The quote came to mind today when I read the obit of Sarah Snyder, a much beloved and talented editor at the Boston Globe who died Sunday well before her time at the age of 51.
Sarah had tons of spunk as a newly minted reporter working at the Chicago Sun-Times in the early 1980s. But we loved her for it.A perfect example of the enterprise and gumption she applied to her work was when she accompanied a photographer to a press conference being held by Mayor Jane Byrne at the crime-ridden Cabrini-Green housing project.
When the press conference was over, Sarah quietly told the photographer that she would get back to the office by herself. He protested that it was too dangerous for her to stay in the area on her own. But Sarah had other ideas.
As Mayor Byrne was about to enter her limousine, Sarah positioned herself conspicuously where the mayor could see her.
“How are you getting back to the office?” the mayor asked Sarah.
“Oh, I don’t know,” she replied.
“Then, get in the car with me,” said the mayor. “I’ll give you a ride downtown.”
That’s what Sarah did. While they were riding back to the office, Sarah got the big scoop of the day.
Which was her plan all along.
What was the scoop?
ReplyDeleteEveryone starts out in newspapers with spunk. Then he or she quickly realizes that all newspapers really care about is advertising. Plus, you're only as good as your last "amazing scoop." Being a good reporter is just building up a "sources" base. Compiling a list of people who trust you not to screw them over with insider info. It's really not that complicated! That's all there is to it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, anonymous, for that insight of ignorance.
ReplyDeleteSarah was an amazing woman-- great reporter, editor, mom and someone I valued for 30 years as a close friend. She never lost that unbridled enthusiasm, passion and energy she had as a cub reporter, and she was truly one of a kind. And you are right, Alan. She certainly had spunk! The folks at the Boston Globe loved her as much as we did at the Sun-Times, and they did a great job of capturing her essence in her obit. www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2009/06/09/sarah_snyder_
ReplyDeleteAlan, Many thanks for this remembrance. Pat hit the nail on the head in the previous comment. Sarah kept her enthusiasm and drive through some pretty stiff headwinds here in Boston. And it's a lonelier and more sedate newsroom without her.
ReplyDeleteAlan, thanks for your remembrance. Pat hit it on the head in the previous comment as well. Sarah kept up her enthusiasm and drive despite some strong headwinds here in Boston, and she leaves behind a lonelier and more sedate newsroom.
ReplyDeleteIf someone did that today, the Poynter Institute would write five articles about how a writer shouldn't accept anything from a source. Even a ride.
ReplyDeleteThat's the difference between then and now. Today there's too much empty baggage -- pseudoeditors of presentation, Poynter gasbags who know little to nothing, writers with blatant conflicts of interest.
The baggage needs to be cast aside. Today.
I only met Sarah a few times. One of the occasions involved my son, a high school senior, interviewed her about writing for his AP English class. She began the interview by advising him NOT to become a writer. My son assured her he was not interested in that, that he was just going to ask her about her own writing experiences.
ReplyDeleteWhen he declared his college major a few weeks later, it was in English with a concentration in-yes, you guessed- writing! Her love of the written word was catching. She is missed!