Punctilious (punk-tilly-ous)
Dictionary meaning:
A fine point, particular. Strictness or exactness in the observance of formalities or amenities.
Jentionary meaning:
Cold toes and a red paper clip are what caused the urge to write tonight. The paper clip was used to open my lock box, and the cold toes? Well I can only speculate the reasoning to be poor circulation. Not only are cold toes obviously cold, but they are more annoying in my experience than anything else I can imagine. I am the kind of person that can have three blankets, two pair of socks, a dog resting on my feet and still have freezing toes. I don't know what kind of sick joke bad circulation is, but it definitely needs to stop. Pun not intended.
I don't know where the urge to write really came from, I'll admit it. But I do know that that in writing about cold toes, it has ignited a spark.
I am reading the second edition of, "America's Best Newspaper Writing" and learning the craft of detail. The only reason I believe that I am unable to grasp using more detail and being completely engulfed in something is because I write for a weekly college newspaper. Weekly does not leave much to the imagination when, to be timely, one must write about an event that has yet to happen.
While I like the ability to be able to set the scene for something yet to come, while reading "America's Best Newspaper Writing" I cannot help but realize, being able to be present and capture something while it is happening is much more potent than describing it before it has come to life.
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| The photographer is observing her surroundings, punctilious about the subject she is capturing |
At least with profile pieces I am able to take a small glimpse into someone's personality, even if not completely enclosed in their surroundings, and present a more vivid look into a story of their life.
Lately I have been trying to paraphrase more often. In paraphrasing, I find that it is testing whether or not I understood what was presented to me. I have been trying to use quotes that have the most meat, the most meaning; the ones that jump out and help to paint a picture in the reader's mind. Instead of using quotes to guide the story, I am letting the reporting do the work.
The reporting.
I also realize that observant detail not only takes more reporting, but more questions than I am used to. More attention to the small details that make all the difference. The time of day when receiving an important phone call, or the outfit chosen to give a meaningful speech.
If I want details I have to observe. I have to ask the questions I want answers to when they pop up. I have to look at everything as if it will be of value to me, because it will be. It will help my understanding when I am more punctilious. In helping my understanding I am learning. And in my learning I am teaching myself; learning more about my own ability as a writer.
Docendo discimus. Latin for, "by teaching, we learn."
And that is something not only important to journalism, but life as a whole.
