Long Deadlines

One of the benefits on having a long deadline for a story (don't be confused: no deadline is long enough for a journalist) is that you get more than one shot at writing a story. Last Wednesday, after a marathon writing and (information) digesting session, I finished my first draft of my social marketing feature. As first drafts go, it was a typical first draft: sentences need to be rewritten and the tone needs to be re-worked. But I was content with my first draft.

Another benefit to having a long deadline, is the possibility of interviewees who failed to reply to you early when you were reporting, reply to you later. I've had two interviews since I wrote my first draft. Adding them to my story should freshen up the article, and add a greater range of opinion.

But danger of the long deadline is the absence of urgency. Sometimes a sense of urgency can serve as a strong element in a story, and so I'm trying to write with the idea that a deadline is not too far.