Arrested Quote by P. J. O'Rourke
“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
Source Magazine: Rolling Stone, interview (1990s)
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.
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![“The wise traveler [to Beirut] will pack shirts or blouses with ample breast pockets. Reaching inside a jacket for your passport looks too much like going for the draw and puts armed men out of countinence” quote by P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/97f/p-j-o-rourke-184_beirut_the-wise-traveler-to-beirut-will-pack-sh_2420484.jpg)
