The writing process

Yesterday I got a text from a friend I have known for 46 years: “Kiki: I’d love to know your thoughts re this opinion article.  Warning: it’s super long. Maybe there are elements of the article that you could pen a response article to?”

I replied: Thanks E. I was thinking about this and talking with folks last night, this might be another pitch for the Progressive:  are we too inclusive?  I am still listening, thanks so much. For putting this on my radar, I saw the headline but didn’t read but glad you brought to my attention.”

Then I emailed the following pitch to my editor:

“In yesterday’s NYT Andrew Sullivan wrote a piece entitled “How the Gay Rights Movement Radicalized and Lost its Way”

He referenced a Pew Research Center study about how “Americans have grown more supportive of restrictions for trans people in recent years. 

I would like to write a piece roughly about is the movement too inclusive, have we lost the minds and hearts of folks regarding the trans community. 

What do you think. Of course I would add my personal spin pre trans and gender identity.

Response from my editor:

“Sure. Let's do this. Do draw substantially from Sullivan's piece and have some fun with it. One of my colleagues suggests that you note his long reputation for such deflating commentary. Let me know when you have an ETA. The Tribune folks say we should be aiming for 650 to 700 words; it's OK to go a little longer in terms of what you send.”

So I gave myself a deadline of getting the draft to him by 9am CT on Wednesday.

I will share the draft and the edited copy before it goes out to the Tribune wire service and maybe you’ll see in your local newspaper.

Questions?