Learning from Momo Chang

Rushing into the Berkeley Library last Sunday afternoon in hopes of arriving at the meeting before the guest speaker and Bay Area journalist, Momo Chang, was to begin her presentation, I wasn't expecting to learn anything that I hadn't already known. However, that was a false assumption which I quickly realized once I entered the Library's meeting room, and listened to Momo speak about her experiences in the journalism profession.


Momo Chang shared with us her tips on becoming a better journalist which ranged from interviewing techniques to realizing the best way to overcome writer's block, a serious pain in the butt for most writers. When it comes to Question&Answer(a.k.a. Q&A)-type interviews, Momo advised us to use tape recorders, then transcribe the information onto the computer. However, Momo also suggested that when given the opportunity, a writer should take hand-notes because it grants them the opportunity to filter out the important from the unimportant facts during the interview. As far as handling writer's block goes, Momo explained that deadlines really help her to just push through it which is very understandable as well as demonstrates how hectic the journalism business can be.

Another helpful tool in becoming a more sought-after journalist is using our own personal perspectives on issues because it brings a different side to a popular story or issue. For example, Momo's use of her Asian-American background to explore that side of the ethnic spectrum has brought many interesting articles for her to publicize with the rest of the Bay Area. This knowledge definitly clicked in the minds of most of the other Green News Editorial Board because environmental perspectives on topics is a rare find in journalists these days, and so opens the opportunity for our voices to not only be heard, but sought-after as well.


Unfortunately, there was something that bothered me about the idea of writing for a newspaper as an environmental columnist. How am I being environmental working in a business that kills so many trees? Because many newspapers are going out of business due to the economic circumstances, the papers that are still running today are thinking little of how to be more green. I plan on trying to get into contact with an editor of a local newspaper to ask them questions on why they don't use recycled paper to produce their work or if they ever plan to. In any case, it was a true honor having Momo Chang take the time from her busy schedule as a free lance writer to speak with us about her profession as she inspired us with not only her amazing work, but with her wisdom of the journalism world.

For a list of Momo Chang's incredible articles, go to:
http://labs.daylife.com/journalist/momo_chang

Peace&Love, Everyone.
Dr. Green T