Pulitzered

An article on Romenesko’s site today caught my eye. It was about Pulitzer winners and the way many of them often feel, psychologically, after receiving the award. The column, by Jon Friedman, ran before the public knew the winners. At the core of the story was the question that almost all Pulitzer winners face shortly after their win – “What’s next?” Friedman writes.

The column was mainly a profile bit on James Risen, a New York Times reporter who won one of the prestigious awards after he exposed President Bush’s secret spying program in 2006. It was about Risen, and basically how his then-recent fame made him uncomfortable. I don’t know why, but this reaction completely surprised me. I thought a Pulitzer and its bright fame were all most journalists ever could dream of? Not true, according to Risen, and Friedman, too.

Friedman sheds light on the idea that journalists are used to writing about the spotlight – lots of times shining the spotlight – rather than being in it. For me personally, just having my byline printed crests waves of anxiety over my head – the way people can be affected by my writing sometimes can scare me. But that’s something I’ve learned to live with. Friedman calls us journalists “shy egomaniacs.” When I think about his statement I can see where he’s coming from. This is an award that is often regarded as the tops. So it might seem natural for a reporter to inadvertently become melancholy about their career’s future. It makes me eager to see how Bob Dylan will be able to overcome his “Pulitzer burnout” – he’s certainly not green to fame.

“The problem is, you’re never as good as people say you are when you win a Pulitzer,” Risen was quoted in the column. This quote really got me, in the same way the entire column did – I never would’ve thought this way, until now. Are journalists all so insecure? I should check myself. Me, that is, I should be checked. But, for now, I say enjoy the joy of a Pulitzer, even if it’s in the anecdotes, such as being recognized in the back of a Taxi by the driver – as Risen was. It’s a story to be told for years.

Link to story: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/pulitzer-burnout-how-james-risen/story.aspx?guid=%7BBC4EDC86%2DBBB3%2D449A%2DB6D5%2DD46C5C3626F4%7D