Document: Invite

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Malcolm 2

"Unlike other relationships that have a purpose beyond themselves and are clearly delineated as such (dentist-patient, lawyer-client, teacher-student), the writer-subject relationship seems to depend for its life on a kind of fuzziness and murkiness, if not utter covertness, of purpose. If everybody put his cards on the table, the game would be over."

"Wambaugh was an ex-cop (he was once a detective on the Los Angeles police force), and, maybe even more to the point, he was one of America’s most successful popular writers, who apparently could afford to be blunt (as McGinniss, strapped for cash, apparently could not). “You should understand that I would not think of writing your story,” Wambaugh wrote, and he went on: It would be my story. Just as The Onion Field was my story and In Cold Blood was Capote’s story. We both had the living persons sign legal releases which authorized us to interpret, portray, and characterize them as we saw fit, trusting us implicitly to be honest and faithful to the truth as we saw it, not as they saw it. With this release you can readily see that you would have no recourse at law if you didn’t like my portrayal of you. Let’s face another ugly possibility: what if I, after spending months of research and interviewing dozens of people and listening to hours of court trials, did not believe you innocent? I suspect that you may want a writer who would tell your story, and indeed your version may very well be the truth as I would see it. But you’d have no guarantee, not with me. You’d have absolutely no editorial prerogative. You would not even see the book until publication."

DMU Timestamp: January 05, 2016 22:31

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Jan 10

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (Jan 10 2016 10:07AM) : Wambaugh is putting his cards on the table? Why?

May 6

Ayannah Woods Ayannah Woods (May 06 2016 10:50AM) : Wambaugh is not afraid to release everything, he hides nothing because he's stories are raw. He leaves no "fuzziness or murkiness" in his works.

May 6

George Ocampo George Ocampo (May 06 2016 12:10PM) : Cards on the table more

Exactly. Wambaugh is trying to make it explicitly clear that he is unafraid of telling the story in the way that he sees it. It would be his story, not MacDonald’s. He wants to abandon any idea of MacDonald being able to influence or even see the final product.

May 7

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 07 2016 7:50AM) : Right,though this also means he loses a certain access to Macdonald.

May 13

Ayannah Woods Ayannah Woods (May 13 2016 11:37AM) : MacDonald may in turn not be as forthcoming with his experiences because he knows they will not be told the way he wants them to be.

May 14

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 14 2016 7:53AM) : Right. Macdonald is trying to keep control of his story.

May 7

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 07 2016 7:52AM) : In part this is because Wambaugh comes to his stories with the authority if impressive experience.

May 7

Wenting Wu Wenting Wu (May 07 2016 4:13PM) : wenting wu more

I agreed with Ayannah and Georges’ points, the Wannbaugh is not afraid to tell everything because he wants to be the protagonist of his story. He wants his story to be told in the way he prefers, as Ayannah wrote, he’s story is raw.

May 8

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 08 2016 7:36AM) : Watch out for the typos

May 17

student Venetia Persaud student Venetia Persaud (May 17 2016 4:24PM) : As the professor mentions, Wambaugh may loose access to MacDonald but he stays true to his belief of disclosing everything which in part is admirable.

May 18

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 18 2016 6:56AM) : Lose

May 6

Molly Deng Molly Deng (May 06 2016 3:36PM) : Molly Deng more

I agree with Ayannah about the rawness, that Wambaugh is putting his cards on the table because he wants his story told. But on another note, like in the next question, perhaps he is putting his cards on the table to gain the trust of the journalist.

May 7

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 07 2016 7:56AM) : Maybe

May 10

Elvira Amparo De La Cruz Elvira Amparo De La Cruz (May 10 2016 3:28PM) : he puts his cards on the table because he clearly has nothing conceal, he is going to tell the story. more

“You should understand that I would not think of writing your story,” Wambaugh wrote, and he went on: It would be my story. He wants to make it clear that everything you read is his work and not altered by anyone

May 11

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 11 2016 7:08AM) : Right

May 15

Wenting Wu Wenting Wu (May 15 2016 2:55PM) : wenting wu more

I agreed. I guess being overbearing is one of the unique personalities of his writing. He wants his story wrote in the way he wanted without other opinions.

