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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From the Editor

The demands on story craft in crucible times

By Jacqui Banaszynski
July 9, 2024

The editor reflects on the need for the best of journalism in a fraught news environment — and the forces working against it

From the Editor

An imprint of journalistic values

By Jacqui Banaszynski
July 2, 2024

The editor reflects on the lifelong lessons learned at a special time in a special newsroom

From the Editor

Finding pockets of joy in the job

By Jacqui Banaszynski
June 25, 2024

The editor ponders how to support a frustrated young colleague who is discouraged by talk of industry decline

From the Editor

When the story passion burns bright

By Jacqui Banaszynski
June 18, 2024

A visit from a younger writer reminds the editor of the joys and challenges of being immersed in "full story"

From the Editor

What fractals — and obituaries — can teach us about writing

By Jacqui Banaszynski
June 11, 2024

The editor muses on writing "life stories" on the occasion of someone's death, and what it reveals about the layers of authentic storytelling

From the Editor

When the structure makes the story

By Jacqui Banaszynski
June 4, 2024

The editor muses on the difference in story craft between prosecution and defense in the Trump hush-money trial

From the Editor

Remembering Memorial Day ~ and the sparks of fresh stories

By Jacqui Banaszynski
May 27, 2024

The editor urges a consideration of anniversary and holiday events as doorways to original story work

From the Editor

How to nurture an editor-reporter partnership

By Jacqui Banaszynski
May 14, 2024

The editor (and former reporter) reflects on the imperative of knowing and respecting each others' roles

From the Editor

Books are more than their covers

By Jacqui Banaszynski
May 7, 2024

The editor remembers one of her most treasured books, which she will never read but tells a universal story

From the Editor

Journalism awards: Free j-school

By Jacqui Banaszynski
April 30, 2024

Contest winners and finalists, chosen by fellow professionals, demonstrate journalistic standards and purpose, and reflect the times we live in

From the Editor

A time capsule of journalism’s romantic age

By Jacqui Banaszynski
April 22, 2024

The editor visits the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents' Club, where the company is fascinating, the drinks are cheap and the memories are deep

From the Editor

Reverse engineering and story construction

By Jacqui Banaszynski
April 2, 2024

Blueprints, patterns, schematics and other building plans provide a model for building a more effective story with less struggle

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