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Chris Jones on reporting for detail, the case against outlining and the power of donuts

Chris Jones on reporting for detail, the case against outlining and the power of donuts

Esquire writer at large Chris Jones came to the Nieman Foundation two weeks ago as part of the Narrative Writing speakers series I started at the foundation last year, and spent a…
December 1, 2011
“Why’s this so good?” No. 22: Hank Stuever on 9-ish

“Why’s this so good?” No. 22: Hank Stuever on 9-ish

There are two stories from the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, that to me remain better than all the others. R.W. Apple wrote a news analysis that ran on…
November 29, 2011
“Why’s this so good?” No. 21: Neal Stephenson’s plot-free adventure story

“Why’s this so good?” No. 21: Neal Stephenson’s plot-free adventure story

For one thing, it’s 42,535 words long. This lets you know that you’re into Serious Business right there, before you even get started. Then comes the opening, torn straight from…
November 22, 2011
Jeanne Marie Laskas on hidden lives, the search for the perfect protagonist, and the joys of long-form

Jeanne Marie Laskas on hidden lives, the search for the perfect protagonist, and the joys of long-form

Our November Editors’ Roundtable looked at “Hecho en América,” a story by GQ correspondent Jeanne Marie Laskas about migrant blueberry pickers in Maine. Laskas’ work has been featured previously on this…
November 18, 2011
November Editors’ Roundtable: GQ's close-up on the people who bring you breakfast (and lunch, and dinner)

November Editors’ Roundtable: GQ’s close-up on the people who bring you breakfast (and lunch, and dinner)

Our November Roundtable looks at “Hecho en América,” by Jeanne Marie Laskas. Laskas immerses herself in the world of migrant workers picking blueberries in Washington County, Maine, and illuminates the…
November 17, 2011
“Why’s this so good?” No. 20: Mr. Weschler's magic cabinet

“Why’s this so good?” No. 20: Mr. Weschler's magic cabinet

Magic and writing tricks differ in at least one happy way: A writing trick’s delights only increase once you see through the sleight of hand.In “Inhaling the Spore,” writing about a…
November 15, 2011

South Dakota to Moscow: Jocelyn Noveck profiles one American’s historic leap

This week, we’ve selected “From Rapid City to the Bolshoi in Moscow, American Dancer Takes Leap into Ballet” as our latest Notable Narrative. Telling the story of rising ballet star…
November 10, 2011
“Why’s this so good?” No. 19: George W.S. Trow covers Sly Stone’s wedding

“Why’s this so good?” No. 19: George W.S. Trow covers Sly Stone’s wedding

It’s hard to think of a single magazine piece that exerts as world-historical an influence upon its genre as Gay Talese’s “Frank Sinatra Has a Cold,” the 1966 Esquire profile…
November 8, 2011
Your brain on narrative: evolution and the story rope

Your brain on narrative: evolution and the story rope

“Our brains are hard-wired for story” is one common argument for why narrative is useful in journalism, in writing, in life. The phrase has always made me uncomfortable, because while…
November 4, 2011
Brady Dennis on “After the sky fell”

Brady Dennis on “After the sky fell”

This week’s “Why’s this so good?” post looked at Brady Dennis’ 296-word story about a toll booth operator’s love for the wife he lost to cancer. The piece ran in…
November 2, 2011