Fine tuning the journalism radar

Jason Skog, a feature writer for The Virginian-Pilot, told a VWC journalism class recently that he has the greatest job in the world.

"All you have to do is fine-tune your radar ... silence your critic ... and find your story." Skog said.

He also offered pointers on how to find a good story.

"I can literally cruise the streets for feature stories," he said.

Skog defined the process of finding a story. First, "an interesting or weird person can make a good story." Second, "a dull person involved in something extraordinary."

Skog always wonders, "What's the deal with that?"

And finally, "people in events from which a universal can be drawn." Earl Swift, a reporter who works with Skog, once said, "A story has to move the reader."

"You read it and want to go to your roommate and say, 'Get a load of this," said Skog.

Some of the students were concerned about what makes a good reporter.

"I hope," Skog said, "that there are many types of people in this profession."

He even stated that introverts can be good reporters.

According to Skog journalism is a profession in which "you talk to people and you write down what they say." Everyone and anyone who has the passion can be a reporter.

However, Skog wasn't born with that passion. He began his journalism career with a college newspaper at Minnesota State University. It was by chance that he became a newsman.

"I didn't seek journalism out as much as it sought me," he said.

Eventually, he advanced to editor in chief with the campus paper and continued his career after graduation at the Duluth News-Tribune.

Destiny awaited him in Duluth, and Skog met his future wife Karron, a copyeditor, at The Virginian-Pilot. Now on different shifts, they only see each other 15 minutes in the morning and on Sundays. They have a 2-year-old son, Jack.

"It's the greatest thing I've ever done," Skog said. "We've made it work."

His first assignments in Duluth ranged from general assignment news, education, courts and technology to city hall beats. Skog and his wife weren't settled down long before they moved to Virginia Beach.

Skog was lucky enough to start writing city hall stories at The Virginian-Pilot, but just like the journalism business, he quickly switched sections and became a feature writer.

"Within 48 hours -- this is no joke -- I came up with 100 story ideas," Skog said.

He continues feature writing today and loves every minute of it, "the involvement, freedom, energy and variety." He also loves connecting with readers, something he wasn't able to do as much on other beats.

Skog has had a wild ride as a reporter. Only once did he feel his life was in danger.

"The scariest thing was going to a Native American reservation and covering a murder investigation." he said.

Three Indians were accused of murdering an 18-year-old boy. As he pulled up, men began hastily approaching his car. He pulled out and did not look back.

"You have to know when to give up the fight," Skog said.

He has only been in a few shouting matches. Sometimes you have to be a little tough with people to get the information you need.

"You'll know those people when you encounter them." said Skog.

As far as his fears, his biggest is being a bad journalist.

"I just don't want to suck," Skog said with a laugh.

He could not recall any notable mistakes he had made in his career but said, "You want to make sure you don't make them again."

The biggest mistake, he said, "is to totally miss the point."

The future of newspapers is unclear, Skog said, but he tries not to think about that.

He said, "Papers are no longer keeping public service at the forefront," he said.

"The newspaper is the best way to learn about your community. Find a way to get access to what is going on."