I love the pre-planning that goes into a story. I begin by jotting down the big questions that need to be answered. I come up with a list of sources that would best relate to the article, provide expert commentary as well as an interesting perspective. I set up interviews weeks, sometimes months, in advance to not only start writing sooner, but also to have enough time to go back and ask them any questions if necessary. I make sure I start with surface level questions. The basics. For sensitive stories, I make small talk so they can warm up to me. After both parties are comfortable and aware of the story angle and how their contribution will be used, I dig deeper and ask questions that involve their opinion, relation to the subject or topic at hand, descriptions and more information than a reader could obtain from simply reading a website. From here, I decide whom to interview next and prepare an outline set up around the focus points and big themes. It then becomes a puzzle, the art of interlacing transitions and quotes.
I had the opportunity to write an article for Women's ENews, an online teen girl media outlet in the summer of 2014. I interviewed the director for Advocates for Youth, a county health commissioner in New York and teenage girls. I had to go outside of my comfort zone to find these sources. I spread awareness about sex safety and I discovered what was preventing teens from getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases.
I focused our inDepth around what exactly mental disorders are because many students were not aware of all they encompass. I interviewed a limited license psychologist, the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, our school social worker and a student. It was important I was able to accurately portray the information to best inform our community.
My main goal with this inDepth was to educate our peers on the LGBTQ community. I talked to our school social worker who shares support for struggling students, our LGBTQ club advisor and students who associate with the LGBTQ community.
For the college preparation edition, I went out into the community to talk to a college adviser, the technical school director, our school social worker and community college students. I provided post-secondary school options for our readers as well as the steps students should be taking to prepare themselves for the future.
I was fortunate to interview the doctor from John Hopkins who specifically studies Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, the rare genetic disease many of Erin's family members battle. He was not only an expert source, but he provided specific, relevant information to the piece.
For this article I covered a 'kindness' movement that was started after a GH student's death. I interviewed one of his family members from New York who plays a large part in the activities each autumn.
As my first real news story, I interviewed a Public Information Officer from the Michigan Department of Community Health. In addition, I talked to the Chief Medical Executive with the Michigan Department of Community Health and an infection control coordinator from North Ottawa Community Hospital.