Brainstorming for Lit. Journalism
Ok, so what should I write about? I have a particular attachment to my town and the surronding area.
After Hurricane Floyd, downtown Bound Brook was devasted. I helped my friend's family clean-up their apartment, but this was 7 years ago. This wouldn't work. The town has just restored the Brook Theater. This could be a possiblitity. I think I saved the article somewhere that details what events will be happening. I could also interview/talk with committee members.
In my town of South Bound Brook, Main Street continues a re-beautification process. With this, an old, asbestos-ridden factory has been sanatized, demolished and rebuilt into condos on the Delware-Raritan Canal. This would provide me with a lot of information.
Also, the oldest church (a Reformed) is under serious financial trouble. This could be an idea. Though, I'm not too attached to churches in general even though it serves a historic landmark for our town.
As Dr. Chandler pointed out, I could write about a particular concert venue that I've been to and played at. The Stone Pony in Asbury Park has particular significance because of Bruce Springsteen. Yet, the town has had a serious decline which until now has lasted from the collaspe of the boardwalk infastructure around the 60s. How has this changed the town, my interpretation of it and the music scene that emerged from it? Several clubs are within the area and I've performed at 3. Has this shaped me?
Thinking about the hurricane, can I draw parellels between today and then? The last pile of rubble, left by the storm, has been cleaned up and is now a Dunkin Donuts. Did the beautification of my town coincide with Bound Brook's clean-up/rebuilding process? I know there are plans to build townhouses next to or within a block of the Bound Brook train station. There's too many choices.
After Hurricane Floyd, downtown Bound Brook was devasted. I helped my friend's family clean-up their apartment, but this was 7 years ago. This wouldn't work. The town has just restored the Brook Theater. This could be a possiblitity. I think I saved the article somewhere that details what events will be happening. I could also interview/talk with committee members.
In my town of South Bound Brook, Main Street continues a re-beautification process. With this, an old, asbestos-ridden factory has been sanatized, demolished and rebuilt into condos on the Delware-Raritan Canal. This would provide me with a lot of information.
Also, the oldest church (a Reformed) is under serious financial trouble. This could be an idea. Though, I'm not too attached to churches in general even though it serves a historic landmark for our town.
As Dr. Chandler pointed out, I could write about a particular concert venue that I've been to and played at. The Stone Pony in Asbury Park has particular significance because of Bruce Springsteen. Yet, the town has had a serious decline which until now has lasted from the collaspe of the boardwalk infastructure around the 60s. How has this changed the town, my interpretation of it and the music scene that emerged from it? Several clubs are within the area and I've performed at 3. Has this shaped me?
Thinking about the hurricane, can I draw parellels between today and then? The last pile of rubble, left by the storm, has been cleaned up and is now a Dunkin Donuts. Did the beautification of my town coincide with Bound Brook's clean-up/rebuilding process? I know there are plans to build townhouses next to or within a block of the Bound Brook train station. There's too many choices.
posted by Red Head Matt at 7:57 AM
1 Comments:
I like the idea about the hurricane the best - maybe because you started with it and concluded with it in your entry.
You write well about place - and I like your idea about looking at the plans and seeing how they turned out, and interviewing the committee members. That seems like it could be journalistic - and since you live there and helped with the cleanup you have a natural "in" for projecting your perspective on this.
And it looks like Dana and Jackie both like this one.
Also - if it is a local interest - you might have an easy time getting your piece in the sunday section of the local newspaper. mmhm.
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