By Taylor Inmon
The Alabama Baptist
This summer I’ve been so blessed to intern at TAB Media Group, and it wouldn’t have happened without my new church’s subscription making me aware of TAB’s existence.
My father recently became the senior pastor at Cropwell Baptist Church in Pell City. When I expressed to my parents the difficulty in finding a publishing internship in New York, they suggested reaching out to TAB, whose issues came like clockwork into his office. I am so glad I listened.
Background
I’m currently earning a master’s of fine arts in creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. After a year of New York, exciting and enriching as it was, I was looking forward to exploring the greater Birmingham area and spending time with my family this summer.
Though I spent my undergraduate years at the University of Mobile (go Rams!), I consider myself a native of Mississippi and new to this state.
The interesting people I’ve been able to interview have made me proud to be in such a hub of missions. Hearing their stories, I’m realizing Alabama is filled with churches that are on fire with a vision to reach both their communities and the nations with the good news of Jesus our Savior!
The experience has also opened my eyes to the differences between my primary genre of writing (speculative fiction, short- and long-form) and journalism.
First feature story
In writing my first feature, I waxed lyrical about a minister I had interviewed. We had a great conversation, and I instinctively sought to sway my audience in his favor with emotional and inspirational language.
Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Rash gave me some simple but solid advice: “You don’t actually know him, or if he’s earned this subjective praise. Keep to the facts.”
I’ve also begun to learn, very slowly, economy in my writing. Through the aid of Jennifer and director of content Shawn Hendricks, I learned to ask: Does this sentence further the point? No? Then get rid of it, even if it’s a fun detail and even if it was emphasized by your interviewee.
I have a long way to go yet in this skillset. But I’m certain that even in my fictional prose, these principles will serve me well.
Welcoming environment
The TAB office environment was welcoming and fun, even with the massive facelift taking place. Shingle-rain and sawdust were staples at the historic TAB building this summer, but everyone kept good attitudes and rapport.
Maggie Evans, director of operations, graciously shared her office with me, and I already consider her a dear friend and valued mentor. With her, I don’t have to be the stereotypical, tech-savvy Zoomer! Though she would deny it, she can fix anything.
The workload was balanced and satisfying; I always had something to do but never felt too overloaded. That suited me well and is a credit to the thoughtful delegation skills of our editor in chief.
I recommend this experience to any young writer, no matter their genre. I’m honored to know the good people at The Alabama Baptist.
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