Narrative News

Legendary writer John McPhee to a student: “I don’t create the writer. At all.”

What makes him such an effective teacher? He doesn't try to teach.
Welcome to pizza, potluck and a story potlatch

Welcome to pizza, potluck and a story potlatch

I’m writing this from a mash-up of a magazine newsroom in Bucharest. The walls are smelly and stained from a recent flood in the apartment above. Desks are cluttered with…
Altered states of storytelling at the L.A. Times Festival of Books

Altered states of storytelling at the L.A. Times Festival of Books

Possbilities are vast, but in the current media climate, it is hard to feel complacent about the technological manipulation of reality when its potential disruption is so easy to imagine
The Power of Narrative conference captures the #MeToo zeitgeist

The Power of Narrative conference captures the #MeToo zeitgeist

With writers like Roxane Gay, the Globe's Sacha Pfeiffer and The New York Times' Emily Steel, the yearly gathering focused on the uncomfortable truths of sexual abuse
Some legends of longform on the stories we need next

Some legends of longform on the stories we need next

Susan Orlean, Pamela Colloff and other journalism heroes talk about why they think narrative is worthwhile, and what inspires them in grim times
Want to read some of the best literary journalism of 2017? We've got you covered

Want to read some of the best literary journalism of 2017? We’ve got you covered

A weekly roundup of some favorite things, for your reading and listening pleasure
The power of historical nonfiction: "Let me tell you what happened right on this spot a long time ago"

The power of historical nonfiction: “Let me tell you what happened right on this spot a long time ago”

A weekly roundup of some favorite things, for your reading and listening pleasure
Reporter Tom French and "the three most beautiful words in the English language: What happens next?”

Reporter Tom French and “the three most beautiful words in the English language: What happens next?”

In a remarkable speech at the recent Power of Storytelling gathering in Romania, the Pulitzer-winning writer is true to the conference's name
For Halloween week, supernatural podcasts and the haunting of Joan Didion

For Halloween week, supernatural podcasts and the haunting of Joan Didion

A weekly roundup of some favorite things, for your reading and listening pleasure
The Joan Didion documentary: a nephew's loving portrait of "a cool customer"

The Joan Didion documentary: a nephew’s loving portrait of “a cool customer”

The Netflix film is touching but not sentimental, revealing her ability to be a seemingly dispassionate observer -- as a reporter and also a grieving widow