By Dave Lieber
The Dallas Morning News
City mayors, county leaders, state governors, and presidents are expected to show leadership in times of crisis. But I would argue that now is the time for columnists and bloggers to do the same.
We learned after 9/11 what a difference one great column can make for readers. Remember Leonard Pitts’ masterpiece that ran on Sept. 12?
It’s my job to have something to say.
They pay me to provide words that help make sense of that which troubles the American soul. But in this moment of airless shock when hot tears sting disbelieving eyes, the only thing I can find to say, the only words that seem to fit, must be addressed to the unknown author of this suffering.
You monster. You beast. You unspeakable bastard.
In March, when coronavirus hit the fan, I first went into a mini-panic. What if I could not rise to the occasion? What if the inability to leave my house hindered me?
It was, for me, typical columnist panic. But I worked to gain control of my fears.
As I focused on my new mission, I refused to let my new 8% salary cut distract me.
I altered my Twitter profile to state “wartime columnist.” And I plotted my strategy: write for the readers. But one layer below that, do everything possible to save my job from a layoff. Writing great columns when they are needed most, I hope and pray, will serve as my personal version of the Payroll Protection Program.
Here are my Dave rules to keep going and show leadership in the community. Maybe a few will help you at this important time.
Be appropriately funny, but in a tasteful way. I don’t write a humor column, but whenever I can stick in humor I do it. People who say “too soon” miss the point. Readers need humor more than ever. That’s why I put this first on my list.
Be relatable. When readers see that we are writing what they are thinking and feeling we become their friend.
Put out feelers. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for great stories. If they hear something interesting, train them to let you know.
Trust your instincts. Your instincts brought you this far. Now rev them up and listen more carefully to them. Your muse is here to help you, if you welcome it.
Read a lot for story ideas. I’m clipping many stories out of the four daily newspapers I read every day and filing them for future use. I crave ideas. Searching for them is all I do.
Pay attention to reader mail. I always say I have thousands of assignment editors. They are not shy about sending me stories they want me to write for them.
Answer questions people are asking. So when they do a Google search, you and your story with the answer pops up.
Focus on the emotional story. Look for stories about people, not subjects.
Write a different kind of column. No matter what your genre is, this crisis gives you permission to try something different. Take advantage. I’m a “watchdog columnist” but lately everything, no matter what it is, seems to loosely fit.
Look for the positive. A feel-good story can save the day.
Look for the negative. Don’t be afraid to point out failings and weaknesses. Look for solutions while you’re at it. Readers respond to columns with strong points of view, especially now. Show strength.Provide useful information. As the saying goes, news you can use. More than anything else, that is our primary responsibility.
Get the story behind the story. Example: I knew America’s largest medical mask maker is near my house, and a reader pointed out that the parking lot was empty nights and weekends. Why wasn’t the factory on overdrive? The owner wouldn’t talk to me, but I told his story anyway. My story received an astounding (for me) 480,000 online page views. A week later, the factory was working 24/7. Readers noticed.
Get inspired by your heroes. Pull out books by your favorite writers to help strengthen your writer’s voice.
Last week, my boss was editing my column and stopped to text me: “Excellent lead.” See, before writing my piece, I read a couple of the late Jimmy Breslin’s legendary columns. When I sat down to write I could hear the borough of Queens in my voice. And man, it was a strong voice. (Thanks Jimmy.)
Write every column as if it’s your last. As they say, leave it all out on the field. If not now, when?
The author, Dave Lieber, won the 2019 NSNC column writing contest for large newspapers. Check out his coronavirus columns at DallasNews.com/watchdog.
