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Writing history as we live it

Writing history as we live it

It has become a common refrain in these chaotic times: We’re not just reading history; we’re living it.That’s always been true, I suppose, for anyone living at any time. But…
E Pluribus Unnerved

E Pluribus Unnerved

EDITOR’S NOTE: Headlines on a story often change as the story is updated, or is published on different platforms. That apparently is what happened in a New York Times story…
What happened when a journalist tracked the origins of the rape evidence kit

What happened when a journalist tracked the origins of the rape evidence kit

Most stories about female inventors simply congratulate women for being as capable as men. But Pagan Kennedy, author, podcast producer and New York Times columnist, thinks we need to move…
The fashion critic of The New York Times sees clothing as an extension of culture

The fashion critic of The New York Times sees clothing as an extension of culture

As chief fashion critic and director for The New York Times, Vanessa Friedman has written odes to Karl Lagerfeld and Kenzo Takada — major designers who passed this year —…
How the road led out of and back into journalism

How the road led out of and back into journalism

The Pivot: A young journalist was dumped out of newsrooms, found a new life, then was lured back with better boundaries
"His work is a parable ..."

“His work is a parable …”

Before you think this clause opens to a sentence and story about religion, because it leans on the word “parable,” it doesn’t — unless your embrace of religion, of whatever…
Authenticity and imagery in songwriting, outlaw country style

Authenticity and imagery in songwriting, outlaw country style

Fred introduced me to Jerry Jeff Walker — by that, I mean that Fred sent me home, from the Lone Star State, with two purple CDs, one of which shimmered…
The project pitch that won funding from the International Women's Media Foundation

The project pitch that won funding from the International Women’s Media Foundation

"Don't start from the grant; start from the story," says reporter Ylenia Gostoli
Pitching the IWMF: Focus on undercovered issues, think big and dare to stretch

Pitching the IWMF: Focus on undercovered issues, think big and dare to stretch

For 30 years, the International Women's Media Fund has helped fund women journalists and ambitious projects around the world
Story roots and consequences

Story roots and consequences

Some years ago, I was involved in the edit of a story about children born to developmentally disabled people. In 1927, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld states’ rights to forcibly…