:: everyday journalism ::

I spent a lot of time brainstorming, researching and brainstorming some more about this here blog, wanting to offer something different from all the other quality journo blogs on the Internet. So much good stuff is out there, and it’s hard to say anything new. But in journalism, it’s your job to find the uncovered angles, the fresh way of storytelling, the observances that pass by without pause, the information you need that’s hopelessly buried in the information you don’t.

My mind’s performance skills are pitch perfect at around 2 a.m., especially on nights when I have any amount of post-sundown caffeine in my system. So on one of these particular nights, my eyes flipped open at exactly that time, my brain twitched, and *SPLAT!* Out popped an idea.

I would write about everyday journalism.

My brain twiched again, because frankly that’s a boring idea in itself. Just the words “everyday journalism” sound so bland and average, so *THUMP!* Out spilled some more ideas.

I could illustrate how slices of everyday life can be observed through the eyes of journalism — that is, to flesh out color and information to capture the beauty, usefulness and importance of these moments.

*SCHPLOOSH!*

I would chronicle my own humble attempts to seize everyday opportunities to become a better journalist.

*KERPLUNK!*

I would write about the everyday circumstances in which people commit “random acts of journalism.” This is not just another “citizen journalism” ploy here, although that movement certainly has a part in the conversation. This is more about the level of journalism a woman in Des Moines employs when trying to buy a new car.

*KAPLOWIEZOWIESPLOPP!*

I would outline what it means to dig deeper, harder, better, faster, stronger, through the “average everyday journalism” level to the “extraordinary everyday journalism” level. Because here’s the real confession: I’m nowhere near the extraordinary level. Not even close.

But I’m inviting you along on my journey.

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