The three-L rule
We editors in the rarified air of the ivory tower have a magical vision of how the newsroom works.
Back on Planet Earth, things work a bit differently.
Oh, editors expect stories to be well-written, at expected length and in by deadline. And some even meet those three expectations.
But some don't.
National editor Janet Brindle Reddick has applied her immense mathematical prowess to come up with the three-L rule. A story can be late, long or lousy, but can only fit one of those criteria. She explains:
* If it's late, but clean, and at budgeted length, we can get it through the system quickly.
* If it's on time and well-written, we have time to cut it.
* If it's on time and at length, we have time to rework it.
And by extension, if it's late and too long, then there's no time to cut a well-written piece deftly and it gets whacked with a dull ax. If it's lousy and late, lipstick is slapped on that pig. The best scenario is when it is lousy and long; readers unconsciously thank the editor who cuts it.
And if it is all three, someone gets a new one chewed.
These are the kinds of useful things I learn when I drift out of the tower. Scary, huh?
Comments (6)
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So why are you telling me all this? Is it to improve my knowledge or to prove you do have a life or what?
Posted on March 22, 2008 9:37 AM
The story is still late in all three scenarios, though, isn't it?
Posted on March 22, 2008 10:04 AM
My stuff is usually late and sometimes lousy, but I'm pretty good at turning it in at the right length.
Posted on March 22, 2008 11:05 AM
Dale, I have no life so it must be to improve your knowledge.
Cathy, yes, they're all late, but the rule only works in a shop with a fast-moving, efficient and flexible desk operation, such as ours.
Ed, your copy may be late, but somehow I doubt it's ever lousy.
Posted on March 22, 2008 12:55 PM
So it's looking to me like you're late in reporting the Dam Scam. Guess those cutbacks and layoffs make it hard to find time to cover real news?
Posted on March 23, 2008 8:16 AM
I like this rule. It would make my editor more forgiving. Of the three, I have a tendency to blow the length. But I can write quick on deadline, and my copy is fairly clean. I think I may share this with them, thanks for posting it.
Posted on March 25, 2008 12:23 AM