Sports Writing is Safer

When I pull out a homework assignment, I normally approach it with the assumption that the experience will unfold relatively predictably--especially for something as simple as a story read-through and analysis. However, tonight was the exception to that rule. I read a story written by a classmate in my Fiction Workshop class that was the singular most horrifyingly violent and pornographic piece of writing I have ever read, and the physical details of the protagonist (age, gender, lifestyle) hit all too close to home.
I hate grappling with the dark side of life. Recently branching out of my shell, I watched the movies "Fight Club" and "Boondock Saints." Both contained significantly more violence and more sinister questions of existence than I usually care to consider. However, by closing my eyes during the worst parts and looking at other aspects of the film (plot, characterization, idea), I was able to maybe even enjoy the movies. When reading, I can't bock out offensive elements so easily. And what makes it harder to swallow is that I know there are real life counterparts to this material. As much as I don't want to admit it, evil exists and has pervaded our society.
I'm a journalist, but maybe that's just make believe. I love listening to people's stories and hearing about their individual passions, but as soon as something gets messy, I prefer to be far away. Maybe that's why I try to stick to more uplifting feature writing or "stick-to-the-facts" news reports. Most recently, I've started dabbling in sports writing--definitely a challenge, but as far as my experience goes, a clean one. Watch a game, look at the stats, write a story. Done.
I watch athletic events (regardless of sport) like I go through life, emotionally interacting with each play--be it a cheer or a whimper--as the game unfolds. The role of the careful observer, waiting until the final buzzer to draw conclusions, does not readily attach itself to my personality, though for a time, I can fulfill almost any role.
Of course, I hate losing, but what makes me catch my breath even more is when a player gets hurt. Anytime the audience is subjected to that artificial silence inflected on a playing field or court, my heart stops for a second. Something went wrong. If it were possible, in games or in life, I'd like to avoid these moments all together. I'd like to keep pretending that good prevails, that people don't try to hurt each other, that the right thing will always happen, and that those who train hard won't sustain injuries in the game.
My outlook might be described as "a naive optimism clouded by willful ignorance of reality." Ultimately, though, I wonder where I should draw the line: what parts of life ARE essential to informed living and which can continue to be overlooked for personal protection?

On Futurizing

On a drizzly November morning, I pulled myself out of bed at 6:30 and hit the road by 7:30 am, headed to Wilsonville for another journalism conference. Unfortunately, my university does not provide a Journalism degree. Therefore, I am constantly trying to find other ways to educate the paper's staff. And although early, this morning's offering definitely proved useful.
Tim Harrower's "Futurizing your Newpaper" presentation reinforced some ideas my managing editor and I had been tossing around earlier this week as well as sparked creative solutions for other problems our paper's been facing lately.
Apparently, 15" (or longer) stories seldom get read, and readers living in a constantly changing world are searching for more manageable chunks of information. Even when you're only dealing with an 8-page weekly college publication, catering to the readers should be a key consideration--at least in my opinion.
However, our low budget and lack of on-campus support often prove frustrating. I know that I thrive off of challenges, and when people only provide positive feedback, it's hard to know what to improve. On the other hand, those times that I do hear complaints, I find it hard to locate answers.
But this, a time of responsibility and wondering, is, like many others, only a season in life. I'm thankful for the resources I do have, and I'm looking forward to where the paper will go in the next 7 months. Hopefully, into the future.