Writer Wendy’s weekly installment

So most of you know I have this side gig as a Folkways Reporter for Inside Appalachia. It’s fun, albeit with a steep learning curve, figuring out how to tell stories with disembodied sound instead of standing in front of an audience watching their faces.

I’ve had great teachers, though. It’s always a leg up when someone answers a newbie question with “here’s the goal” rather than specifics responding to your exact question. Define the goal and let people reach it based on their ideas: that’s an excellent teaching technique.

And I had some good news recently. The first story I ever did was on mushroom hunting for beginners, a thing that has interested me ever since I acquired some woodland property that proliferates with the little fungi. (And some the size of dinner plates.)

I always liked reporting (I was one fresh out of college) because you’re constantly learning things by listening to other people. It’s fascinating. So the mushroom story was fun in and of itself. But last week I got a message from the producer. It’s up for an award.

My first story??!! My head isn’t gonna fit through doorways.

The Virginias (as in Commonwealth of and West) AP Broadcasters Award has a category of “Light Feature.” I’m up for it – along with a delightful fellow reporter named Rebecca Williams, whom I met at last year’s retreat for reporters. We had a lot of fun bonding, and now we have agreed that whoever comes in first buys the second-placer a margarita. (The event is held at the Greenbriar. They make awesome margaritas.)

I’m excited; I feel validated. I’m plotting more stories to tell with sound. And I’m looking forward to the next story up, about the secret powers of a unicorn mug. Here are a couple of preview photos.

That story starts airing March 24, but local times will vary.

And if you want to hear the mushroom story, here’s the link. https://wvpublic.org/appalachian-mushroom-experts-welcome-sprouting-newbies/

Come back next Friday for more from Wendy Welch