Making the effort to promote good writing

Institutionalize excellence and give reporters the latitude to take risks

By Lyle Harris

Good newspaper writing is no accident. It happens because good newspapers make it an integral part of their daily mission and demand it from their reporters.

Unfortunately, however, there’s frequently an assumption that everything a reporter needs to know about the craft he learned in J-school (or in a previous newspaper experience). Wrong.

So how can time-stressed editors give reporters the care and feeding they need to become better writers? As a midcareer reporter who has worked at four major dailies, here are seven suggestions.

Encourage experimentation: Whether you’re editing an old hand or a rookie, the foremost goal should be to create an open environment where creativity can take root. Newspapers are among the few remaining workplaces where ideas flow freely, but, even in newsrooms, that doesn’t happen often enough.

Too many editors — because of fear, lack of experience, or relentless deadline pressures — are unwilling to give reporters the latitude to take risks with their writing. Every writer has a voice. Make it your job to help him find it and then refine it.

Always provide feedback: By giving a reporter a well-deserved slap on the back — or kick in the pants — after a story appears in the paper, editors are defining the quality of stories they’ll get in the future.

Explain copy changes: Because of deadline constraints, many editors shoot first and ask questions later (if at all) when it comes to massaging copy. Of course, making deadline is the top priority, but don’t be shortsighted about it.

It’s not enough just to get the story in the paper; you also want to get the best story possible. If you change copy without explaining why, you’ll create a reservoir of resentment. That contributes to lazy and uninspired writing.

Develop a partnership: If your reporter hates your guts, fix it now. Don’t worry about becoming bosom buddies, but make it unequivocally clear that your professional goals are the same: producing exemplary writing. Give them some face time, take them to lunch and engage in team-building activities that foster a sense of foxhole camaraderie. The best writing comes from reporters who work for editors they can trust.

Become students of the craft of writing: Make a habit of deconstructing stories to develop a consensus of what is good, powerful writing. So what if you fancy Proust and your reporter favors Mad magazine? Share clips from writers you think are outstanding.

And don’t stop with accentuating the positive. A common reporter complaint is that editors “only know what they like when they see it.” It is just as important to dissect work you find flawed and explain why.

Institutionalize excellence: If you’re paper doesn’t already have some type of in-house writing award, start one. Such a program can be limited to your cluster of reporters or expanded newsroom-wide. Cash is always nice — but not always necessary. A free lunch, a day off, a trophy, a certificate or some tangible reward for good writing also codifies the newspaper’s commitment.

Expand horizons: Even if a reporter has developed a specialty, ask, offer, prod, poke or provoke them to try a different beat — if only temporarily. Encourage reporters to attend in-house or off-site writing seminars. Take them to a poetry slam.

Find out if they can audit some writing classes at the local college or university. Offer them a chance to get involved in local literacy programs that may help rekindle their love affair with the written word. There are several midcareer fellowships that can give yeoman reporters the second wind they need to refresh their skills.

Harris, who has been a newspaper reporter for 17 years, covers the Internet and television for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Lifestyle section. He won Lifestyle’s in-house writing competition three times last year. He can be reached at lharris@ajc.com.