Story Craft

2022 Power of Narrative: Ellen Barry on inserting yourself into the story

The New York Times reporter takes on first-person writing in her profile of a mysterious Indian "prince"
April 20, 2022
Joyce Doherty
A key to clear, accessible writing: Familiar analogies to describe the complex

A key to clear, accessible writing: Familiar analogies to describe the complex

Ah, those pesky numbers. Not, we journalists are often told, our strong suit. Or to cite the old and very lame joke: “Jourmalists don’t do math.”And yet we must, especially…
April 8, 2022
Jacqui Banaszynski
So you want to write a book? Part 2: Agents, queries and timelines

So you want to write a book? Part 2: Agents, queries and timelines

Newspaperman-turned-author Bryan Denson shares how he organizes his notes and timelines for books
February 23, 2022
Bryan Denson
So you want to write a book? Part 1: Have a strong story and resilient ego

So you want to write a book? Part 1: Have a strong story and resilient ego

Newspaper reporter Bryan Denson outlines how he went from rejection to multiple book contracts
February 22, 2022
Bryan Denson
Sticking a story together — and nailing the structure

Sticking a story together — and nailing the structure

A top Danish journalist uses a one-word theme and color-coded Post-its to find the path through her stories
February 2, 2022
Line Vaaben
An editor's sensitive guide to interviewing victims of trauma

An editor’s sensitive guide to interviewing victims of trauma

Narrative editor Jan Winburn created a class at the University of Montana focused on "The Worst Day Ever: Writing about Trauma"
January 20, 2022
Jan Winburn
Reconstructing 72 hours of life and death under the "heat dome"

Reconstructing 72 hours of life and death under the “heat dome”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Temperatures in the Pacific Northwest were sitting in the single digits, with rare snow in the cities along the I-5 corridor, as this piece came in for editing.…
January 11, 2022
Stuart Tomlinson
#7 rule of pitching: Prove your skills and your passion

#7 rule of pitching: Prove your skills and your passion

Pitching a story you want to pursue is not the time to hide your light under that proverbial bushel — or to sell what you can't deliver
November 10, 2021
Jacqui Banaszynski
Nut grafs: Triptych III ~ Sex, Springsteen and late-night rambles

Nut grafs: Triptych III ~ Sex, Springsteen and late-night rambles

EDITOR’S NOTE: Last week and this, we’re offering support to editors and educators for how to guide writers through an effective nut graf — however you spell it and whatever…
October 29, 2021
Jacqui Banaszynski
Nut grafs: Triptych II ~ Pointed questions, including WHOGAS?

Nut grafs: Triptych II ~ Pointed questions, including WHOGAS?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Last week and this, we’re offering support to editors and educators for how to guide writers through an effective nut graf — however you spell it and whatever…
October 28, 2021
Jacqui Banaszynski