General Journalism // Ricochet by Chrys Wu

One of the brilliant things about the Web is that a story can be told many different ways. Earlier this year, British publisher Penguin Group asked six authors to each create an online homage to a notable work of literature. Each tale used a different aspect of Web storytelling as the medium. The result was We Tell Stories.

One tale is told through a map with an embedded Easter egg that leads to a seventh story inspired by “Alice in Wonderland.” (First clue andfull spoiler.)

Another work is designed as an infographic, courtesy of Nicolas Felton, whose annual report has won him fans around the world.

A third is an interactive write-your-own-adventure.

There are six stories on the site. Say what you want about the quality of the writing, but the methods offer a sampling of different ways to engage readers.

After “We Tell Stories” launched, Gamasutra interviewed the project leads, Six To Start, and a representative from Penguin who said the company was excited about creating “a really immersive and engaging storytelling experience.”

When writing for the Web, think about all the ways in which your story can be told. There’s text, of course, but there are pictures, still and moving. Stir in audio, databases and maps, and suddenly there are a rich variety of ways to be pulled into a tale.

A lot of journalists are losing their jobs due to the extreme measures news organizations are taking to preserve their business. It’s painful to read about, and harder still when they’re people you know from an organization you really enjoyed working for.

Los Angeles Times building by mattlogelin/flickr

On Monday, the Los Angeles Times slashed 150 people from the editorial staff and 250 total in a second round of layoffs.

It’s been covered all over. There’s been a lot of anger, much heartache, and some glee.

But journalists by nature are resourceful people, so despite feeling very badly for my former colleagues, let’s look at where they’re headed next.

If you’d like to be included on the “Landing on Your Feet” list below — and you don’t have to be a former Times person to be included — post a comment or drop me a line with your name, where you were and what your plans are.

Update, Oct. 21: The American Journalism Review is conducting a survey to find out where journalists leaving the newspaper business are going. If you haven’t taken it yet, do so.

Update, Aug. 19: The Newspaper Escape Plan was unveiled on Facebook earlier this week. If you’ve been forced out of the business or are thinking of leaving, this discussion group might be for you.

Update, July 24: Thanks to all who’ve emailed privately about this post and asked for places to rant. You’ll find some recommendations here.

InkStainedRetch, who blogs at TellZell, posted the Times severance package on Scribd.

Tom Paegel, former LAT night city editor, is offering financial coaching to Times staffers who’ve recently lost their jobs. Contact him by email to make an appointment.

LAT environmental reporter Marla Cone will lead a foundation-funded environmental reporting organization TBA.
*Copy editor Karin Esterhammer is going to Vietnam to teach English, according to a post on LA Observed.
*Bill Lobdell will blog about Orange County, Calif., at Lobdell’s O.C.. His opening salvo, “42 Things I Know,” was picked up by LA Observed and Romenesko. HarperCollins will release his book, “Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America,” in February. Lobdell, a former LAT Orange County edition reporter, is doing freelance work and can be contacted by email.
Assistant sports editor Alex Kimball becomes senior editor covering the NFL at ESPN.com.
Graphic designer Amy Martin is offering to redesign laid off colleagues’ resumes while she decides her next move, she tells graphicdesignr.
Legal reporter and editor John Spano will be an associate at the law firm of Kiesel, Boucher & Larson in Beverly Hills, Calif., according to a post in LA Observed.
Henry Weinstein joins the law faculty at the University of California-Irvine. An earlier version of this post had erroneously named Larry Stewart. Stewart is looking for freelance work, according to a July 17 “AirTalk” interview on KPCC.

Photo: mattlogelin/Flickr

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