So after re-reading my scrambled deadline story from UCLA’s win over Cal on Wednesday night, I thought I’d let you in on how it sorta works.
So throughout the game, I’m writing my story for deadline, and because of the Daily News’ position with the Los Angeles News Group, it is necessary for me to turn in a story essentially at the buzzer, minus fresh quotes.
In a game like Wednesday’s – up, down, up, down, Roll, huh?, wow, go – it is especially difficult. I basically had a first-half story written, a second-half story tacked on top, and four sentences about the ending. The game ended on a miracle; that I had my story in eight minutes later was probably more of one.
After interviewing players and coaches, I turn in a second story, which in a tight deadline, typically goes online only, unless there’s a way to get it in the print version. Needless to say, there’s quite a difference in quality…
Take a look at the comparison: