The complete creative process | Pinnacle Newsletter #61
#61 The complete creative process
Usually, as a feature writer in the outdoor genre, my creative process goes something like this:
Have an experience worth writing about.
Obtain commission for a feature (sometimes this swaps places with stage 1, but this is usually the better way around).
A mysterious idea-generation process involving lots of strolls, voice notes, staring out of the window, doodles, cups of tea and so on.
Apply bottom to chair, pen to paper, and thrash out a draft.
Type draft into computer, editing as I go, then edit some more. Sit on it for a couple of days and then edit again.
Ask wife to read printout of edited draft. Edit again until satisfied.
Edit and select photos; write captions.
Package the whole thing up and send it to my editor.
At some point in the future – could be a month, could be a year or more – read the feature in finished form in the pages of a magazine.
Get paid.
Until this week, I haven’t had any deeper involvement in the creative process when it comes to my own published features (in print, at least). I’ve never had the opportunity to provide much input on the design or even the final selection of photographs. While the editors I work with have always done an amazing job of turning my raw material into something fit for consumption, I’ve long been curious about the choices I’d make if I had a meaningful say in the design.
This week is my third as acting editor of TGO magazine, and that very opportunity has come my way.
I don’t want to reveal any details of an issue still in production, but I can say that our pagination was increased and I needed to source an additional feature immediately – one that would require minimal further work. I usually have several TGO features on file at any given time. Although my first inclination was to give the slot to someone else, one of my pieces happened to be a good fit with the pieces we already had in place, and I was encouraged to use it. My work is usually in a clean condition these days and doesn’t need much editing (that’s just a fact, not a boast), so I sent it off to Roger Smith for subbing while I gave some thought to the specific images I wanted to use.
The copy came back from Roger an hour later with a genial ‘I’ve barely touched it’. Next I sent it to our designer along with my images and a few notes, careful to avoid micro-managing her work. She knows her own job best, and is very good at it, but I explained that this was a rare chance for me to have a say in how one of my own features looked at the design stage. She was gracious enough to accomodate my suggestions (which were, in any case, logical ones).
Normally, when out on the hill, I’ll shoot several images I think might work for the opening spread, leaving the final decision to the editor. This trip was no different. But I had also pre-visualised one particularly simple, striking image that I hoped would tell my story in a single frame. It was a real pleasure yesterday to open up the InDesign file and see that image right there with headline, standfirst and byline all in place.
We have one more week to go in the production schedule, and it’s steadily progressing towards the finish line thanks to the skilled and dedicated team I’m working with. By the time you receive my next newsletter, the issue should (hopefully) have gone to press, and thoughts will turn to the Outdoor Trade Show in Manchester the following week… and the start of my Haute Route Pyrenees shortly after.
In other news…
Vertebrate Publishing are hiring a guidebook researcher. Looks like a great role here for someone.
Recently published
What I’ve been reading this week – this week’s quality online reads on the outdoors, backpacking and environment.
Went to mow the meadow – a little story about a walker and an owl. I guess you could call it landscape writing.
Review: Exped Synmat UL Winter M – my review of an exceptionally comfy mat I took on the Cape Wrath Trail.
Until next time,
Alex
Readers can now support my writing by making a one-off donation via my tip jar. Your spare change helps keep me going on the trail!
If you enjoy my weekly letters or find them interesting, please tell someone else. Here is the signup link you can share: https://tinyletter.com/alex_roddie