#romanceclass Journalist Lecture!
(Video by Chi Rodriguez!)
How do we even begin to sort out our feelings?
It's been a few days since we had our #romanceclass lecture, where we invited journalists to come over and talk about their jobs, relationships (wink wink) and other things!
We've been doing this 'lecture series' where we invite speakers doing the jobs that we like our characters to have. They help us get a better sense of their day to day lives, how they relate to the people they work with and who they work with. There were books on sale, and each attendee got an ebook bundle (that included a copy of Marry Me, Charlotte B! because reality TV)!
A photo posted by #romanceclassbooks (@romanceclassbooks) on Aug 5, 2016 at 9:59pm PDT
This lecture in particular was about journalists on TV, and we invited some really awesome people. There was a bit of suspense/drama surrounding this, as we were told to be prepared for the guests to cancel anytime. These journalists are highly regarded in their field so if there was an emergency happening, we had to be ready for it all to fall through.
My Twitter feed exploded when we found out who it was. I've seen Pia Arcangel on TV (my siblings used to watch her show Art Angel a lot!) and have always thought that she was a good reporter. Plus she looks so stylish and cool. I noticed she talked with her hands a lot too, but manages to stay so still when she's doing news reports.
And then there's this other dude. You know. Atom Araullo. Everyone's heard of him--or at least, seen his coverage of Typhoon Yolanda. I had no idea he was a physicist, avid tooth brusher and likes long walks on the beach. I loved hearing him talk. I liked that he called his job a 'calling', and it sounds to me like he's made a lot of sacrifices for it. He just seemed so dedicated to his job.
A photo posted by Jay E. Tria (@jayetria) on Aug 6, 2016 at 7:46pm PDT
Although I'm not planning on writing about TV journalists yet, I liked that we were able to discuss the nature of relationships between reporters of different networks, reporters and their cameramen, reporters and their producers. They also talked about their career tracks, how they got into the business.
These are the kinds of details that REALLY help when you're writing. We need a database for this, or something!
I remember them talking about the sacrifices they had to make, and how they made them. Pia talked about how she scaled back at work when she became a mom, but it was the kind of sacrifice that didn't feel so bad to her (yes you can have it all!). Meanwhile, Atom also talked about how little time he has for someone because of his job and when it comes to special occasions, it becomes special when you make it so.
Obviously we were all little puddles of goo on the floor when the lecture ended.
Then after the lecture, other things happened!
You know, like this! That's my kilig face. I had no idea his hand was on my shoulder I was too busy trying to stop myself from giggling.
And this! Yep, that's Samantha Sotto, author of Before Ever After, and one of my favorites! I gave her a copy of Cities, which she finished the next day!