A frequently-asked
query :
I used to be a personal blogger but quit because this so-called "open diary" of mine started to go around in circles on self-absorbent indulgent musings. However, my pieces took a turn for the better when I started working as a professional journalist over the past 6 months, writing exclusively on assignments. Since I shifted the focus of my writing to things other than myself, I’ve written superb pieces that I’m actually proud of.
Because of this, I’m considering making a new blog again, perhaps to post some of my works that got published (or translated versions of them), some sort of "behind the scenes" about interesting facts and experiences in the reportage that didn’t quite make it to the magazine, and other subject matters that I’m genuinely interested in but cannot be published in the magazine for positioning reasons.
In the magazine I’ve worked for, my stories have mostly been profiles of people (somehow I have the inclination to go for artists and designers) and reportages on the performing arts. Lately I’ve also been writing about the music scene, hobbies with an artistic edge, and some culinary arts. Despite this artsy tendency, my real reason for pursuing journalism is because I want to delve into the local culture and raise the current issues around it. Other things I care about include justice, the environment and sustainable development. Most of the people I interview somehow help me understand the bigger issues in society better, and I do myself proud when I share what I’ve learnt with people and hopefully inspire my readers to make the world a better place.
My editor tells me that I should "go out of my comfort zone" and attempt to write stories that are different from the ones I’m inclined to pitch. But what I’ve observed in the industry, most journalists who gain huge followings and have their views highly valued by the public usually specialize. So I’m a little lost here.
This leads me to my two questions:
1. When I make my personal blog, should I stick to the subject matter I write best in (like the big journalists I’ve observed) or diversify (like my editor advised me to)? Any new angles that might be worth considering, or journalists I should look to for inspiration?Another thing to consider is that as much as I passionately love journalism, I’d like to think that I won’t be spending my life simply watching other people’s lives happen and reporting after it… someday I want to be the person doing those things I spend my life reporting.
2. What kind of a look should I go for my new blog? I’ve been looking up some templates at http://www.instantshift.com/2009/03/09/120-best-free-blogger-templates-around/ and would appreciate it if you could point me to some potential ones. Please explain why that particular template might suit my blog and what kind of a look and feel it would give. Otherwise, links to other great free templates are also welcome.
Since I haven’t made my mind on the blog host I want to use, I’m open for suggestions. I’ve used Blogger from Google in the past and found it to be OK, but am wondering if there might be better options out there.
Thanks
I forgot to name a target audience! My magazine is a lifestyle magazine focused on one of the more Bohemian districts in my city, targets readers between ages 25-45 in the upper middle socioeconomic bracket, typically working as young urban professionals or taking care of young families.So yeah, I guess I want to appeal to a similar target audience as an individual journalist, although I could use lowering the age range to start from, say, 18.
I want my audience to identify me as an intelligent journalist who knows and cares about a lot of important social issues, but is able to creatively package these into actionable bite size pieces. I DON’T want to be some kind of "feel good" inspirational writer; if anything I want to have the boldness to address controversial issues in a way that opens people’s minds to progressivity and the courage to explore new possibilities. I’m not a naturally funny writer, but when I do use humor I tend to be sarcastic. Although I’d like to learn to use
