My favorite part of Whyville is definitely the Whyville Times. The newspaper allows you to express your thoughts and ideas, enrich your writing skills, read what other people have to say, and learn more about the happenings of Whyville and the world. The Times itself has been around for approximately three years, and since then it has grown in so many ways.
If you look to past issues, the size is noticeably smaller. As of present day, more people have grown interest in creating their own articles. So what do people think of the new Times? Last week some articles dealt with unhappy reporters. Some people believe that the quality of the Whyville Times is decreasing. To be honest, I feel the same way. Lately, I have been reading articles that are a few paragraphs long and didn't receive any information out of them. They don't make me think. The topics themselves have gone downhill, concentrating on things such as how the Times Editor needs assistance, to the colors of citizens' hair. Topics where the answers seem generally well-known.
One thing that I have to comment on is that the new sections are often refreshed and composed. I have to admit that I do believe that they are a good idea. Since the Times receives more submissions than can be incorporated into one newspaper, sections allow more articles to be included. And I believe that more is good.
However, I don't understand what type of mood or atmosphere the Editor and other City Workers are striving for when they publish the Times. Perhaps more light-hearted articles will reflect the minds of younger citizens. Articles which require more thinking and concentrate on a deeper subject matter may be geared towards older Whyvillians. Lately, I have been aiming to get articles published that include topics such as homosexuality, anorexia/bulimia, and help articles for obstacles that teenagers face everyday. These are the articles that will benefit people at a deeper level.
On the other hand, some people just don't want to hear about these things. It is touchy to publish an article that talks about being gay and having to deal with it. Although I understand that I might receive much unwanted publicity for creating them, I do it anyway. I want to help, teach, and inspire.
The Whyville Times is supposed to last a week (or two weeks if in fact the newspaper that week is a double-issue), but the majority of the time, it lasts me a few minutes. I look forward to additional sections in the Times, regardless of the actual writing content in the article itself. Perhaps I have to prioritize my time to make it last longer. But it is difficult when there are several articles that you are just itching to read.
Many of Whyville's citizens (such as myself) write each week. Why? Because we love to give back, you could say and we enjoy writing. I must thank every individual who has given me any type of feedback on the articles that I have written. As a writer, I am pleased to see that people even take the time to check out what I have to say.
Ignore us Times Writers if we seem bitter -- I know Giggler01 and others have written in on this topic before. In reality, we are just old-fogies. Not literally, but subconsciously. We have the best interest of the Times at heart. We take pleasure in creating new articles. Nevertheless, no matter what your perspective is on the new paper, you must admit that the Whyville Times has come far. It has always been there for you at the top of your bus as you enter Whyville. It bounces jovially across the Whyville Square every time a new addition is published.
I will always be thankful for the Times no matter what it metamorphoses into. It is the one thing that actually keeps me on Whyville. No matter what happens, I know I have my writing. But I encourage people to report on topics that have meaning. Actually know and give your own opinions on the subject. I personally don't think that people portray deep emotion on some of the topics that have been introduced. I would suggest researching information on a topic that you are writing about, especially if it is about something outside of Whyville. I know that I have done that several times.
In conclusion, the Times has blossomed into something beautiful that allows its citizen-students to reflect upon and share their opinions of others. It allows voices to be heard regardless. It offers a variety of opinions, concentrates on several Whyville and real-life based issues, keeps people informed, and provides a type of entertainment. The most justified people on Whyville that I have met are the ones who are up-to-date on their current events. Once you read the Times several times, you will be aware of different topics, writers, and opinions, and create some of your own. You will begin to look forward to the next addition as well as some articles by your favorite writers. In one perspective, it will be like a family.
A Fan of the Times,
TIKE
Editor's Note: TIKE submitted this article several weeks ago, and since then I've tried to take into account some of the concerns he and others have expressed. How are we doing, folks? Are you happy with the state of the Times? Or do you want more (or less)?
