Fashion and Lifestyle
By Shelby Jarrett
As a former history major and second-year master’s student, my experience with journalistic writing in general is limited. I am told on a regular basis that my writing still comes across as “academic” rather than journalistic, which illustrates how much I still have to learn (though I’m working on it all the time).
This lack of experience, however, is precisely the reason I was interested in the fashion and lifestyle beat. I’ve not had much opportunity to write on these subjects in the past, but many of my interests fall within the category of fashion and lifestyle–travel, food, interior decor, local culture, and yes, fashion (though most of you probably won’t believe that as I am usually in workout gear in class. My only opportunity to go to the gym on Tuesday/Thursday happens right before this class. I’m sorry.).
Additionally, many of the magazines I peruse in my spare time fall under this category. I enjoy Food and Wine, the occasional Vogue, and numerous garden and home decor magazines. I may not have much experience with magazine writing or even journalistic writing in general, but I am hopeful that my genuine interest in this subject area will mean that this semester is both profitable and enjoyable (and by “profitable” I think I really mean “prolific,” because does anyone go into journalism for the money? I think not.).