Too much, too soon

Read Death of a Racehorse, if you haven't already (and if you have, read it again).
Read the greats of the art, and not just in sports. Breslin. Royko. Dan Barry.
Tell stories. Use small stories to illustrate your big points. And report the shit out of them.
And remember that the best columnists almost never write about themselves.
Good luck. Have fun. And pay no mind to the cranks.

 

I can't tell if this is an insult or a compliment haha.... so if it's an insult I say, Coors Lite OK? And if it's a compliment....well, um, thanks, what'll you have?

 

If you weren't nervous and daunted, you probably wouldn't be any good.

Don't be afraid to piss people off and stir things up, but only be a real bastard to other bastards.

 

You know, that's pretty damned good advice.

 

I've always felt that the best reporters and the best columnists share at least one trait, and that's the recognition that there are multiple spectrums through which to view a particular subject. The most interesting and most real writing - and, by extension, the most interesting and most real columns - acknowledge those shades of gray.

There are many Black-and-White Columnists out there -- I don't mean African-American and Caucasian -- and while being one and proclaiming it at the top of one's lungs is a good way to get oneself on television, I find it boring.

 

sage, dammit.

 

OK, seriously now.

If even a rather clueless executive moved you into a columnist's role, he saw a glimmer somewhere. If he saw that glimmer, others will too. You apparently have exhibited that "twist of a phrase" that they're looking for. I am not making sport of that ability; I respect it.

There's your resume. Do not question it. You're in. You have the super-secret password. Now run with it. And don't question yourself so damn much.

 

i know who this person is. this person can write his/her ass off. i think being 24 might be keeping this person from saying, "yeah, i'll bring it all day ... bitch."

s/he'll do well ... until the world of journalism crumbles, of course.

 

Yeah, well, you could at least credit me with a far-sighted, mature post smacking of the experience of the ages.

Bee-otch.

 

i'd like to take this moment to credit you for a far-sighted, mature post smacking of the experience of the ages.

once again, one of your posts made me stop, and ponder a bigger dynamic in this little thing that we call life. thank you. thank you for taking the time to post among mere mortals.

 

Fuckin' A. I need more hops and barley.

 

Good luck. And may your column-writing style be leagues above your post-writing style.