Messages that make your day.

Dear Jessica,

Well done! Congratulations again.

This represents a lot of work. Can you do a follow-on series to document
the progress?

What is the possibility of your writing opinion columns for the next
semester? Can you do both at the same time?

Is one paid for both types of writing at your paper?

How do you obtain feedback from your readers?

Is there a group of colleagues on the "news side" of the paper that
regularly read and offer comment on your work?

Do you have a "news editor" that is one of the permanent staff of the paper?


Do you have a formal journalism class/club that, as a matter of practice,
reads and critiques the work of the membership?

There does come a time when you (and your work) come to a level of
maturity/accomplishment that your self-assessment becomes your best
standard. I assume that much of what you might receive from your readers is
in the category of approval/disapproval, not the critique of the format or
process used in generating the article.

Well, importantly, I am eager to learn more about your profession, one that
is as important as ever in undergirding our evolving democratic society.

As a society with all its warts and wounds and wrinkles, we shall be in very
good hands, if you, and others of similar mind, energy, experience, and
motivation, continue to hold the pen!

Admiration and Love,

Grandpa