Comments on: Covering the Virginia Tech shootings

By: A selection of Northern Illinois Univ. Shooting front pages at Charles Apple

A selection of Northern Illinois Univ. Shooting front pages at Charles Apple — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:07:34 +0000

[…] here in Virginia, of course, have a unique perspective on this story. My best wishes go out to the students and families who suffered through this tragedy […]

By: Paul Wallen

Paul Wallen — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 19:52:22 +0000

Thanks for the candid, detailed look behind the scenes. Enjoyable read. And the full page graphic is extremely efficient and inviting. Does a great job of laying out the whole story, with just the right amount of detail. Nice job!

By: Ashley Dinges

Ashley Dinges — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:52:39 +0000

Thanks for writing this, Charles. It was a fascinating read and really interesting to hear how the Pilot covered this news story, since it ws so close to home.

By: Tim Harrower

Tim Harrower — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:55:50 +0000

Thanks for the fascinating behind-the-scenes narrative, Charles. It’s a great read — and a terrific way to show students what it feels like to grapple with a big breaking story. I’ve got you bookmarked.

By: Megan Lavey

Megan Lavey — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 01:53:27 +0000

Charles, this post was beautiful. You’re such an excellent storyteller and it’s great to see this from your point of view. All of us has one story like this to tell during their career and I’m so glad that you shared yours. You, the rest of the V-P and Link as well kicked all sorts of butt this past week. Fantastic job.

By: Jim McBee

Jim McBee — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:47:37 +0000

There’s something about big news that kicks us into gear, isn’t there? Not to say we phone it in other days, but the level of energy and dedication in a newsroom really shoots up when something drastic happens. Everyone pitches in; the bitching and politicking take a break. Except that it’s so exhausting and requires awful things to happen, you wish it could be like that every day. I’ve seen it a few times, now, and it fits that model you just described (in glorious detail.) I got to see it again Saturday when the Blue Angels pilot crashed and died.

By: Ji

Ji — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 15:39:17 +0000

I haven’t finished this long article yet. But it’s made me recall the last week for my project at the Pilot when the Ford company accounced it would shut down the Norfolk’s plant.
If I was at the Pilot this year to do the project, this piece would be perfect for the weekly report.

By: Bill Bootz

Bill Bootz — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 15:15:21 +0000

Wow, this is incredible, what a job you did, as well as the Roanoke Times. (Your graphic was excellent, BTW!)

I also like Denis’s explanation of the photo run on the first day, and the explanation of the planning for the Day 2 victims cover was outstanding (read on another part of VizEds). I often hear in our newsroom if a photo will pass the “breakfast test”, but in this 24/7 cable news overkill world, I just can’t help but to think that test doesn’t have much validity any more.

Get some rest, and some nourishment, my friend!

By: Beard

Beard — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:40:31 +0000

C. Apple - Thanks for this amazingly thorough glimpse into the chaos. I hope you’re getting some rest. And nourishment.

By: Bob Voros

Bob Voros — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 20:28:47 +0000

I just to clear up the statement - “When Bob comes in, the poor guy looks like hell.” - that I was sick and not hungover. Thanks boss.