When I first started in journalism, personal computers were a new thing. Desktop publishing was literally in its infancy. Stories were hand written and someone else did the typing, putting them in the computer (me, when I first started), and then the editor put it all together before it went to the printer.
Now days, it’s all about the blogs, social media, and videos.
If I wanted to continue writing and sharing real news items (not gossip, fake news, and lies), then I had to do some blogging.
Seven years ago, I decided that making a few pennies writing for someone else wasn’t really worth the hours I spent on the things I wrote…even though I was told I was good at what I did. So, I started my own website – Words, Music, and News (wordsmusicandnews.com) and while I am still making only a few pennies, I choose what I want to write.
It has been seven years and I still feel like there is more that I don’t know than what I do. I just thought of the message my Dad left on his phone, “while there are any number of reasons why we can’t come to the phone, the most likely is that we are on the information superhighway trying not to get run over.” I feel that way quite often.
But, as they say, I soldier on and work to keep sharing news items I think are news worthy while providing the most accurate information I can.
I learned long ago to find at least one piece of information that can’t be found in every other article on the internet.
Your journey from typewriters to digital highways mirrors the great transformations of any era – technology changes, but the core mission remains. Your father’s voicemail wisdom captures it perfectly: we’re all trying not to get run over whilst navigating new territories.
What strikes me most is your commitment to finding that unique piece of information in every story. That’s the real value you bring – not just reporting what everyone else reports, but adding something genuinely worthwhile. Seven years of choosing your own path over quick pennies shows character.
The world needs more people willing to dig deeper for truth rather than settle for the easy story.
Thank you!
I used to laugh every time I heard that message.