The Shinnston News & Harrison County Journal
SHINNSTON, W.Va. — The Shinnston News and Harrison County Journal, honors, celebrates, and appreciates Jim Hunt’s 500 columns, each offering healthy helpings of fun and good information. We are proud of his contributions and looking forward to celebrating many, many more.
By Jim Hunt for the News and Journal
Each week, after finishing my column for the Harrison County Journal, I email it to the editor and place the Word document in a folder on my computer named "News &Journal Columns." Over time, the file has grown considerably. A few weeks ago, I decided to count all the columns I’d written over the past ten years, and I was surprised to find the number approaching 500. That’s nearly 300,000 words enough to fill six average books. The column appears on the front page, accompanied by a small photo of me that hasn’t changed since I began writing.
I still remember the day Kim Gemondo, then-owner of the News and Journal, called and asked if I would consider writing for the paper. When I inquired, “How often?” he replied, “As often as you’d like.” I’d been thinking about writing a book, so I figured a column would help me develop the habit. I suggested starting weekly, with the option to scale back if needed. But week after week, I got into the rhythm of writing every Thursday evening, and here I am, ten years later, still at it without missing a beat.
Writing the column did indeed help me complete my book, The Amazing Cities: 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City, and a number of my columns even found their way into its pages. Through this process, I discovered the discipline writing requires and the art behind it.
While most of my columns, including this one, are written from the comfort of my La-Z-Boy recliner, I’ve also crafted several on my iPhone while returning from distant travels. I keep a notebook handy, where I jot down ideas for future columns. Not every idea makes it into the paper, but I enjoy having a few simmering—it keeps my mind engaged.
Read more: https://shinnstonnews.com/hunt-column-500-columns/
