Marcos Breton

On Tuesday, November 18, 2008 the column writing class I am enrolled in was visited by yet another guest speaker. But this one was different. Cocky, but not in a haughty, "bow-down-to-the-established-journalist" sort of way. Instead, in a way that was, although rough around the edges, very comforting to a bright eyed student with actual hopes and dreams.

The other guest speakers we had didn't necessarily condone us, or look down on us, but after their predictions of where our industry was going, it seemed like the undercurrent of their speeches had a theme that said something along the lines of "GET OUT WHILE YOU STILL CAN!"

The large, uncomfortable horse pill that is Marcus Breton in all it's awkward glory and spender spilled, what seemed like, the most genuine, upfront advice I think I have ever received in my four years at this institution. The longer the small, but potent dosage of wisdom sits in my brain, the more it sinks in and waters the parched fields of my journalistic passions.

Breton is a flicker of gold in a world and industry clouded by muddy predictions. He seems to be the only person I've met, journalist or not, that says what he means and means what he says.

In a book I've been reading recently called "Blue like Jazz", the author is speaking about a friend he met, saying "Andrew is the one who taught me that what I believe is not what I say I believe; what I believe is what I do." And to me, Breton has lived up to this in his journalistic endeavors.

Before suiting up to write for the Sacramento Bee, Breton attended San Jose State University and wrote for the school newspaper. He interned at the LA Times, and went on to work at the San Jose Mercury News. He has spent 22 years in the business and has written a couple books, including an autobiography on Sammy Sosa.

Breton wrote at the City desk at the Bee and shortly after, wrote a bit in sports, finally ending up with his column. He plans on staying here for as long as he can.

And after his short synopsis of his career, he asked if we had any questions regarding just about anything.

Among such advice, one student asked if he still had trouble writing his columns and he responded, "Every single one is like pulling a bowling ball out of my ass".
Another asked about how he writes his columns. He replied, "A column has to tell you something". He mentioned that one of the biggest myths about writing columns is that you don't have to report or use sources. He mentioned that when he talks to people, he doesn't necessarily want the person's quotes, but more so their insight into subject matter.

And before he left, gave us some insight of his own for us to digest. "I always liken this job to being an NFL football player. If your afraid of jumping in the pile, then don't get involved in the game."

Couldn't have said it better...