May 11

Allen Strk Allen Strk (May 11 2016 11:46PM) : Wambaugh more

Wambaugh’s fearlessness is evident from his willingness to tell the story. His perspective needs to be clear from expressing the story in this manner. It’s possible that he wants to gain the trust of the journalist, but its not exactly clear.

May 12

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 12 2016 7:46AM) : He? Wambaugh is a journalist and novelist

May 15

Mr. Itamar Hematian Mr. Itamar Hematian (May 15 2016 1:18PM) : Because Wambaugh is not afraid. Wambaugh has the reputation of doing just so. He wants the world to know that he "says it how it is."

May 18

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 18 2016 6:56AM) : Right. He has a reputation to protect.

May 19

Safiya Sergeant Safiya Sergeant (May 19 2016 11:59AM) : Safiya Sergeant more

He is showing what he’s got, which is moxie and a reputation for not allowing an editors influence?

May 19

Erica Likht Erica Likht (May 19 2016 10:06PM) : Putting your cards down [Edited] more

I think it ultimately comes down to a position of power. Wambaugh can only gain from telling a gritty authentic story but, McGinniss would be taking a big risk. Wambaugh has the power in this situation and can afford to be transparent.

May 20

Jason Zawadzki Jason Zawadzki (May 20 2016 11:50AM) : Wambaugh more

Wambaugh is putting his cards on the table because he has already established a reputation for delivering raw content to readers, so he wants the story to be told his way.

May 20

Anthony Califano Anthony Califano (May 20 2016 6:08PM) : Wambaughis putting his cards on the table because he knows the game is not over. He does not fear of following his gut and writing the way he sees it. Unlike the relationship between a reporter and editor, he doesn't want MacDonald to conform his writing.

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General Document Comments 0

Jan 10

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (Jan 10 2016 10:05AM) : Explain why it would not be good to put all your cards on the table.

Apr 16

Student Rand Shannak Student Rand Shannak (Apr 16 2016 2:21PM) : Rand Shannak more

It any case it’s never a good idea to put all your cards on the table at once as it halts your input and role and you lose your leverage. That leverage is having someone dependent on what you may have left so that you can still utilize them and get the most out of them that you need as possible. Putting down all your cards extinguishes any sense of control or leverage you have in any given situation in which you need something from the “client”.

Apr 17

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (Apr 17 2016 7:21AM) : Right

Apr 18

Molly Deng Molly Deng (Apr 18 2016 12:29PM) : Molly Deng more

I couldn’t agree more with Rand. It’s not good to put all your cards on the table because then, you’d be losing the only leverage you have. There wouldn’t be any incentive for the opposing party to give you anything because they wouldn’t get anything out of the relationship.

Apr 19

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (Apr 19 2016 6:46AM) : But might there be some situations where putting your cards on the table would help? Otherwise how do you earn trust?

Apr 21

Student Rand Shannak Student Rand Shannak (Apr 21 2016 7:20PM) : Rand more

This is also true. While putting your cards on the table will remove your leverage for some journalists taking the risk of getting the trust of their subject is worth the risk of losing the story entirely. This can be a very impressionable move on someone who you need to trust you, but has just as much of the risk of losing the subject and the story entirely.

Apr 22

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (Apr 22 2016 7:19AM) : It can depend on the kind of people you are dealing with. The only way to get information in some circumstances is to offer information.

May 5

student Venetia Persaud student Venetia Persaud (May 05 2016 5:03PM) : Although,it would not be wise to put all your cards on the table, I think that some situations require that you put some of your cards on the table because sometimes in order to get something you need to give up something.

May 6

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 06 2016 8:06AM) : Malcolm would agree.

