Story Craft

#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
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…
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…
Nut grafs: A triptych of teaching approaches

Nut grafs: A triptych of teaching approaches

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…
Nut grafs: Seven steps to score a winning story structure

Nut grafs: Seven steps to score a winning story structure

A sports journalist now teaches college students how to build a story from the basics up and find the hard-to-hit nut
Nut grafs: Learning from literature, music, movie trailers and "the bones" of stories

Nut grafs: Learning from literature, music, movie trailers and “the bones” of stories

How Pulitzer-winning writer Tom French coaxes summary nut grafs (or sentences) from students and pros: They talk, he listens
Nut grafs (or graphs): How five sentences can help a writer focus

Nut grafs (or graphs): How five sentences can help a writer focus

A freelancer who teaches college journalism leaned on friends, social media, and a simple template to help students find the center of a story
Nut grafs: Getting to the heart of the story

Nut grafs: Getting to the heart of the story

Renowned editor and writing coach Jack Hart urges writers to build stories around a theme statement that establishes meaning and guides structure
Literary Forensics: How to edit (and self-edit) from the inside out

Literary Forensics: How to edit (and self-edit) from the inside out

A simple diagnostic tool can help writers and editors identify patterns that tighten and strengthen copy
How a lifestyle reporter tamed the tiger of Twitter

How a lifestyle reporter tamed the tiger of Twitter

The behemoth of Twitter has been a game-changer for journalism. It has become a tool for breaking stories, making — or breaking — careers, calling attention to issues, and giving…