A Conversation with Brian Barrett, Executive Editor at WIRED

Today’s guest is Brian Barrett.

Brian Barrett is the Executive Editor at WIRED. He’s worked in journalism since 2006. We also do a monthly improv show at Faraway Theater in Birmingham, Alabama, called Pigeons.

In this episode, we talk about his career in journalism and his thoughts on reporting and managing journalists as the Executive Editor of WIRED.

If you write in your job, you can benefit from learning how journalists approach their work. Journalists write for a broad audience and have to relay facts in a logical and plain way.

One of the key stills you can practice as a writer is reading like one. Take an article you enjoyed and ask yourself:

* What are the choices this journalist makes?

* How does s/he convey information, even technical information?

* How does s/he bring in sources?

Then you begin to notice what you like and can incorporate those techniques into your style.

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Find good examples of journalists and emulate their style. If you don’t have a favorite journalist, try reading these two writers that I enjoy:

* Jason Gay, sports columnist at the Wall Street Journal. Here’s a great example of his work.

* David Brooks, opinion columnist at the New York Times. Start by reading this.

And check out Brian’s work!

What is the last best article you read?