Dancing to A Different Deadline...

As the traditional media structure sheds its skin and its fledgling offspring begins establishing itself in its wake, many journalists and broadcasters are finding themselves not only unemployed but embarking on a new career journey which may or may not be media related. Others are creating an amalgam of sorts through freelancing along with a 9-5 job, usually a lateral move like public relations or consultant; others are choosing early retirement, not sure what else there is for them.


A surprising number, however, are choosing to flex the artistic muscles that may have been sorely neglected or in hobby form during their hectic, hustle-bustle journalism careers. I have noticed, it seems, that the majority of those creative arts “re-inventees” are women. There are probably many reasons for this, but I’ll take a stab at it.

I suppose that the male dominated field which we chose certainly led us to become creative, autonomous, reflective and develop extra long arms to give ourselves pats on the back when the powers that be seemed reluctant to do so. Now, that’s not to say that many male journalists don’t possess these attributes, or that their own career path was strewn with roses and laurel wreathes just because of gender. However, the ground gained by women in media over the years was hard fought for, and the resulting creative stamina and drive has been a plus.

Women journalists are reinventing themselves, writing poetry, acting, writing novels, nonfiction, making music, writing plays( my latest focus!) becoming filmmakers and exploring other outlets. Some have become very successful, some are just dipping in a toe – still others are working hard, bringing a long term dream to fruition.

The underlying subtext is apparent – that it is taking one form of storytelling, of truth seeking, of fostering intellectual curiosity - that is, being a journalist or broadcaster -and developing it into another.

I have found the journey sometimes exhilarating, sometimes discouraging, but always interesting. I have had to teach myself how to write fiction – I was challenged by an old university friend who has had a long career as a successful actor, director and producer, to write a play, which he will be producing. I approached it as a challenge, but now it feels like something I should have been doing years ago. I am also exploring poetry and novel writing to a lesser extent, as well as continuing with the freelance writing, editing and publicist work that as a lateral move has been very satisfying – even though it is grueling at times.

I will be featuring other women monthly in this blog who are also taking the creative exit on the reinvention road, and I hope you’ll join me on the journey!