The cool thing about what I do now

What I like about my new job?

 

I can walk up to anybody I want and ask them any question I want: Why did you vote 'no' on that proposition? Did you hide any money? Are the police helping you? (I've never been afraid to ask anybody anything and this new writing job at the Star-Telegram is right up my alley).

 

I get paid to schmooze (sometimes with real famous people) and then to write about what I squeezed out of my schmoozing. There is nothing like a conversation over drinks with a councilman that leads to a story.

 

I get my name in the paper.

 

I work days, mostly. I don't have to lift anything heavier than a stapler.

 

The more you write, the more of a following you get. I won't have nearly the following I had in the 1990s, when I covered the Cowboys, wrote a column and was on a weekly radio show. But hey, writing about government is sure to bring out political wonk fans.

 

My latest story: How the City of Arlington is dealing with its homeless population.

 

What I miss about my old job as an editor?

 

One thing. As an editor, you get to judge the works of others, and if their work needs help, you suggest ways the story can be better. If the story does not turn out great, the person who is ultimately judged is the writer. But as a writer, everything you do is subject to second-guessing. Write it stronger. Start it differently. Use a better quote. Talk to more sources.

If you don't have thick skin as a writer, then this isn't the job for you. (Good thing my skin is thick as an elephant's). Still, there are days when I'm a little sensitive, when the slightest frown by an editor reading my story can have me questioning my own confidence. But those days are rare. I think I'm a good writer and won't be undone by some editor who wishes I would have written "said" instead of "says"