I hope that everyone is still enjoying our mass mailer edition that came out this week.It is a product I am really proud of with many interesting and different stories to read. However, most people do not realize how much hard work it is to put one together.
On average, we typically have two days to prepare for a Thursday edition and one day for a Saturday edition. Managing/Sports Editor Joshua Campbell and I try to produce four or five stories for each edition. Publisher Danny O’Fallon also contributes some stories, but that is how a regular newspaper works.
Of course, in the same aspect, the ad department also sells ads within the same basic time frame. Since they strive to sell as many ads as possible, they obviously have their hands full, too. The circulation department also has to work hard and efficiently to ensure the papers are properly assembled and make it to the post office on time.
For a mass mailer edition, everything shifts into overdrive. The editorial department digs deep to try to find a lot of interesting and compelling stories. Regardless of the type of edition, all stories are important, but in a mass mailer, there are a lot more stories to be written. Ad department reps often pull their hair out trying to sell more ads because not everyone advertises in our regular bi-weekly editions, although I personally believe they should.
Production on a normal edition can be crazy, but for a mass mailer, it is completely insane. We have deadlines to meet with our printer in McComb and very limited time to put together such a large edition. Needless to say, all of us put in a lot of long and extra hours so we can bring you a great product.
Now, there is a great flipside to this, especially for me. During these interviews of “out of the box” stories, I have met some individuals who I believe will be my lifelong friends. If you haven’t realized it, Marion County truly has some fascinating people. No, not everyone will be a Walter Payton, but then again, Payton was not like them either.
The stories of strength and hope are inspiring, not only for our readers but also for us. I do many feature stories, and I truly do love getting to know the person I’m interviewing. I am a firm believer that everyone has a story to tell, whether they realize it or not, just like we all have a testimony.
Believe it or not, and I know most of you will not believe it, while I love being out and among people, I’m horrible at starting conversations. If I already know a person, I am more comfortable talking, but it is very hard for me to simply strike up a conversation with a stranger. My husband, Jeff, is totally different. That man can start a conversation with a brick wall, and the wall will likely start talking back to him. It is fascinating to watch how he does this. On the other hand, I would just look stupid standing there trying to talk to the brick wall.
Once I get past the usual, “Hi, how are you?” I just never seem to know in which direction to carry the conversation next. I have heard in times past that some people thought I was a snob or thought I had a superior air about me, but I can assure you, I’m usually struggling with what to say next or how to start a conversation with someone.
That’s one reason I always try to be approachable, because I need help getting the conversation rolling and it makes me step out of my comfort zone. The best part of it all is that once I do, I’m so glad that I end up having those conversations with people.
So if you see me talking to a brick wall and the conversation looks like it’s dying, then by all means, feel free to jump in. Truth be told, I would much rather enjoy a conversation with you than sitting there in that awkward silence.
And for all my new friends, I’m so glad we found each other.
