John Schulian's comment.

 

Some good stuff there. Thanks for the link.

I've been in the business for more than five years and still struggle hitting deadlines. Not sure if Mr. Kindred's points will help, but I'll give it a try.

 

Great, great stuff.

My favorite line, which I think about with every game I cover:

" 'Always be ready to write,' he said. We were at a heavyweight championship fight. 'Be thinking, if this ends on the next punch, ‘What can I write?’ ' "

 

Fantastic. Every one of them words rings true.

Not to change topics, because I don't think I am, but something that's often overlooked in the debate over blogging is how much it can help you on deadline.

Some view it as a hindrance to deadline writing, if for no other reason than blogging takes time from deadline writing. I don't feel that way at all.

I live blog everything I do on my beat, a beat for a school in the Eastern Time Zone where every other conference school is in the Central, in other words, 8 p.m. tipoffs, which aren't conducive to deadline.

I've found that blogging helps me immeasurably when it comes to refining my angle for the deadline story because, true to what Kindred writes, I am constantly writing. Just as the event unfolds before me, I am able to work through and sort out the importance of what's happening.

Blogging is like a rough draft, I can keep what I feel is relevant and toss out the rest, but I've also been working mentally through the event, much in the same way Kindred advises. I have an every-but-the-kitchen-sink sort of mind, so blogging helps me get focused. Not always, I thought my deadline story on the game I did yesterday was a mess, but more often than not, it helps a ton for me.

 

Great, great stuff... just sent it out to all of my gang.

Thanks for the link, n_w

 

I think we all know deadline writing is hard, but I think a lot of times we make it harder than it has to be. I just thought this had some practical advice about how to minimize that. Plus, I always enjoy reading Kindred.