How many feature-length stories does a journalist typically work on at one time?

Question

I'm a working journalist for a business and technology website, and I want to know if I'm pushing myself too hard by trying to write and report two feature-length (700-800 word) investigative articles each week.

I'm a working journalist for a business and technology website, and I want to know if I'm pushing myself too hard by trying to write and report two feature-length (700-800 word) investigative articles each week on top of 3-4 200 word news briefs each day.

Answer 1

personally i can only do one at once...when i try to do more my work suffers. But some people can do it.

Answer 2

No you're not pushing yourself too hard. But, check this out. Go to loosechange911.com and tell me what you think after you watch the video in it's entirety. I've gotten some negative responses from some very ignorant people. I know our government is crooked. The CSI are all professional assassins. Look at what they did to John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe. I think they will do anything if the price of fame is right. They really want the entire world to become under a sovereign government. So let them have at it. As for me, I'd rather be living in Russia. Look at what China did less than a month ago. They shot down one of their satelites using a missile similar to the ones we have here in America. Just to show us that they have what 6? We have enough to blow the entire planet up. Tell these3 idiots to watch and observe the size of the pieces of the so called plane that hit the twin towers. You could put them in a laundry hamper. Why did the key players abort travel plans? Why were we helping Ben Laden in an American controlled base hospital? I think we should have a revolution and overthrow this government. Republicans suck. They always have and they always will. Now think about it. 9/11, emergency number 911. I predict that on 7/6/7 the US government will hit us again.

Answer 3

You can do it, but you have to be organized, and have the ability to focus on one thing, then drop it and focus on another, then go back to the first. Unless you're lucky enough to be able to catch all your sources at once and do each article in one sitting, you're going to be juggling.

I often have several assignments going at once. Usually it works out just fine until an editor throws in a last minute ("One of our other writers backed out on this article. We need 1200 words on the changes in agriculture over the last decade in this region. Also include to short business profiles on _______. Due this afternoon at 3.) Or my favorite, the editor that accepted an article three times (I called to makes sure it was okay three times before I archived it) then called me at 11:45 pm two weeks later wanting me to do a complete rewrite by eight am.

The secret is to be organized - and take notes on your computer so you can cut and paste quotes, facts and figures. Seconds count when you're under that kind of pressure.

Happy writing!