Story Craft

The art of the narrative interview: Filling in scenic details

A last phase of interviewing is to gather the details that create cinematic scenes written with a distinct POV and camera lens

By Kim Cross • July 25, 2024

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Story Craft

The art of the narrative interview: Sequencing your story

A matrix of spreadsheets and physical calendars can help a writer organize notes, track scenes and visualize a story timeline

By Kim Cross • July 24, 2024

Story Craft

The art of the narrative interview: Finding the story’s arc

To gather the goods for a successful narrative, a central focus of interviewing needs to track the journey of situation or event

By Kim Cross • July 19, 2024

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Strictly Q&A

Effective editing: Trust and Ted Lasso-style cheerleading

By Carly Stern
July 11, 2024

For the ProPublica deputy managing editor Alexandra Zayas, emotional intelligence is as important as journalistic craft skills

Strictly Q&A

Effective editing: Mutual trust and knowing the heart of a story

By Carly Stern
June 12, 2024

For the Washington Post's Lynda Robinson, "The goal is to say ‘yes’ as much as possible and ‘no’ as little as possible."

Strictly Q&A

Effective editing: Word skills, listening skills and people skills

By Carly Stern
May 30, 2024

Story editor Mike Wilson of St. Petersburg, Dallas and New York Times: "You learn a lot of empathy from being an editor." 

Strictly Q&A

What makes an effective editor? Flexibility, mutual trust and chocolate chips

By Carly Stern
May 10, 2024

A new Storyboard series starts with Atlantic national editor Scott Stossel talking about what he brings to stories and writers

Strictly Q&A

Following an unfinished story: A year in the life of a post-Roe family

By Trevor Pyle
March 22, 2024

After Tennessee's strict anti-abortion laws left a pregnant woman and her fetus at risk, ProPublica stayed to chronicle failed promises of a safety net

Strictly Q&A

A first-time war correspondent finds human stories in a devastated Ukraine

By Kim Cross
February 21, 2024

Washington Post reporter Lizzie Johnson volunteered for a Christmas-month rotation in Ukraine, where she filed intimate narratives as well as news

Strictly Q&A

David Grann Part 2: Craft wisdom and breaking into narrative nonfiction

By Katia Savchuk
January 11, 2024

The renowned author shares insights on vetting story ideas, meticulous research and revision, the value of editors and pitching The New Yorker

Strictly Q&A

David Grann Part 1: A deep-dive into “The Wager”

By Katia Savchuk
January 10, 2024

The New Yorker writer and bestselling author — who says he's not a “natural writer” —  shares the research and writing process behind his latest book

Strictly Q&A

When a Pulitzer-winning book is banned

By Carly Stern
January 4, 2024

Robert Samuels' co-authored book about the life and death of George Floyd was labeled inappropriate for students at a Tennessee high school

Strictly Q&A

Jennifer Senior follows a personal trail to undo the erasure of her disabled aunt

By Carly Stern
November 29, 2023

The Atlantic writer uncovers the painful truth behind the treatment of a generation of Americans warehoused in asylums and denied by families

Strictly Q&A

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

By Carly Stern
November 17, 2023

The narrative journalist details the upside of rejection, the importance of timing, the value of a good agent and the reality of advances

Strictly Q&A

Chasing the emotional escape of Dungeons & Dragons on death row

By Trevor Pyle
October 4, 2023

Author and one-time prisoner Keri Blakinger worked through nicknames, bureaucracies and emotional truths to write about gaming on death row

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