May 6

Ayannah Woods Ayannah Woods (May 06 2016 10:55AM) : Some interviewees may say "don't put this in or take this part out", the constricts the write from producing everything that was said. If in fact the interviewee reads your work and sees things mentioned that did wanted to omit, this will destroy more

your credibility in the writing world forever.

May 7

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 07 2016 7:54AM) : If you give the interviewee that authority. They can review your work on the understanding that you are the ultimate arbiter of what gets published.

May 13

Ayannah Woods Ayannah Woods (May 13 2016 12:01PM) : This is true as well. The interviewee may also grow to respect the authority of the writer.

May 6

Ayannah Woods Ayannah Woods (May 06 2016 10:53AM) : As listed cases like the lawyer-client relationship, putting all your cards on the table would be helpful. This way the lawyer can better help the person they're defending if they know the complete story.

May 7

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 07 2016 7:53AM) : I'm not sure about the lawyer analogy since lawyers are not interested in the whole story but in building a story that serves their clients.

May 13

Ayannah Woods Ayannah Woods (May 13 2016 12:05PM) : Yes,but maybe there will be a case where the client forgot to mention some dire detail and instead of coming right out with it, the evidence sheds light on that detail. more

Which in return will destroy the lawyers “story” because he did not know about that defying detail.

May 14

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 14 2016 7:54AM) : Maybe so

May 6

George Ocampo George Ocampo (May 06 2016 12:26PM) : Trust more

There is definitely a fine line between being able to obtain trust through exposing yourself and making yourself completely vulnerable and relinquishing any leverage you may have had. In some cases, putting all of your cards on the table could very well have the opposite effect and make you even less trustworthy.

May 7

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 07 2016 7:55AM) : Yes, there are risks involved.

May 12

Student Rand Shannak Student Rand Shannak (May 12 2016 8:02PM) : But sometimes the bigger of a risk you take the bigger the win (in this situation trust and thus guaranteed information)

May 13

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 13 2016 7:53AM) : It all depends on how much of a risk taker you are and if you can cope with the consequences.

May 10

Elvira Amparo De La Cruz Elvira Amparo De La Cruz (May 10 2016 3:47PM) : yes , placing all your cards on the table also may look roofless, clients may not like this behavior

May 11

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 11 2016 7:10AM) : Roofless? What does that mean?

May 11

Wenting Wu Wenting Wu (May 11 2016 10:52AM) : Wenting wu more

I guess the word “roofless” meant less faith worthy. Putting all cards on the table may cause others to question the reliability of the information.

May 12

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 12 2016 7:46AM) : Roofless is not a word. No one would know what you mean

May 13

Ayannah Woods Ayannah Woods (May 13 2016 12:07PM) : I believe the word Elvira meant was "ruthless", which means not showing compassion or pity for others.

May 13

Ayannah Woods Ayannah Woods (May 13 2016 12:09PM) : Which in this case would make putting all your cards on the table, an act of being "ruthless" and not caring about how they affected the subject or writer.

May 14

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 14 2016 7:55AM) : Although putting your cards on the table exposes you, unless you have some very good cards.

May 14

Ayannah Woods Ayannah Woods (May 14 2016 5:18PM) : It does depend on what "cards" you have to offer first.

May 6

Molly Deng Molly Deng (May 06 2016 3:28PM) : Molly Deng more

I agree that there are some situations where putting your cards on the table would help you establish a sense of trustworthiness. But I think there’s a fine line between giving it all away and giving somethings away. I agree it does depend on the situation but I think it’s beneficial to have one or two cards up your sleeve.

May 7

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 07 2016 7:55AM) : It depends on the situation and on the skill of the journalist and on the personality of the interviewee.

May 19

Erica Likht Erica Likht (May 19 2016 10:13PM) : Why it is not a good idea to put all your cards down [Edited] more

I think there are benefits to putting your cards on the table. Just like you said, to earn trust. But sometimes, to unburden themselves from any secrets on either side, the subject or the journalist.

