Articles

The real "talent" behind great writing? Passion and practice

The real “talent” behind great writing? Passion and practice

A writer and editor challenges the notion of born talent, and argues that superior skills are earned through a drive to learn the craft and do the work
Writing practice with a purpose

Writing practice with a purpose

A career journalist ponders the imperfect mastery that comes from daily deadline writing, with a nod to Yoda
Tools and inspiration at your fingertips: The 2022 editor's favorites

Tools and inspiration at your fingertips: The 2022 editor’s favorites

As the year comes to a close, we bring you our version of the best-of lists. We started with the reader’s choice awards: the Storyboard posts that ranked in the…
Sex and cats: The 2022 people's choice awards

Sex and cats: The 2022 people’s choice awards

Analytics measure more and more in our lives. I receive a report every week sending me stats that show how Storyboard posts performed on eight different measures. Eight.Everything seems to…
Compression: It's not just for socks

Compression: It’s not just for socks

Ads on radio and news sites here in Seattle are promoting “Potted Potter,” a romp of a stage play that retells all seven Harry Potter books — more than 4,000…
Social-change journalism can make "good trouble"

Social-change journalism can make “good trouble”

A Vanderbilt professor wraps up his case for seven reframes of problem-centered story work with a summary of risks and rewards
Making good journalistic trouble, Part VII: Seeing through other moral lenses

Making good journalistic trouble, Part VII: Seeing through other moral lenses

Stories that challenge value judgments and assumptions can help readers reconsider those blamed for and stigmatized for social problems
Making good journalistic trouble, Part VI: Shared responsibility for social problems

Making good journalistic trouble, Part VI: Shared responsibility for social problems

Stories can be framed and reported to show how everyday choices and actions can be connected to oppression and poverty
Making good journalistic trouble, Part V: Expanding perspective and empathy

Making good journalistic trouble, Part V: Expanding perspective and empathy

Stories that explore social issues through a solidarity frame can help readers relate to the people most affected
Making good journalistic trouble, Part IV:  Tracing the cause and effect of social issues

Making good journalistic trouble, Part IV: Tracing the cause and effect of social issues

Stories reported through a "re-specification" frame point to the core origins and ultimate consequences of social problems