Veteran reporter starting blog at rrstar.com - Blogs - Rockford Register Star

Rockford Register Star’s new Boone County Reporter.

 

By Susan Vela

Susan Vela covers regional issues with a particular focus on Boone and Stephenson counties.

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Hello!
This is my first blog, and it’s fair to say I’m curious about the possibilities of this personal and professional enterprise.
In practically 20 years of print journalism, I’ve written a column here and there. While my formative years were about reading the columns of Chicago’s Mike Royko and Detroit’s Mitch Albom and, later on, New York’s Maureen Dowd, I haven’t necessarily always known where to take my columns.
I’ve touched on a few hot-button issues and sometimes drawn upon my family for material. But I’ve never had to worry about consistently and regularly finding fodder for such writing enterprises.
Now, it’s the wave of the future, and I accept the challenge willingly and happily. Your problem, Dear Reader, is that this is bound to be a learning experience for myself.
To start, I’ll probably delight in some of the local residents who cross my path. Then, once I get to know the region, I’m not sure what will happen.
I certainly hope to draw upon the communities that I’ll be covering: Boone County, Belvidere, Poplar Grove, Caledonia, Capron, Timberlane and New Milford.
For now, let me tell you a little bit about myself.
I’m a native Michiganian who resisted journalism because she was accepted into the University of Michigan’s engineering program. And that oddball choice was because, like most students who did well in sciences and math at my high school, I felt obligated to try joining the ranks of the state’s manufacturing force.
(Hindsight? They say it’s 20-20.)
I tried. But, I couldn’t put behind a love for reading and writing. Journalism was the bug that buzzed into my ear and then, after Michigan State University journalism classes, I interned/worked at the Alma Morning Sun.
So, um, I’ve been practicing print journalism for nearly 20 years. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind with several beats and communities.
I look forward to getting to know this one more.
Have a great day!

Above is from:  Veteran reporter starting blog at rrstar.com - Blogs - Rockford Register Star