Mersmann: Honest facts about writing this column
I write a column and so can you!
By Dennis Mersmann (Contact)
Thursday, May 1st, 2008
How did I get this job? What qualifications do I have? Don’t I have anything better to write about? From time to time, readers of the Kansan Opinion page have questions and post them on the UDK Web site. I would like to take this opportunity to answer these queries posed to me and my fellow columnists.
HOW DID I GET THIS JOB?
I wanted it, plain and simple. I filled out the application, answered some questions and submitted a writing sample, which included two pieces. One about why I love Meat Loaf and the other about why Jamie Kennedy needs to find a new line of work.
My application was reviewed by 0 to 3 people, and I was called for an interview that ended up never happening.
At best, three people thought I was a good writer, which isn’t a ringing endorsement. At worst they hired me simply because I wanted the job.
WHAT ARE MY QUALIFICATIONS?
Someone who goes by the handle vladislav asked my fellow columnist Nick Mangiaracina “What are the qualifications for being a UDK writer, really?”
Nick is far more qualified than I. He’s a journalism major. He’s also senior writing for an award winning paper. Chances are good that he will be employed in this field in the near future.
My qualifications are almost nonexistent. I’ve taken (and passed!) several writing courses. I’ve been trained by KU’s finest on sentence structure and word choice. However, there are no journalism classes on my transcript.
This is my second foray into the newspaper world. My first was last year when I reviewed movies for the Kansan. As you can see, it doesn’t take much to get my job.
My main qualification: I wanted the job and took thirty minutes out of my life to ask for it, even though being published means my full, real name runs along with a photo.
DON’T I HAVE ANYTHING BETTER TO WRITE ABOUT?
This has been asked of me and other columnists. Linguo_the_grammar_robot specifically asked me, “Do you have anything better to right [sic] about?” in a post about my plagiarism column. The answer, plain and simple is no.
I am an opinion columnist and my task is simple: write about my opinions, and this is precisely what I do. The topics I discuss are ones that my opinions revolve around. Really, what would be better to write about in an opinion column than issues I take stances on? I’m blasé about steroids in professional sports. It would be irresponsible of me to write about them. Barry Bond’s head could swell to the size of a watermelon for all I care.
A lot of opinion columns revolve around politics, and maybe that’s what the readers of the Kansan are clamoring for. But politics don’t interest me and don’t inspire me to write, so I never addressed them. Are politics more important than cover charges and Roy Williams? Maybe, but politics aren’t the only thing going on in the world. I felt that it was best to leave the elections to people who are passionate about them.
These are my honest responses to these questions. Hopefully they’ve been informative. Keep the comments coming, positive or negative. They are appreciated. Even if you just want to say that I’m not qualified to hold an unpaid position in a free newspaper, I won’t cry … much.
Becoming an opinion columnist for the Kansan is a low-risk, high- reward situation. Thirty minutes for a semester of fame. If you feel that the other columnists and I are doing a less than satisfactory job, then why not pick up an application and show us how it’s done?
Mersmann is a Lawrence senior in creative writing.
Discussion
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I are famous!
Haha...me too!
Wait, does that mean we are the only ones who read the opinion page on a regular basis?
no, I read it too...twice a day.
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