“Writers, a notebook for a journalist is like a wheel is for a potter or a skateboard is for Shaun White. It’s what you use to get your work done.” A writer’s notebook is where you jot the notes of what you see, of ideas for newscasts, of the questions you have when you begin to investigate. You will record interviews, sketch scenes, fast draft newscasts. “You know, every writer has a place where he or she records thoughts and ideas.” Here’s what Jay-Z says about the binder he had when he was in school… “Everywhere I went I’d write. If I was crossing a street with my friends and a rhyme came to me, I’d break out my binder, spread it on a mailbox or lamp post and write the rhyme before I crossed the street.”

Jay-Z observers his surroundings in his everyday life.

“Jay-z used his notebook to capture ideas for lyrics, because he was writing songs. You’ll want to capture news stories in your notebook. Keep it with you, so you’ll be ready at any time to capture what you notice.” “Today I want to teach you that journalists notice small life dramas and try to capture the who, what, where, when, why/how of those dramas so they can turn small moments into newscasts.” “You all wouldn’t believe what happened yesterday. When I was walking out of Fred Meyer, I saw a teenager lean his bike against the trashcan and dash over to the only empty parking spot near the front of the store entrance. He stood in the middle of the spot, waving his arms to keep cars out that were trying to park. I thought he was crazy, the nerve of him! Other drivers were mad and I heard one yell back at the kid. But then I saw-and others, too, saw what he was up to. Up the road, there was a little old lady, standing by her car, wringing her hands in worry. She’d clearly been unable to park, she’d given up and was clearly fretting. The boy called to her---’Ma’am! Ma’am!’ Then he gestured her over and helped her Park in the empty space. The people saw what the teen did and shook his hand, I did also. This stayed with me and is now etched in my mind. What’s the who, what, where, when, why/how of this event? Share.