Let’s be clear: I don’t hate talking, but I am deathly scared of it. So scared that I never talked to any of my sources in person (actually, that’s false because when desperate times call for desperate measures, I do have to talk to people to get quotes :[ ) or any of the Current staff. This is my guide for all those introverts who want to get into journalism but are too scared of talking (I lied. It’s not a guide. I don’t think it even qualifies as a “guide.”). 

Before writing an article, you have to get all the information first. So, what does a journalist who’s utterly terrified of talking do? Find who you want to talk to and get their contact information (as in, I ask Mr. Lee to give me everyone’s emails). After getting their contact – and assuming you already know what questions you’re going to ask – shoot them an email and make sure to specify that you want to interview them through email (That’s the most important part!).

Now as the anxiety of emailing a person subsides, we wait for a response. Wait for a response. Waiting. For. A. Response. Downsides of emailing: not everyone sees your email the first time. So, get used to typing every other day and feeling like a huge nuisance for being pushy. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and have all the information and quotes you need in a week OR you’ll get unlucky and wait about a month to even start your article (which is why articles from me are like a month apart).

As someone who doesn’t want to be seen, I lean towards news more than editorials and/or opinion stories. Even now as I’m writing this, I’m WAYYYYYY out of my comfort zone! How does someone write an opinion-based article? It feels like I’m exposing myself, a deer in headlights, blood turning cold, shaking like a leaf, the daylight is scared out of me. Yeahhhh…after this I’m definitely sticking to news.

And for those who wonder how I communicate to the rest of the Current staff. I don’t. They’ll have to come to me for interactions, I’m afraid (And sorry. So terribly sorry). Ironically, I stayed in journalism to improve my social skills. But yeah, if you’re ever interested in journalism but don’t have the courage to talk to people, send them an email and maybe wait a ridiculous amount of time for a reply.