The thought of working for government fills some writers’ hearts with terror. “Work within a bureaucracy? Have my words and imagery dulled down and bowdlerized by the forces of unimaginative conformity? Never!”
That’s the stereotype… but as Sally Kearns points out over on the Washington Speechwriters Roundtable, the stereotype is often far from reality. She offers a ringing defence of speechwriting in the public sector:
Once I interviewed for a speechwriting job with a Fortune 50 company. After a day’s interviewing I reached the inner sanctum of one of the top executives. We had a very civilized conversation, sunk deep into comfortable chairs.
In the lull of this subdued, but carefully orchestrated interview, the executive asked me a question I’ll never forget.
“You’ve been in Washington, writing about public policy and issues that affect the country,” he said.
I nodded, hoping this helped my prospects.
Then he uttered the decisive words.
“So, why do you want to write about snack foods?”
