Monday, December 03, 2007

Lisa Heyamoto talks about column writing with J-class

SACRAMENTO, Calif., USA - The Sacramento Bee's newest three dot columnist came by my column writing class Monday night to share her insights into the column-writing bizz.

Bouncy and upbeat as always, Lisa Heyamoto managed to infect the room - even though most of the students are suffering from end-of-the-semester fatigue and near burn out.

She was as candid as candid can be in answering questions about where she gets her ideas, how she puts together her three-times-per-week column and how it is to work with various editors, either at The Bee or in Seattle where she worked before moving the California.

At 29, she is the youngest of all The Bee's columnists - by a factor of probably 25 years.
  • Lisa's column

  • She provided some serious inspiration for some of the students who have been reading all the doom and gloom about the newspaper and publishing industries. Work hard, she said, and take whatever job you need to get that foot in the door.

    Very wise words.

    Here's a brief clip of Lisa speaking to class.

    2 comments:

    Casey Kirk said...

    I agree with the part about the burn-out. You said we were shy but I think it was the fatigue that got us!

    Either way, she was the best guest this semester by far!

    Lacey said...

    She was very interesting. My friends and I have read her column and we agreed (before I saw her speak) that we couldn't tell what she was doing with the column and why. I feel like I gained some important insight into her process.

    If you were to teach this class again though, I'd recommend sending Rick Kushman in at the very beginning of the semester. He had a lot of great, beginner advice that made me sort of slap my forehead for not knowing beforehand.