Oxford American New South Journalism Symposium

This is the second panel discussion at The Oxford American’s New South Journalism Symposium, which took place at The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Williams Research Center on Friday, September 28, 2012.

The Art of Saying “No”

For some reason, sometimes its hard to say “no.”

As a creative person, you become the go-to person for specific tasks.

Can you design my logo?
Can you whip up this flyer?
Can you put together my website?
Can you draw my new tattoo?

But in reality there are only 3 reasons you should do a project:

  1. You genuinely enjoy it.
  2. There is a legitimate fair exchange – either in the form of money, barter, trade, or exposure.
  3. You believe so much in a project that you are willing to invest your time and talent.

Otherwise you are cheating yourself and wasting valuable time – time you could be using to make your masterpiece.