“Read, write, live.” Great advice for any aspiring writer to live by.

Three writers from three different walks of life spoke with aspiring journalism students at Bucks on April the 11 a journalism forum held in the Rollins center. Every student hung on every word that each journalist said.

Naila Francis, a feature writer from the Courier Times drew the distinction of being the only primary feature writer on the panel. With a bright smile and even more illuminating attitude toward her work, Naila was more than eager to speak with students about her journey toward journalism.

Students in attendance who were looking to go into feature writing as a primary focus of their profession were all blown away by her work load. “Five to six features a week.” She said to the wide eyed aspiring writers. To hear the journalism students tell it, five features is a lifetime of work.

Francis, a journalist of 16 years has always wanted to be a writer. “I have always loved writing since I was a little girl.” She moved to the states from the Caribbean when she was in the sixth grade and joined her school newspaper with the assistance of an adviser at her school. “I felt like I found my place. I love the interview process and asking things other people haven’t asked.” Francis’s eclectic upbringing and experiences have also led her to write her own column “Life in Lala land.”

Mike Rushton, a contributing editor at sportsnetwork.com primarily works inside of an office. He is definitely the more introverted of the three. “I don’t really like talking to people. I don’t like it.”  He does most of his reporting by phone which suits him well.

Rushton says he does about five to six preview articles a day as he covers all Philadelphia sports. Another thing that distinguishes Rushton from his peers in attendance was that he actually attended Bucks. Now, students can look at him and see that if one Bucks student can do it, why not us? Rushton started out as the layout editor at our very own Centurion newspaper.

Doing mostly online writing, Rushton writes five to six articles a day and also has a weekly column. Not one to mince words, Rushton left these words with his audience, “Not everyone can hit a fastball. Not everyone can write a good feature story. It’s all about how good your writing is.”

Mike Sielski is certainly the most accomplished of the three. As a sports reporter for the Wall Street Journal, his alpha male personality certainly fit his position. The most sharply dressed of the three, wearing a dress shirt and black tie, Sielski had plenty to share about what it’s like to write for the Journal.

“There is never a lack of things to write about in New York. After having to cover the South Bronx, having to talk to Chase Utley isn’t too bad” said Sielski.

Sielski certainly had the most to say and was not afraid to say it. Whereas Francis and Rushton primarily spoke about their workload, Sielski spoke deliberately of the process and competition that goes into being a journalist for the most widely distributed newspaper in the country. “It’s a competitive field and it’s only getting more competitive.” New York suits Sielski’s personality perfectly. “Everyone else better be on their guard” he added.

After spending any significant time with Rushton, Fances, and Sielski, it is easy to see why they are journalists and why they write what they write.

The direct and blunt Sielski belongs in New York. He’s ambition suits him well in the world’s greatest city.

Niela is certainly the free spirit of the group. Her ease with words and warm personality lend well to her feature writing. Her wide arrays of interests also give her column much more substance. Mike Rushton is not a big talker; he loves sports, writes about it, and goes home.

The panel definitely left a mark on their audience.

“It really opened my eyes what journalists structure is” said journalism major Kelly Armstrong.

“It was both encouraging and discouraging” added Armstrong.

Three very different, three very good writers all gave aspiring journalists a small taste of what it means to be a journalist.

Sielski left students with this small nugget, “Soak it all in. It’s real!”