Recently one of our staff members moved her chair 3.6 metres over to take on a new job.
It might not seem like a big move, but after serving 11 years as copy editor, the move is significant for our new Farm Living editor, Diane Rogers.
Rogers, who has worked at the Western Producer 14 years, replaces Betty Guild who recently took personal leave from the paper.
Rogers will apply what she learned as a desker to writing stories for the back section of our paper.
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“The things that are important to me as a copy editor are also what should be important to me as a writer — a good lead, accuracy, bright, active language and a logical order to the ideas presented in a story,” Rogers said.
However, the transition back to being a writer took a bit of effort at first.
“I wrote three stories one day last week and the shortest — which was the first one I did — was the most difficult as I tried to decide what were the most important bits of information and what should be left out. It’s a matter of practice because by the time I wrote the third story the discard pile was much easier to figure out.”
Rogers said the next challenge will be selecting news stories that appeal to farm families. While retaining the “bedrock of the section” such as the on-farms and the columnists, she also plans to feature some longer stories on general issues such as Third World, health, fashion or new trends. “But it must be exciting reading and thought-provoking,” she added.
Rogers has also had longtime involvement with the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, the Sask Pool-Grain Services Union employment equity committee and the Sask. International Labour Program.
Best wishes to Diane at her new job — and a big hello to Betty out in Manitoba.
