Comments on: 09.16.09 http://jimmacmillan.net/2009/09/16/09-15-09/ Pulitzer-winning multimedia journalist. Teaching at NYU, advising warnewsradio.org at Swarthmore, leading Phiji.org at Temple U., and consulting for WebbMedia. Sat, 22 May 2010 20:51:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Jim MacMillan http://jimmacmillan.net/2009/09/16/09-15-09/comment-page-1/#comment-1025 Jim MacMillan Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:51:48 +0000 http://jimmacmillan.com/?p=42#comment-1025 Thanks for your support. I think I have spread myself a little too thinly these days, which is part of a common cycle for me. A more limited portfolio will come back, but less prominently, to leave room for some more rcent endeavors. Thanks for your support. I think I have spread myself a little too thinly these days, which is part of a common cycle for me. A more limited portfolio will come back, but less prominently, to leave room for some more rcent endeavors.

]]> By: Carmen Sisson http://jimmacmillan.net/2009/09/16/09-15-09/comment-page-1/#comment-1024 Carmen Sisson Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:24:25 +0000 http://jimmacmillan.com/?p=42#comment-1024 You are perhaps being too hard on yourself. I wonder if it's possible for any of us to adequately wear this sudden glut of hats -- we only have one head. That sounds trite, but it's bothering me a lot lately. I'm 36, but I began working for newspapers when I was 14. I feel like a dinosaur. I'm a tech geek, love it all, but don't know how to create an effective, manageable workflow from it all. As I began my comment here, I hesitated over the "website" box. I settled on my portfolio site, but it's in dire need of a redesign which I'm procrastinating because it's difficult. I've taught myself html and flash out of necessity. It doesn't mean I'm good at it. Over the past few weeks, I've taken a more proactive approach to my career as a freelancer, and already, I'm overwhelmed. I have Twitter, LinkedIn, a Visual CV, Facebook, the aforementioned "professional" site, and a languishing photoblog. I make QuickTime slideshows, Flip Mino iMovies, and audio recordings. I sleep with my BlackBerry. I wake up to nearly 1,000 articles in my RSS reader. I'm trying to be an active participant in SPJ, NPPA, Wired Journalist, and a half-dozen other networking communities. And oh yeah, I write. I'm supposed to be writing this very moment. I have a major story. It's a good one. And even as I transcribe my notes, I wonder if I should tweet a nifty quote as a teaser, post a few images to my blog, or pitch a broader, four-part multimedia series. Your Nieman essay inspired me to try harder, but at the end of the day, I worry: Is this making me a better writer? Is it earning money? Should I care if it earns money? Am I imparting anything of value? What can I give to the world? How can I be better? How can I slow down? Am I doing enough? It's an exciting time, but it's also very, very stressful, and I admire you for your efforts. I hope sifting through your experiences will help as I struggle to redefine who I am as a journalist. Thank you for all you do, even when you think it's not enough. You are perhaps being too hard on yourself. I wonder if it’s possible for any of us to adequately wear this sudden glut of hats — we only have one head. That sounds trite, but it’s bothering me a lot lately.

I’m 36, but I began working for newspapers when I was 14. I feel like a dinosaur. I’m a tech geek, love it all, but don’t know how to create an effective, manageable workflow from it all.

As I began my comment here, I hesitated over the “website” box. I settled on my portfolio site, but it’s in dire need of a redesign which I’m procrastinating because it’s difficult. I’ve taught myself html and flash out of necessity. It doesn’t mean I’m good at it.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve taken a more proactive approach to my career as a freelancer, and already, I’m overwhelmed. I have Twitter, LinkedIn, a Visual CV, Facebook, the aforementioned “professional” site, and a languishing photoblog. I make QuickTime slideshows, Flip Mino iMovies, and audio recordings. I sleep with my BlackBerry. I wake up to nearly 1,000 articles in my RSS reader. I’m trying to be an active participant in SPJ, NPPA, Wired Journalist, and a half-dozen other networking communities.

And oh yeah, I write. I’m supposed to be writing this very moment. I have a major story. It’s a good one. And even as I transcribe my notes, I wonder if I should tweet a nifty quote as a teaser, post a few images to my blog, or pitch a broader, four-part multimedia series.

Your Nieman essay inspired me to try harder, but at the end of the day, I worry: Is this making me a better writer? Is it earning money? Should I care if it earns money? Am I imparting anything of value? What can I give to the world? How can I be better? How can I slow down? Am I doing enough?

It’s an exciting time, but it’s also very, very stressful, and I admire you for your efforts. I hope sifting through your experiences will help as I struggle to redefine who I am as a journalist.

Thank you for all you do, even when you think it’s not enough.

]]> By: Chris Cummins http://jimmacmillan.net/2009/09/16/09-15-09/comment-page-1/#comment-1023 Chris Cummins Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:24:05 +0000 http://jimmacmillan.com/?p=42#comment-1023 We'll stay tuned Jim. If we waited for impeccable knowledge from our teachers there wouldn't be much learning going on. Bring back the photojournalism portfolio! We’ll stay tuned Jim. If we waited for impeccable knowledge from our teachers there wouldn’t be much learning going on. Bring back the photojournalism portfolio!

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