Longform Episode 579: Kelsey McKinney
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May 15, 2024 Features writer Kelsey McKinney discusses the challenges of a creative career, balancing job duties with creative work, importance of studying successful creatives, and the evolution of her writing styles. She also talks about her upcoming book on gossip, career transitions, struggles with memory recall, and the growth in handling criticism. McKinney delves into her podcasting journey, embracing the role of a podcast host, and maintaining creative autonomy amidst external pressures.
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Thrown Into Editing Early
- Kelsey described being recruited into the Daily Texan by being taken to lunch and promised festival badges.
- She discovered the job demanded 45 hours a week and a 27-person staff, which taught her on-the-job editing quickly.
First Full-Time Break In DC
- Kelsey landed a full‑time job at SB Nation’s Project X while still in college for $30,000 and moved to DC.
- She felt thrilled for the break despite it not paying enough to live comfortably in Washington.
Treat Creativity Like A Job
- Kelsey treats a creative career as a job that requires strategy, not only craft.
- She studies others' career moves and copies tactics that let her do desired work within constraints.