Narrative News

A celebration of narrative journalism's differences, and its singular strengths

A celebration of narrative journalism’s differences, and its singular strengths

This week we’re celebrating the things that make literary journalism different from news writing. A focus on felt detail. An embrace of emotion. An acceptance that the decisions made in…
May 19, 2017
Kari Howard
Feeling the facts: making the case for the sensory connection in literary journalism

Feeling the facts: making the case for the sensory connection in literary journalism

If you wanted to do a word cloud of the literary journalism conference I just attended in Nova Scotia, the word “feel” might be the largest image. Then imagination. And…
May 15, 2017
Kari Howard
Literary journalism gets some love, from "Hiroshima" to Shane Bauer's prison exposé

Literary journalism gets some love, from “Hiroshima” to Shane Bauer’s prison exposé

A weekly roundup of some favorite things, for your reading and listening pleasure
May 12, 2017
Kari Howard
Let's celebrate some newsroom heroes: from Gene Roberts to Latina journalists

Let’s celebrate some newsroom heroes: from Gene Roberts to Latina journalists

This was a special week on Storyboard, because we shone a spotlight on some journalists who often don’t get the recognition they deserve. Latina journalists, a minority within a minority…
May 5, 2017
Kari Howard
C.S. Lewis and Tolkien go to see "Snow White," and D.H. Lawrence goes pulp fiction

C.S. Lewis and Tolkien go to see “Snow White,” and D.H. Lawrence goes pulp fiction

Unlikely pairings seem to be a theme this week. Reporting a story under the influence of mind-altering drugs. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien going to see “Snow White” together. D.H.…
April 28, 2017
Kari Howard
America and race: a disturbing undercurrent that runs through our past and present

America and race: a disturbing undercurrent that runs through our past and present

The theme of America and race — and, unfortunately, hatred and even murder — runs through this week’s posts. The Osage Indians who were systematically killed for their oil in David…
April 21, 2017
Kari Howard
Haven't read those Pulitzer winners yet? Here's some great storytelling in this year's batch

Haven’t read those Pulitzer winners yet? Here’s some great storytelling in this year’s batch

This week, journalists had their version of the Oscars (minus the red carpet and catty remarks about who-wore-what). The Pulitzer announcements are always an electric moment in a newsroom.  Back in…
April 14, 2017
Kari Howard
The politics of power: through Billie Holiday's voice and an Iranian blogger's words

The politics of power: through Billie Holiday’s voice and an Iranian blogger’s words

This week has me thinking of the dynamics of power, racial and sexual, governmental and personal. An Iranian blogger who goes to prison for six years for his words. The…
April 7, 2017
Kari Howard
A week where journalism, poetry, fiction and music converge = a dream week

A week where journalism, poetry, fiction and music converge = a dream week

Journalism, poetry, fiction and music all came together on Storyboard this week, so yes, call it a dream week for me. I love seeing how the same skills apply whether…
March 31, 2017
Kari Howard
The Power of Narrative conference: how the tools of poetry can help journalists

The Power of Narrative conference: how the tools of poetry can help journalists

At last year’s Power of Narrative conference at Boston University, the poet Verandah Porche asked Gay Talese which women writers he admired.[pq]“All of us seem to be on the beat…
March 27, 2017
Kari Howard