(Part 2) Best products from r/Journalism

I quite enjoyed War Reporting For Cowards

You can either start working for a wire or large organisation that has correspondents and get sent abroad, or go abroad and get work for an organisation once you're out there. A language would help, or a regional specialisation at best.

I had a brief chat with Robert Fisk before I moved to the Middle East and it gave me a couple of good pointers. Try getting in touch with some journos you admire, give them a call, see if they can give you any tips.

There are several annual collections published as books. One of my favorites is the Best American series

• Magazine Writing http://www.barnesandnoble.com/mobile/w/the-best-american-magazine-writing-2016-sid-holt/1123830173?ean=9780231181556&st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Core+Shopping+Books_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP62465
  
• Sports Writing (There's a lot to be learned about writing from these folks even if sports will not be your friend's focus.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01912OYOU/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
  
• Science and Nature Writing https://www.amazon.com/Best-American-Science-Nature-Writing/dp/B01L9AJKYG
  
• Travel writing https://www.hmhco.com/at-home/featured-shops/popular-series/best-american-series/ba-travel
  
• Crime reporting https://www.amazon.com/Best-American-Crime-Reporting-2009/dp/0061490849
  
• Infographics (This is a booming sector of journalism with some of the best job prospects and best pay. These skills also open up the door to stories others won't see) https://www.hmhco.com/at-home/featured-shops/popular-series/best-american-series/ba-infographics
  
  Other journalism-related books that you might consider:
  
• Boys on the Bus, a must-read first person account of journalists' lives on the presidential campaign trail https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D5BFDKI/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
  
• The New York Review Abroad: 50 years of International reporting https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LNDO2E/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
  -Journalism's Roving Eye, a history of foreign reporting https://www.amazon.com/Journalisms-Roving-Eye-American-Reporting/dp/0807143596
  
• The New New Journalism https://www.amazon.com/New-Journalism-Conversations-Americas-Nonfiction/dp/140003356X
  
• Sex Drugs and Cocoa Puffs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FC0U30/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
  
• The Investigative Reporter's Handbook https://www.amazon.com/Investigative-Reporters-Handbook-Documents-Techniques/dp/031258997
  
• Precision Journalism https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Journalism-Reporters-Introduction-Science/dp/0742510883
  
• The Associated Press Guide to Newswriting http://www.barnesandnoble.com/mobile/p/the-associated-press-guide-to-news-writing-rene-j-cappon/1122972240/2675698122266?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Marketplace+Shopping+Textbooks_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP20449&k_clickid=3x20449

Respirator or other appropriate mask would be a good idea. A good pair of boots for the environment, extra water in your trunk, extra clothes (including a rain jacket/windbreaker) and definitely anything a local fire department or emergency crews recommend.

Spare rechargeable batteries like this one also are a lifesaver in the field https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerCore-Lipstick-Sized-Generation-Batteries/dp/B005X1Y7I2.

In the late 1980s, TV broadcaster Linda Ellerbee wrote a GREAT book about being a woman working in the world of journalism. Some of the information may be a bit dated (though still relevant), but the book overall is fantastically written and quite funny. Your sister should definitely check it out:

https://www.amazon.com/So-Goes-Linda-Ellerbee/dp/0399130470/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549210674&sr=8-1&keywords=linda+and+so+it+goes

Umm, i can't answer your question directly but it might be worth while checking out Stacy Percils Pearsall, books specifically this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Photojournalists-Field-Guide-trenches-photographer/dp/0321896610

Where she talks about what you're planning on doing.

Good luck.

There are a number of automated transcription engines. I use Temi.com. It does a good job and only charges 10 cents per minute.

Get this microphone or this type of microphone. You put it in ear, and headphones over it. It does a great job. Use a voice recorder with a USB connection.

You upload your recording to Temi. It takes about 15 minutes for it turn it into a transcript. The recording is synched to the transcript, so you can quickly read the interview, go to the quotes you want, double check (you just click on the place you want to listen to the voice) and you are good to go.

Temi may have phone app as well, but I've never used it.

You can also take a youtube video link, put it in a temi and it will give you a transcript.

The accuracy is very good.

I recommend you get your hands on Telling True Stories. This is an anthology of hands-on/how-to essays written by leading literary journalists. It had sections on how to do research, get close to your sources so you can tell their story truthfully, how to go about writing in the literary style.


Telling True Stories

Whether anyone is being taken advantage of is not at all the right way to think about this. They will only give you more money if they thought you could get a better offer elsewhere and they need the stability. You will only be able to get more money from them if you can demonstrate that.

Read this book: Negotiating Your Salary: How To Make $1000 a Minute, it's awesome.

I use these reporter's pads and fold them, if that makes sense, so the sheets I'm writing on rest against the back of the pad. It gives me a little extra pressure to write on. Beyond that, you just get used to it and you'll adjust to which position works best.

Transcribing — I always record interviews, but I also try to write down direct quotes as well, to an extent. It would be impossible for me to get down literally everything, but I've learned to know when a quote is said that I'll want to include in the story. I also write down facts I'll paraphrase, details, and anything a recorder won't pick up (surroundings, someone's reaction when they're speaking, etc.) Suggestion: You could learn shorthand, which would help with speed when writing down your notes.

Well, the obvious answer would be to read this:

Elements of Style

But Stephen King's On Writing is well respected (I'm reading it now, and it's told in a narrative. It doesn't feel like taking your medicine, if you're worried about getting bored.)

If you're looking for examples of quality writing that translate well into journalism, anything by Hemingway would be a good investment.

Learn shorthand early.

I did a BA (hons) degree in journalism and we had to learn shorthand in the first year. If we didn't have it at 80wpm or better we weren't allowed to start the second year.

This is the book to get - https://www.amazon.com/Teeline-Fast-Ann-Dix/dp/0435453521

Teeline is much easier to learn than Pittman's http://www.amazon.com/Teeline-Fast-Ann-Dix/dp/0435453521/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1/175-8508749-8335662?ie=UTF8&refRID=1AGY0S4VVTHHG8B4BKCS