https://social.shorthand.com/tjpyche/n2HZmqnzcx/students-serve-as-poll-workers-on-election-day-gain-insight
This story on the junk food epidemic of today's teenage population proved challenging. I conducted online research and interviewed professionals as well as a student who changed his eating habits after deciding to lose weight. Not only was the story challenging to write, but the photo was an interesting one to take. (My friend loved being covered in week-old garbage)
This was the first deadline of the year and so there are always some difficulties this early on because not everything is worked out yet for design. Since this was before we finalized the profile design, I spent a lot of time trying to find a time to go take pictures of Clay at his house. Also, I had to focus on getting good interviews and building a relationship with my subject to write personable body copy.
This was my second profile of the year and so I had learned from experience the importance of getting good interviews. I strove to build a relationship with my subject to get the best quotes and the most insight into her life. The challenge with writing profiles is to accurately capture your subjects personality and I believe with some effort, I was able to represent Sydney’s quirky attitude.
Now on my third profile, the challenge came with including emotion in the story. My first draft was accurate and thorough but was lacking that emotion to make it great. With some prodding I coaxed out a good quote that contained feeling and that changed the whole feel of the story. Also, this copy shows a detailed timeline of how she became a makeup artist.