Don’t let pursuit of ‘shiny things’ diminish reporting

All journalists can look back decades or even just a few months to see examples of the “shiny things” that distract us from our...

A salute to those who wave the editorial banner

Last summer’s Grassroots Editor still sits in my stack of journalism publications. The edition announced the Golden Quill winners in annual competition...

Look in a mirror to find your best editor

In an era of constant cutbacks, it can be difficult for newspaper reporters to get good editing. Many experienced editors have fled or been forced...

Like mac ’n’ cheese, papers due for resurgence

Jim Stasiowski Writing Writing coach Jim Stasiowski welcomes your questions or comments. Call him at (775) 354-2872 or write to: 2499 Ivory Ann Drive Sparks, Nev. 89436.Maybe I was just...
Jim Stasiowski, writing coach

Slow-learner, brick-by-brick approach to collecting facts

Jim Stasiowski, writing Writing coach Jim Stasiowski welcomes your questions or comments. Call him at (775) 354-2872 or write to: 2499 Ivory Ann Drive Sparks, NV 89436.It took 12...

Grow your coverage of agriculture with these helpful tips

Depending on where you live and work as a journalist, there are two basic levels of importance when it comes to coverage of the...
Jim Stasiowski, writing coach

Drive straight to the story

Jim Stasiowski, writing Writing coach Jim Stasiowski welcomes your questions or comments. Call him at (775) 354-2872 or write to: 2499 Ivory Ann Drive Sparks, NV 89436.Boredom alert: Much...
Jim Stasiowski, writing coach

Questioning why the Times is chucking tradition for change

Jim Stasiowski Writing Writing coach Jim Stasiowski welcomes your questions or comments. Call him at (775) 354-2872 or write to: 2499 Ivory Ann Drive Sparks, Nev. 89436.On the same morning...

“Hey you: Get the heck out of the office!”

In the Internet age where information is easy to get, it may seem almost quaint to seek out first-hand, up-close, eyes-on experiential reporting opportunities. With...

How a reporter can avoid being laid off

Bart Pfankuch Better Writing with Bart Bart Pfankuch, an investigative reporter for South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit public-service news agency online at sdnewswatch.org, will offer...