C O O K I E S & I C E C R E A M

Today I interviewed the general manager of a place in downtown Hattiesburg called: Bianchi's Pizzeria. Originally, I was supposed to be doing a story on a lot of different downtown eateries. But, after going to Bianchi's I realized that pizza just needed way more room to talk.

I called and asked to interview someone (over the phone) about the story and, while talking to him, he asked if I had ever been there. I hadn't, he then proceeded to convince me to come in and S E E the place before I did the story. I could tell, just by the way he was talking and his excitement, that I should.

I got there feeling nervous and unsure of what to do. I was supposed to have a photographer with me but things fell through so I was alone, at night, while the whole world was listening to god speak over Hattiesburg about Seymour and the footballers.

My awkwardness didn't stop Charles from telling me all he could about Bianchi's. He showed me the kitchen, the photos of the family that owned the restaurant. All their freshly-made ingredients and dishes, even how they made their cookies and ice cream.

I was especially impressed by their ice cream and cookies, so I wanted to try some. They use the recipe their grandmother used and her cookie iron! So, anyways, I asked and they G A V E me some. G A V E. I was like, really? (Perks?) And C O K E. It was intense.

I'm really happy things happened this way. I'm excited to finish this story and start my series on downtown eateries. These places have character, they care about their patrons--I don't know if people just aren't aware of that, or they don't care. But, I'm going to tell people. And, if I need to, I'll make them care.

"We want to stay here in downtown Hattiesburg, [because] we want to create jobs to reinvigorate Hattiesburg, and Mississippi... We want to give people a unique pizza experience," Charles general manager of Bianchi's Pizzeria.

I N T E R V I E W T I P S F R O M M E R Y L

- Don’t ever ask “yes or no” questions.

- Try not to compound questions (1 question at a time)

- Make sure you know what you’re talking about
* Make sure you prep yourself about the subject

- Write the entirety of the interview (Regardless of whether or not you have a recorder)

- Remember to try to dress properly (According to the occasion/person)

- Don’t feel like you have to have words going all the time
*Silences have a way of making other people feel awkward, make them want to fill the silence

- Make sure you always give them a contact number, if they have more information they can call you

- When you’re starting you should explain exactly what your interview is about
* Make sure your source can be prepared

- Pose awkward questions in a way that makes it seem that you’re trying to pose them in a positive light
* Don’t be accusing with question

- Get on their side, become a vessel for them to present information to the public

- Don’t burn your bridges

S L E E P I N G W I TH F O N D U E

WANTED: sponsor for budding writer and journalist. Must have money. Needed, someone to afford trips to other countries (for inspiration), schooling (for learning), and supplies (like pasta and sushi). Apply below.

I guess Daniel Bitch and I are similar. Because I get up too early for classes too. But, it's SO much better than the alternative.

Tydee is still asleep. And I want to wake him up and make him kiss me and be sweet. But, I can't describe accurately how adorable he is when he's sleeping. It's like, I don't even, it's like chocolate fondue and puppies.

The paper comes out today. (TUES&THURS) Last time, I was page ten, this time page three.

Page one is in sight. I get a lot of stories. And Sam said I'm the most reliable. That makes me happy. I have a lot to do. I'm so scared I'll forget to do something. AH. College is stress.

Article numero 2.
Like, comment, Tweet, and post!
:3

Check out my article in the Student Printz here.
Don't forget to register on the site to be able to leave comments!
"Like" with Facebook, Retweet to Twitter, or blog to your friends!
Thanks, guys :)

A L O O K B E Y O N D T H E B A S E M E N T

For more pictures and the story: be sure to check out the next issue of Student Printz!

P R O C E S S

For those of you curious, this is my writing process:

USM student:Marcus Howell, a Hattiesburg, Mississippi artist, studied studio art at Jones County Junior College, Louisiana College in Alexandria, LA, and now attends the University of Southern Miss. Howell is a senior working towards his Interdisciplinary Studies degree in Studio Art, Design, and Fashion Merchandising. His art includes vibrant colors of ink on canvas with a collection of famous iconic portraits illustrated in abstract realism. A combination of classic images, sparkling color, and loose strokes will literally “draw” you in. He also offers original framed photography with a fresh and unique outlook on life and beauty. Jennifer Bennett is a plush artistKevin the collage artistWill Brooks the pop art cubist (See about emailing or calling each of the artists:

{{}}

What made you want to be involved in SFC?Were you previously interested in comic-inspired art?Who’s your favorite superhero?How has being involved in the store benefited you?)

{{}}

What made you want to open SFC?What do you think makes SFC different than other comic book stores?What would you say to people how aren’t interested in comics (to get them to come to the store)?Do you think you would ever want to write comics or do comic-inspired art?What goals do you have for the store?Would you prefer to keep the amount of artists in your shop a smaller number or are you looking to expand on that?What can you tell me about the process that goes into choosing artists for the shop?How do you choose which comics to include in the store?What are your top selling comics so far?What’s one thing that people seem to really enjoy about your store?Are there any events in the store coming up that you think people should know about?Who is your favorite superhero?Do you think Hattiesburg needs a superhero? And if so, what would they be called and what would their powers be?What do you think comics are really made of, and could they be fried (would they be tasty?)

M Y F I R S T F E A T U R E

I'll be writing a story this week on a comic book store in downtown Hattiesburg. It's legitimately the coolest place I've ever been to in Mississippi. I'm really excited about it and I hope you guys all check it out (especially after reading my story). It's newly opened and has a really great selection of comics and comic-type things (for those of you more into the visual appeal of comics than the stories themselves). I'll actually be interviewing the owners on Thursday (and essentially writing it up then as well) so I hope to have a link up to the story on the website soon and if it goes to print I'll let you know. :)


I got an Angel single from there today and saw some really cool L O C A L art. You guys should fer sure stop by and buy some comics, or stickers, or plushies. :3


BTW, he ordered Buffy singles. I'll be back there so frequently.

Just wanted to let you all know what's up in the writing world of Ashlyn.
That's what's up.

P R I N T Z A N D P R I N T Z E S S E S

I just got back from my retreat with The Student Printz at Black Creek in Lumberton. It was so fun, we all had a lot of similar ideas and agreed on most goals and changes. It was exciting to get to know everyone and see what they had to offer the paper, I'm really anxious about writing my first story and seeing it in print. Being a part of the paper feels like such an honor. I really like the other staffers and I think Sam is going to be a really good Editor.
We had a lot of fun playing the ice breaker games and eating donuts and sandwiches. I'm so happy we get to use nice cameras and can rent recorders. I can't wait to see what my assignment is. I really hope people stay as enthusiastic as they seemed today. I was a little put off by some of the girls' attitudes towards making time for the paper and writing stories. They had very overdone (cliche') ideas and seemed kind of flippant about the whole day. I think their enthusiasm will die down as soon as real work needs to be done.
Apparently, we need to generate more interest in the Printz's website, so I'm going to try to do that. We have a Facebook and Twitter too, but they don't really use them. I wish I was in charge of social networking the Printz. I would be so ballin'. But, I'm new and a baby so I probably can't do something that cool. But, I'll try my best to use my own networking to benefit the Printz in whatever way I can. And I'll link all my stories from here so you all can click them to read them on the website. Also, comment if you ever need me to reserve a copy, we print 5,000 copies of each issue once, and they're archived on the website. But, if you want a tangible copy let me know and I can see about mailing you one. :)
I'm really excited.