Renowned Rolling Stone and NYT Journalist Visits DHS
Gerri Hirshey, who refers to herself as an “entertainer” has interviewed some of rock’s biggest names. Now she visits the Neirad team and shares tips for journalistic survival…
NEIRAD enilno edition
The New York Times reporter Gerri Hirshey took a break from pounding out copy to discuss her experiences in the professional world of journalism with DHS students.
As a high school student in Fairfield many years ago, Hirshey rooted against the Blue Wave. Now she is in enemy territory to help budding Darien journalists develop their writing skills. Hirshey offered advice in feature writing and interviewing to the many students who attended the assembly last month. One of her most important rules was welcomed wholeheartedly by DHS English teachers.
“Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite, “Hirshey said. “I edit and rewrite my stories at least five (5!) times.”
Hirshey also has a celebrated career working for Rolling Stone for more than 20 years and the Washington Post where she worked under the tutelage of legendary editor Ben Bradlee. In her career, Hirshey has conducted interviews with the likes of Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson and Britney Spears. And that is just for starters.
Hirshey refers to herself as an "entertainer". She believes a journalist must “tap dance on the page.” In other words, a reporter must keep readers interested and informed; that adage is especially important in today’s world where multiple news mediums compete for attention. Flashy visuals often take precedence over editorial content.
“I’m flying to Nashville today for an interview with Dolly Parton. I’m getting one hour to interview her while the photo shoot has been allotted six hours. It shows how they value words," Hirshey said.
Hirshey, a Weston resident, admits to being an “impatient reader” and explained crucial strategies to hook people with a catchy lead. Hirshey also stated that a reporter must do his or her research before interviewing someone. But she stressed they must use legitimate sources, which does not include Wikipedia. Hirshey admits she has been burned by online sources that were not reliable in the past. Do your research and never assume you know it all, she cautioned.
“Before you walk into an interview, you have to assume you are totally stupid and don’t know anything [in order to gain as much information] as you can,” Hirshey remarked.
This strategy has definitely proven successful because Hirshey is one of the very few people who Mick Jagger agrees will be allowed to interview him. At Rolling Stone they called Gerri “the nutcracker” – she is one of the few reporters who could get reluctant interviewees to talk. Hirshey said the reason celebrities like Mick Jagger are openly honest with her is not only because she is naturally a quiet person who listens well, but also because she strives to ask insightful questions that no other reporter has thought of asking.
“I will do my ‘homework’ [and] I am not going to ask boring questions that he has answered a million times,” Gerri said.
The information about this storied career definitely captured her student audience.
"Listening to her was insightful because it was very interesting understanding the life of a high profile journalist," junior Spencer Matson said.
The DHS students were thankful Hirshey could put aside an old high school rivalry to help Darien journalists in their aspirations to tap dance on the page.
