I'd known the people at Rolling Stone for a while. I'd…
“I'd known the people at Rolling Stone for a while. I'd gone to them with a piece I'd done on Beirut for Vanity Fair that Vanity Fair didn't want to publish, because they said I was making fun of death... This was Tina Brown.But they paid me for it. So I've got this big chunk of a piece, and Rolling Stone liked it, but they thought it was a little dated. But then they called me back and asked me to do a similar piece about the Turks and Caicos Islands, where the whole government had been arrested for dope smuggling. That was fun.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A journalist recounts how a quirky assignment led to a rewarding story about a drug‑smuggling scandal, showing that unexpected topics can become compelling work.
In simple terms: Unexpected assignments can become rewarding work.
Key Takeaway
Embrace odd assignments for unique stories.
Themes
journalism
creativity
opportunity
Mood
playful
reflective
Type
anecdotal
inspirational
When to use this quote
- freelance writing
- investigative pieces
- travel journalism
- media pitching
Key Concepts
storytelling
risk‑taking
culture
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you turn a dated idea into fresh content?
- What risks are worth taking for a story?
A Different Perspective
Success depends on audience relevance and timing.