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A "gratitude alphabet" as writing practice

A “gratitude alphabet” as writing practice

By Jacqui BanaszynskiGratitude is hot. Researchers study its benefits on health, happiness and longevity. Therapists teach it as a grounding activity that puts anxiety in perspective. Philosophers write all manner…
November 28, 2023
Two Native American journalists talk turkey about Thanksgiving

Two Native American journalists talk turkey about Thanksgiving

University of Montana journalist Jason Begay, of the Navajo Nation, talks to Washington Post journalist Dana Hedgpeth, of the Haliwa-Saponi tribe, about living with and correcting history
November 23, 2023
A journalist’s journey into her family story leads to a history of American pie

A journalist’s journey into her family story leads to a history of American pie

EDITOR’S  NOTE: This essay is from the archives. If you celebrate American Thanksgiving, I hope it was grand and that you have some leftover pie.By Dustin RenwickOne Saturday morning several…
November 22, 2023
Taking aim at gun violence coverage

Taking aim at gun violence coverage

By Jacqui BanaszynskiOn Wednesday last week, I had a plan for the newsletter: All manner of tidbits were collecting in a file and it was time to use the best…
November 21, 2023
Peek inside a successful book proposal

Peek inside a successful book proposal

Author Kim Cross annotates the lengthy proposal that landed a contract for the book that revisits the 1993 Polly Klaas kidnapping
November 17, 2023
Nonfiction author Kim Cross breaks down how to sell a book proposal

Nonfiction author Kim Cross breaks down how to sell a book proposal

The narrative journalist details the upside of rejection, the importance of timing, the value of a good agent and the reality of advances
November 17, 2023
Will history be served by email clutter?

Will history be served by email clutter?

By Jacqui BanaszynskiAccording to the adage, people don’t regret the things they did in life — only those they didn’t.I don’t buy it — anymore than I buy the assurance…
November 15, 2023
A newspaper re-embraces print

A newspaper re-embraces print

The Guardian again bets on elegant design, elegant writing and a print publication to showcase the best of in-depth nonfiction journalism
November 15, 2023
The Post-it puzzle of a big writing project

The Post-it puzzle of a big writing project

Author and journalism teacher Mallary Tenore Tarpley uses Post-its and origami paper to outline her reported memoir on eating disorders
November 9, 2023
"...last straws and camels' backs..."

“…last straws and camels’ backs…”

By Jacqui BanaszynskiClichés are to good writing as fill in your preferred cliché here.A student of mine once challenged that notion. She insisted that clichés are a good thing: They…
November 8, 2023