You might not think “witty writing” and “environmental journalism” naturally go together, but this is the unlikely pairing that Charlie Ashford (Australia) made in her piece “Slowing Down Fast Fashion.” Add to that her extensive research and engagement with the topic on a personal level, and the result is the winning entry in our Environmental Journalism Competition.
Read on for Charlie’s thoughts on the importance of translating your passion to readers and how she’s doing her part to reduce the environmental consequences of fast fashion.
Can you tell us about your process for researching and writing this piece?
This was my first time writing an opinion piece. Because of this, it took me a few times to end up with something I was happy with. I read a lot of opinion pieces from the New York Times to get a feel for the style of writing. I also watched documentaries and read articles to ensure my writing was well researched.
We praised your winning competition entry for its “ability to combine the important facts of an urgent issue with entertaining and witty writing.” Why did you take this approach, as opposed to a more somber tone?
I want my writing to be considered by differing perspectives and reach as many people as possible. Jargon and a strictly serious tone can sometimes come across as quite excluding. Tackling a serious issue with entertaining writing not only keeps your audience engaged but also expands the audience of people who want to read your work. More than anything, I love writing. I love writing with passion and voice. That passion really translates to your readers.
The environmental repercussions of fast fashion seem to be something you’re not only tackling through writing but through your personal choices. When and why did this issue become so important to you?
My grandma told me of the economic benefits of purchasing quality clothing early last year. I began researching further into the topic. This made me realise the drastic environmental consequences of fast fashion. I now try to buy all my clothes from charity shops. One of my goals for this year is to avoid purchasing items from fast fashion companies. I’ve had the occasional slip up, but thrifting has really helped make this goal more realistic for me.
What are some of your current writing goals?
I am starting to think more about my career and how my writing fits into it. Because of this, I am trying to step out of my comfort zone with new styles and text types that I wouldn’t usually consider. I also want to take my writing more seriously. It’s easy to get caught up in schoolwork and lose motivation to write. However, writing is something I really enjoy and want to spend more time on.
