MY CREATIVE PROCESS

Please visit the following links to view my workflow.

How I work

“I enjoy researching and writing stories with strong messages; stories that need to be told, and with issues that affect or inspire my readers. Also, stories with unique content, or fresh ways of looking at a topic.”

“Before an interview, I learn what I can about the interviewee from existing sources.”

 “When I’m interviewing someone for a story, I make sure they’re comfortable, and let them talk without interrupting them or judging them. Sometimes it may take an hour before they open up. The more they speak, the more information I have.”

“After the interview, I ensure that what I write is factual and accurate, asking for confirmation from the interviewee where appropriate. It’s important to pick the right words from the interview to create a piece that makes sense to the average reader, and allows readers to see the subject and feel as though they’re in the room with them.”

“If I’m writing about something controversial, I research the subject. I try to understand both sides of an issue, and interview the relevant people from both sides. I ensure the content is based on research from relevant sources. It’s important to start with an open mind, willing to see both sides, and then let readers make up their own minds.”

The Japan experience

“Obviously living in Japan for many years taught me about Japanese culture, business and other, and customs. But it also taught me about patience and respect for others. It doesn’t get you very far in Japan to be impatient and angry and demanding. Here in the USA I’m still learning to deal with so many people from different cultural and religious backgrounds.”

Let’s have the bad news first…

“I was interviewing one person in Tokyo who was standing as a candidate for the presidency of a business association. The interview was like pulling teeth – boring, nothing human there. Every answer was about her ambition to win the election.”

“Another story that felt boring and uninteresting was a series of interviews with women CEOs in Japan owning their own businesses. All of them believed their way and philosophy were the best in absolute terms. It became very clear throughout the process that it was definitely a case of different strokes for different folks – there is no common magic bullet.”

 “I’ve interviewed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other politicians. Of course, they are used to evading questions and giving non-answers. It’s hard to get a meaningful response from them.”

“One story I wrote was about an artist who lost his father to suicide when he was young. He said that he hadn’t forgiven his father, but that perhaps I shouldn’t mention this or make a point of it, as he was happy now. I wrote one short paragraph about it, though. However, when I saw the published version, the sub-editor had headlined it ‘A life of hardship…’. Ouch! I really felt bad about that.”

“I loved writing about the legendary photographer Michael Childers, learning from him about the history of the gay movement.”

 “Another artist who I really enjoyed meeting and talking with is the vibrant and talented sculptor Anne Rowe. But there are so many more wonderful creative people whom I have met, including the whimsical artist Snake Jagger, who really made me smile.”“On the somewhat lighter side, I enjoy the fun, snappy stories. A special dance routine for handwashing developed by a Japanese choreographer, the culture of mask-wearing, and on ‘cough etiquette’ for the Los Angeles Times.”

And the good news…

“I am really happy when my stories help to bring about positive change, especially in areas where I feel passionate. For example, I wrote about a Turkish man married to a Japanese woman, who had been stuck in a Japanese detention center for many months under harsh circumstances. In fact he had a broken leg. I visited him there in detention, wrote about his story, and a week after the story was published in the Japan Times he was released.”

“Another story of mine dealing with two young Americans detained at a Japanese detention center made the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle.”

“I wrote a couple of pieces on women from different countries trafficked to Japan, and young Japanese runaway girls, which brought a lot of attention to the issue. I remember sitting with the director of a safe house hidden from view from the street where I wasn’t allowed to write about its location because the gangsters would retaliate. While I was sitting down interviewing, I could hear a woman’s screams in the background – a haunting sound. I was happy to do my part in helping expose the situation.”

“I loved writing about the legendary photographer Michael Childers, learning from him about the history of the gay movement.”

 “Another artist who I really enjoyed meeting and talking with is the vibrant and talented sculptor Anne Rowe. But there are so many more wonderful creative people whom I have met, including the whimsical artist Snake Jagger, who really made me smile.”

“On the somewhat lighter side, I enjoy the fun, snappy stories. A special dance routine for handwashing developed by a Japanese choreographer, the culture of mask-wearing, and on ‘cough etiquette’ for the Los Angeles Times.”

And when it’s not news?


“As well as news stories and personal profiles, I’ve also worked on promotional projects, print and video, for companies and organizations. It’s something I enjoy doing, as I don’t know as much on a subject as the experts who deal in it every day. I have to learn about the subjects from them, and ‘translate’ their explanations for the benefit of non-experts. Unlike the experts, I’m not emotionally involved or tied to a particular viewpoint, and can stand back and see subjects from a broader perspective. This is often very helpful when a concept or product is being promoted. It’s possible to stand too close to the subject, and be unable to see the forest for the trees. As an outsider I can help to stop that happening.”