This week, we've been taking a deep dive into the importance of note-taking and how this practice helps us as authors organize our thoughts and our stories. Today, we're going to delve into a slightly different territory — the realm of investigative journalism — and explore the profound lessons it holds for authors. Our muse for today's newsletter is the critically acclaimed film Spotlight.
Spotlight, the Academy Award winner for Best Picture, chronicles the true story of The Boston Globe's investigative journalism team (named "Spotlight") as they uncover a massive scandal of child abuse within the Catholic Church. One aspect of their work that stands out vividly is their detailed note-taking and documentation process, an essential practice that lends credibility and depth to their investigation.
Here are some takeaways from Spotlight that aspiring authors can find valuable:
1. The Power of Diligent Research: The Spotlight team scours through numerous documents, follows countless leads, and conducts extensive interviews. They leave no stone unturned. This exhaustive research lends credibility to their story, a lesson that authors can apply to their own work. Immerse yourself in the world you're writing about; understand its rules, its people, and its idiosyncrasies.
2. The Significance of Notes: The journalists in the film take copious notes - scribbling down facts, documenting their interviews, and recording their thoughts and theories. Note taking becomes a critical tool for making sense of a complex and sprawling story. As an author, this practice can help you keep track of character arcs, plot lines, and themes.
3. The Value of Persistence: Even when faced with numerous dead-ends and bureaucratic obstacles, the Spotlight team doesn't give up. They keep digging, unearthing information piece by piece until the entire picture comes into focus. For authors, this persistence is equally important. Whether it's refining your narrative, developing your characters, or revising your drafts, persistence is key.
4. The Importance of Accuracy: The journalists in the film are committed to portraying the truth, and they double-check and cross-reference their findings to ensure accuracy. Similarly, authors should aim for accuracy when presenting facts or describing real-life settings or situations. It enhances the credibility of your work and the reader's immersion into your story.
Spotlight serves as a compelling reminder of the power of notes and the importance of exhaustive research in unraveling and presenting a complex narrative. As aspiring authors, you can harness these same practices to bring depth, clarity, and authenticity to your writing.
-Andrew
The Indie Author Method
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