Writing for Others, Writing for Ourselves

Jerry Lanson has coached editors and reporters at newspapers ranging from The Christian Science Monitor to The Boston Globe. He contributes regularly to The Monitor's opinion pages. He is a former Deputy City Editor and Peninsula Bureau Chief of the San Jose Mercury News in San Jose, California. He was part of the city-desk staff awarded a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. Lanson is currently associate professor of journalism at Emerson College.

• Chapter 1 Finding a Place —and Space—to ThinkChapter 2 A Little JazzChapter 3 Culling Life's ExperienceChapter 4 Gathering StringChapter 5 The Passive Observer at WorkChapter 6 Finding Fresh StoriesChapter 7 ReconnaissanceChapter 8 Honing the FocusChapter 9 Interviewing for StoryChapter 10 Bring Back the Breed of the DogChapter 11 Six-Word headlines, Ten-Point OutlinesChapter 12 Drafting FastChapter 13 Organizing StoriesChapter 14 No One Gets It Right the First TimeChapter 15 Finding a Niche

Jerry Lanson’s Writing for Others, Writing for Ourselves shows exactly why journalism needs more mentors like him. He reminds us of the need to speak with our true literary and journalistic voice. Students and professional journalists alike need this guidance at a time when media organizations are pressing for the quick hit and the glib phrase. This book is a powerful reminder why we all need a trusted editor – now more than ever.