You can read Naomi's story, Let there be Night, here

[02:05] Naomi on life as a full-time freelance journalist through the pandemic

[03:03] Naomi discusses her career background and how she became a journalist

"I bought five freelance journalism books … read them all, drew up a spreadsheet and just started sending pitches out, which was hilarious."

"I loved finding all out about a subject and then telling the story and writing it. But I found – probably like many journos actually – ringing people up and asking them things was just terrifying."

"Don't be precious, just get the words down, [then] send them off and be on time. And watch out for any legal challenges."

[06:55] Naomi on her shift from working for a newspaper to being a full-time freelancer

[09:14] Naomi on why she is optimistic about the future of media

"I'm optimistic about the future of media – I don't think it's doom and gloom; I think people are valuing it more and more as we realise what we're losing." [cite 'The Spin-Off' here?]

"It's almost like in the internet age you need to be more honest and transparent than media organisations used to be. I think organisations that embrace that … will probably be doing a lot better than the traditional behemoth, where they were the gatekeepers and what they said, went"

[10:42] Naomi on how to get a foot in the industry, and tips for freelancers, which she detailed in-depth in this Twitter thread

[16:27] Naomi offers some tips for writing a cold pitch for a story

[19:21] Naomi talks about her voice and her writing styles adapting to certain publications

"I would hope my voice would disappear in a way; the goal is to have the reader get involved in your work, not necessarily notice who [is writing] or how it's being told. I think that's the way to get people to the end of your story, which is your goal."

"So it's the whole 'kill your darlings' thing, isn't it. The editor will say, 'You're being a bit wanky'. They'll tell you that when you think you've written something particularly great. If you're lucky enough to get a good editor, they will also help you turn the flourishes into something less egregiously wanky."

[21:40] Naomi on seeking advice from editors and others with your writing

[26:40] Naomi dives into her story for NZ Geographic, Let there be Night

"You have to respect the research while painting a picture for the reader that's not going to put them off. I try to think about it as writing for a curious high school student. Just guiding them through the piece while coming up with concepts that illustrate the science in a way that's not dumbing it down."

[40:43] Naomi on the challenges of accessing up-to-date scientific research to help write her story

"That's what I like about writing science actually – just the wonder and the curiosity that you can really imbue in it. The wonder at the natural world."

[47:05] Naomi on writing her endings, and her thoughts on outlining

[51:57] Naomi on taking random freelance assignments, and her view on saying yes or no to work opportunities as a freelancer

[54:46] Naomi on her potential future as a freelancer, and why writers shouldn't necessarily feel they have to work exclusively in that field

"If you get too attached to this career, it can really chew you up and spit you out if you feel like you need to be making all of your money from journalism … there's nothing wrong with having a day job and doing a few pieces on the side that you're really passionate about."

[56:35] Naomi on the writing and writers she likes to read

[59:18] Naomi answers our (slightly different) hypothetical regarding her dream freelance assignment 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.