Once when I filed copy about an inspiring bride for a best-selling women’s magazine, a sub editor pointed out: “You haven’t said what colour shoes she was wearing.”
On a regional evening paper where I started out, writing about an armed robbery at a fuel station, a sub’s enquiry came: ‘Was the victim buying petrol or diesel?’
It would be easy to get the hump when these queries come through, but for a freelance journalist, this level of detail is needed. Sending a story that ‘doesn’t beg any questions’ is a clear goal.
This week I’ve submitted my work to three national publications and there have been questions. I used to take these as signs of failure and beat myself up for not including them in the first place.
But not anymore. I just get my head down and answer as swiftly as I can.
Unless they’re asking basic things of course, like how old someone is or is their name spelt correctly – I’d be well p*ssed off with myself if that happened.
Often details requested have been taken out to fit with a wordcount required.
I would say though, national media at this level can be very demanding – so you have to be prepared and confident to deal with it. I’m inspired by the talented and resilient journos who do this day in, day out.
I’m helped by past experience of facing sometimes quite ferocious editors as a senior regional staffer and current work as an editor too.
But I sometimes wonder if wannabe freelancers would be better served with an intro to just how meticulous copy has to be rather than seemingly ubiquitous advice about how to pitch.
When it’s me in charge, I’m as nurturing and constructive as I can be — more than 20 years after a reporter didn’t like my feedback and told me to f*** off in a Midlands newsroom.
I hope this insight is useful. My number one tip for anyone wanting to write for the national press: Don’t just get your facts right, also make sure they’re all in there…