A journo's schedule

For the past month, I worked 10 to 10 on a good day. And was told that was because of the holidays. I agree, it's marginally better over the past couple of days. Here's why:

1. Reporter suggests story idea.
2. Honcho approves.
3. Reporter goes on story.
4. Reporter writes story.
5. Reporter SENDS story along with pictures. If not, find random pics on shutterstock.
6. News editor receives story.
7. News editor sends story with instructions to sub editor
8. Sub ed (yours truly is one) edits the story -- even rewrites, at times.
9. Senior editor revises the edited story.
10. Artist makes a page.
11. Page is printed and proofread.
12. Sent to the printing press.

Every thing after step 8 is quick. But do these goons file stories? Nah, they're busy getting stoned over Christmas. So I get to slog.

Ah well, that's the life. More on this later.

Wow ReNu! I can relate.

The work here on staff in Baghdad sounds very similar--although much of what we do tends to be Powerpoint-based (military loves Powerpoint) with pics and bullets rather than copy.

Most days, I'm in by 7:30 and we go home about 8:30 or 9:00 in the evening. Alot of the same type of thing (although your version sounds much more organized): chopping (the going term for editing), rechopping, rewording, forwarding for approval, getting it back with electronic red. Rinse. Repeat.

We did get Christmas off (it was looking iffy for awhile) so that's a plus. Good news is I only have another month or so, then I'm homeward bound.

How bout you? Any perks? Do you get a kick seeing your stuff in print?

Perks? (laughs)

Lets see... my company paid my hospital bills after I had an accident.

I get to review books once in a while.

And I've got 30 bylines by now, and yes, I get a real high seeing my name in print.