3/25 - Deb Berry Summary, Emily Abbate (Amy Lockmiller)

Speaker Deb Berry
Notes by Emily Abbate
Discussion Leader: Amy Lockmiller

Amy was the first person to lead discussion after Deborah Geigis Berry, Freelance travel writer and TV features reporter specializing in travel and families. She opened up her discussion by asking the class about their perspectives on the online articles. Specifically, Lockmiller noted that there were not many negatives listed in her articles about the different travel locations. Lockmiller questioned “If this specific to magazine writing or is this also happening in news writing?” She challenged the class to speak their minds on this aspect of Berry’s job.

Christine Gratton felt that the audience Berry is trying to reach through her style of writing is much different than a news audience. Berry, according to Gratton, is trying to reach moms looking for good vacations for their families, and noted that all readers should take her style with a grain of salt.

Patrick Swidler made an important point and agreed with Gratton’s concepts; He reminded the class that Berry only has 300 words to convey the messages in her articles about the important aspects of each location. He said that it’s more important to tell the audience about the good aspects of each place.

Erin O’Toole combated Swidler’s point, saying that it is important to deliver the facts about the locations she’s reporting on. O’Toole said that there shouldn’t be a reason to bribe your children with candy to go to a certain location. If your kids are bored and complaining, then she thinks that the article needs to address this point, and not the nice bars and restaurants if they aren’t family friendly.

Lockmiller switched gears with her discussion working off of O’Toole’s point, asking the class if her type of journalism serves more of a public relations function than journalism.

Gratton replied that Berry’s family might be different than some others. She said that although her son may like trees, others might like apples. The class found comedy in her points.

Alyssa Carroll says there is a way to go about a freelancing job delivering the necessities of an article while remaining concise and to the point. She said that a helpful thing for Berry could have been to write that her daughter, who is older like a certain location but her younger son did not. This style of writing would give more information to the reader and lean away from the public relations side of travel journalism.

At this point in the conversation, Professor Dufresne pointed out that Berry wears a number of different hats in her line of work, depending on what publication she is writing for. He says that when writing a sponsored piece, she is paid to do it for a travel publication. Yet, when she did the lake story for the courant, it was more realistic. He concludes his interjection by noting that when she's writing for something that’s more journalistic than a "squeaky clean" publication, her travel pieces can be a bit more textured.

Lockmiller took over the discussion by asking what standards professional seminar students would hold travel writers to, with regard to ethics. Lockmiller believes that they are obviously different than other areas of journalism.

Swidler followed up Lockiller’s question by saying standards can be very different for freelancing and travel writing. He says that she's doing the job that they asked her to do. In her line of work, he says, she doesn't have to maintain an unbiased opinion; They just want a sugarcoated appearance of a family having a good time. In his scenario, he uses maple syrup farm as an example.

Lockmiller continues the conversation by asking about the use of the Society of Professional Journalist code of ethics and travel writing. She asked the class if it is necessary to use all of these standards in these pieces, and if it would hinder your writing style.

Swidler says that ultimately journalists might be limiting themselves if they adhere to these standards.

O’Toole agreed with this point, and advised for students to stay away from limiting themselves, as well as use the atmosphere your in to your advantage. She suggested showing pictures of families having fun and enjoying the travel destination.

Gratton chimed in, saying that Family Fun magazine is not on newsstands. She says its subscription based and the families that subscribe will be interested in her personal audience. Gratton continues by saying that normal people aren't flying anywhere for recreation anymore in this economy and understands that it is hard to make a living off of travel writing. Because of this, she thinks that bending the rules sometimes in Berry’s line of work in understandable.

Lockmiller then brought up another important point that initiated some new participants in class discussion. She asked about the concept of freebies in travel and freelance journalism, and accused the class of being desensitized to this ethical dilemma in journalism. Her most notable accusation was asking the class if they were living in a “box with their morals.”

Beren Jones was the first to respond. Jones commented that it depends on the venue, type of travel or food and music writing. “When you're reviewing something you have to go there,” said Jones. “If you don't have the money to do it and they can give it to you for free, then why not. If you're writing about a musician you don't have to pay for them then it makes it easier. I believe there's a different standard for different venues.”

Mike Northup expanded upon Jones’ point, by commenting on the business aspects of journalism. He said that newspapers, magazines and other places have a small amount of money to work with in this economy. He continued by saying that the stories themselves are going to dry up if it is on the reporter to fund it on themselves.

O’Toole commented that it sounds some people, because of the economy, are selling out sometimes. Berry is a freelance writer and needs to pay her bills just like the rest of America.

Lockmiller concluded the discussion by bringing in some of her personal experience. She comments on her family life, where her father is in the corporate world and within his occupation, he is only allowed to accept freebies up to $25. She noted that it was interesting to her that Berry can accept all of these different travel accommodations. Journalists are supposed to, Lockmiller says, hold themselves to such high ethical standards.

The majority of the take-away cards talked about living as a freelancer. Whereas some individuals thought the freelancing was an interesting and exciting way to make a living in the journalism field, others felt as if it was slightly questionable. Where Deb Berry had the opportunity to take different trips as a travel writer, one individual within our class felt it was odd that she was constantly writing pieces with advertising and marketing of different locations in mind. Within class discussion,

Take Away Cards
Amanda Wisuiowski: I was surprised about how freelancers are able to adapt their writing with their interests.

Daniella Henry: I found her information on query letters really helpful.

Kim Romanello: Deb was very energetic and informative about freelance writing. IT was very interesting to hear about how she got into her line of work.

Kate Monohan: Freelancing sounds really good, but the reality is it seems difficult without a spouse with a steady job.

Erin O’Toole: Deb Berry’s job seems very interesting but I do not agree with a lot of what she has to do to get a story. Especially with the New Hampshire story leaving out real life family details, it seems bias in a way.

Patrick Swidler: I thought her advice for networking and maintaining credibility was very helpful. She certainly holds a great perspective on her career and that attitude makes her presentation all the more interesting.

Britton Taylor: I think the most important part of this discussion was how almost every piece she does advertising or marketing in it.

Jesse Grab: The most important information for me was her advice on freelance writing, mostly because it comes from someone who’s seen success there.

Beren Jones: Surviving in the cut throat world of freelance work requires one to be constantly looking for new creative opportunities.

Christine Gratton: It really hit home how many avenues you have to “attack” as a freelancer to make a living - have to be an expert and use your core skills to market yourself.