May 15

Wenting Wu Wenting Wu (May 15 2016 3:10PM) : wenting wu more

I agreed with Rand. Putting all cards on the table at once is taking a risk to let the story being untrue. Also, the journalist could not remember every detail so that will cause the writing less truthful. Telling story should take steps and let the listener take processes.

May 7

Wenting Wu Wenting Wu (May 07 2016 4:25PM) : wenting wu more

I wouldn’t say it is a good idea to put everything on the table at once. Just like pouring water into a bottle, pour a large bucket of water all at once will result in the loss of most the water. The same as telling a story, the journalist could not remember every detail so that will cause the writing less truthful.

May 8

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 08 2016 7:37AM) : Not all at once but perhaps strategically

May 11

Wenting Wu Wenting Wu (May 11 2016 10:01AM) : Wenting wu more

Right. telling story should take steps or say it strategically but not all at once.

May 12

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 12 2016 7:47AM) : Right

May 13

Ayannah Woods Ayannah Woods (May 13 2016 12:11PM) : Pouring out too much at once, may rush the read and take away from the value and feel of the story.

May 14

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 14 2016 7:56AM) : True

May 17

student Venetia Persaud student Venetia Persaud (May 17 2016 1:33PM) : Also, pouring out too much could potentially harm you. For one, the other party could use the information you have given to their advantage.

May 18

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 18 2016 6:54AM) : Possibly

May 10

Elvira Amparo De La Cruz Elvira Amparo De La Cruz (May 10 2016 3:36PM) : once you put all your cards on the table. you have no room for movement. all is exposed and there is no way to maneuver. It also somewhat endangers the journalist when trying to effectively build a relationship, but has to [Edited] more

be done sometimes, in order to receive

May 11

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 11 2016 7:09AM) : Unless your cards are so good that everyone else folds and you win.

May 11

Allen Strk Allen Strk (May 11 2016 11:51PM) : Not putting all cards on the table more

It’s a risky approach based on possibly losing power within the subject. You can also lose trust as well by exposing yourself. This approach is best when your prepared and confident about coming out unscathed. Your counterpart may also be offended by the aggressiveness of placing all your cards on the table.

May 12

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 12 2016 7:48AM) : You're. Sometimes taking risks is inevitable. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

May 13

Ayannah Woods Ayannah Woods (May 13 2016 12:14PM) : You can't expect much return if you don't commit to a risk.

May 14

Carl Rollyson Carl Rollyson (May 14 2016 7:57AM) : Yes, though if someone wants their story told badly enough, then the reporter might not have to divulge much.

May 14

Ayannah Woods Ayannah Woods (May 14 2016 5:16PM) : This is true as well, in that case the writer would just have to decide what they think is worth including in their piece.

May 20

Anthony Califano Anthony Califano (May 20 2016 6:11PM) : I agree with you that it is risky but a possible gain could come out of it. You could lost the trust of the other party or you can gain full trust. it is a matter of taking a risk.

May 15

Mr. Itamar Hematian Mr. Itamar Hematian (May 15 2016 1:20PM) : You need it. more

It wouldnt be good to put all your cards on the table because sometimes, as discussed earlier with the moral compass, you might need to pull some “sly” work in order to get the truth out. You want to have weapons in your arsenal in order to complete the story.

May 19

Safiya Sergeant Safiya Sergeant (May 19 2016 12:01PM) : Safiya Sergeant more

In general, when you put all your cards on the table, you cede if any leverage you held previously.

But also you gain some level of trust.

May 20

Jason Zawadzki Jason Zawadzki (May 20 2016 12:18PM) : Putting all cards on the table more

It is not a good idea to put all your cards on the table because you are making yourself susceptible and losing whatever leverage you may have established. Also, by doing this you run the risk of losing the trust of the other party, since the subject’s statements aren’t being used to their fullest potential.

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