The interview with Stephanie Powell Watts, the author of "Lady in the Lake", is a fascinating conversation about journalism, writing, and the world of newsrooms past and present. Here are some key takeaways from the interview:
1. **Watts' experience as a journalist**: Watts spent 20 years as a journalist, working for three newspapers in San Antonio, Texas, and Baltimore, Maryland. She covers politics, profiles, and features.
2. **The importance of storytelling**: Watts emphasizes that every story has a person behind it, and if you take the time to talk to people, you can find interesting stories. She advocates for reporting on everyday people's lives, rather than just covering politics or celebrities.
3. **No sympathy for the "Shitty Men in Media" list**: When asked about the prevalence of sexism in newsrooms, Watts is refreshingly blunt: she doesn't have nostalgia for a different time and acknowledges that there was a problem with perceived favoritism. She believes people should be able to flirt and smile at each other without being objectified.
4. **The influence of her father's column**: Watts' dad wrote a column about his own death in 1984, which became the top story for the Associated Press. This experience influenced her writing style and approach to storytelling.
5. **Crafting a page-turner**: Watts explains that she structured "Lady in the Lake" using the hand-off method, where each chapter shifts between two perspectives. This technique propels the reader through the book while maintaining character integrity.
6. **The evolution of journalism**: Watts acknowledges that newsrooms have changed over time, but notes that some aspects remain the same (e.g., gossip and politics). She believes that reporting on ordinary people's lives is more interesting than covering celebrities or politicians.
7. **Personal connection to the congresswoman**: The congresswoman who inspired one of the characters in "Lady in the Lake" was a newspaper woman herself, which Watts finds fascinating.
Overall, the interview offers insightful perspectives on journalism, storytelling, and the complexities of reporting on everyday people's lives.
1. **Watts' experience as a journalist**: Watts spent 20 years as a journalist, working for three newspapers in San Antonio, Texas, and Baltimore, Maryland. She covers politics, profiles, and features.
2. **The importance of storytelling**: Watts emphasizes that every story has a person behind it, and if you take the time to talk to people, you can find interesting stories. She advocates for reporting on everyday people's lives, rather than just covering politics or celebrities.
3. **No sympathy for the "Shitty Men in Media" list**: When asked about the prevalence of sexism in newsrooms, Watts is refreshingly blunt: she doesn't have nostalgia for a different time and acknowledges that there was a problem with perceived favoritism. She believes people should be able to flirt and smile at each other without being objectified.
4. **The influence of her father's column**: Watts' dad wrote a column about his own death in 1984, which became the top story for the Associated Press. This experience influenced her writing style and approach to storytelling.
5. **Crafting a page-turner**: Watts explains that she structured "Lady in the Lake" using the hand-off method, where each chapter shifts between two perspectives. This technique propels the reader through the book while maintaining character integrity.
6. **The evolution of journalism**: Watts acknowledges that newsrooms have changed over time, but notes that some aspects remain the same (e.g., gossip and politics). She believes that reporting on ordinary people's lives is more interesting than covering celebrities or politicians.
7. **Personal connection to the congresswoman**: The congresswoman who inspired one of the characters in "Lady in the Lake" was a newspaper woman herself, which Watts finds fascinating.
Overall, the interview offers insightful perspectives on journalism, storytelling, and the complexities of reporting on everyday people's lives.
? I mean, it's great that she's got a solid 20 years under her belt and all. But don't get me wrong, sexism in newsrooms still totally exists – I think Watts is spot on when she says we should be able to flirt without being objectified.
Or was that just a provocative statement? Either way, it's clear that Watts isn't afraid to speak her mind.
I think that's so important, especially in a world where everyone's just trying to get by and not be noticed anymore. And you know what really resonated with me was when she talked about how her dad's column influenced her writing style - it made me realize my own parents' experiences have shaped me into the person I am today 
We need more women like that in positions of power, you know? And I'm all for people being able to flirt and smile without being objectified - that's just basic human decency 
. Her experience as a journalist is totally relatable & her passion for telling stories about everyday people's lives is so inspiring! 
The way she talks about not being sympathetic to the "Shitty Men in Media" list is totally refreshing - we need more women who call out sexism in the industry 
What I love most about this interview is how Watts' personal experiences (like her dad's column) influence her writing style & approach to storytelling 
. It's like she's taking journalism back to its roots - focusing on the people behind the stories, rather than just covering politics or celebs 
.
She's not giving any brownie points to those who want us to pretend that history never happened...and honestly I'm so here for her 
The way she talks about storytelling, though? So inspiring! It's like, people are more interesting than just politics or celebrities. You know? 
her approach to crafting a page-turner is so smart using those hand-off chapters, makes total sense why her book's doing well 
and i love how she's all about respecting women in media, no more objectifying or sh*tty behavior 
. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good page-turner? 
The hand-off method she used in "Lady in the Lake" is straight fire 
. On a serious note, though, Watts' message about reporting on everyday people's lives being more interesting than covering politics or celebrities gets me 
.
I love how she calls out sexism in the media too, we need more people like her speaking truth to power 
, it's like she's taking you through the journey of storytelling itself 
. And I'm loving how refreshingly honest she is about sexism in newsrooms - no nostalgia for a different time or sympathy for the "Shitty Men" list 
!
and also her writing style is so inspiring 
. It's about time we stopped making excuses for the past and started doing some actual reporting 
, gotta respect that