Search results for “so you want to write a book”

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“Why’s this so good?” No. 29: Andrea Curtis and the rhythm of mercy

“Why’s this so good?” No. 29: Andrea Curtis and the rhythm of mercy

As a rule, I’m not one of those readers who flips ahead to the last few pages of an article or book before committing myself to reading it. I like…
January 24, 2012
“Why’s this so good?” No. 28: Vanessa Grigoriadis on Britney Spears

“Why’s this so good?” No. 28: Vanessa Grigoriadis on Britney Spears

There’s a video of Britney Spears shot in 2007, not long after Valentine’s Day. She’s pacing around a tattoo parlor, where she’s just gotten a pair of bright red lips…
January 17, 2012

“Why’s this so good?” No. 26: Moehringer KO's a mystery

The hell with my lede. Let’s start with his: I’m sitting in a hotel room in Columbus, Ohio, waiting for a call from a man who doesn’t trust me, hoping…
January 3, 2012
“Why’s this so good?” No. 23: William Langewiesche’s voice of experience

“Why’s this so good?” No. 23: William Langewiesche’s voice of experience

I’ve never met William Langewiesche, and I don’t know many of his secrets, but I know he and I have at least one thing in common: We’re guided by the…
December 6, 2011
“Why’s this so good?” No. 22: Hank Stuever on 9-ish

“Why’s this so good?” No. 22: Hank Stuever on 9-ish

There are two stories from the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, that to me remain better than all the others. R.W. Apple wrote a news analysis that ran on…
November 29, 2011
“Why’s this so good?” No. 21: Neal Stephenson’s plot-free adventure story

“Why’s this so good?” No. 21: Neal Stephenson’s plot-free adventure story

For one thing, it’s 42,535 words long. This lets you know that you’re into Serious Business right there, before you even get started. Then comes the opening, torn straight from…
November 22, 2011
November Editors’ Roundtable: GQ's close-up on the people who bring you breakfast (and lunch, and dinner)

November Editors’ Roundtable: GQ’s close-up on the people who bring you breakfast (and lunch, and dinner)

Our November Roundtable looks at “Hecho en América,” by Jeanne Marie Laskas. Laskas immerses herself in the world of migrant workers picking blueberries in Washington County, Maine, and illuminates the…
November 17, 2011
“Why’s this so good?” No. 20: Mr. Weschler's magic cabinet

“Why’s this so good?” No. 20: Mr. Weschler's magic cabinet

Magic and writing tricks differ in at least one happy way: A writing trick’s delights only increase once you see through the sleight of hand.In “Inhaling the Spore,” writing about a…
November 15, 2011
“Why’s this so good?” No. 15: Michael Lewis’ Greek odyssey

“Why’s this so good?” No. 15: Michael Lewis’ Greek odyssey

Last October, with the Greek bond crisis emerging as a danger to the European economy, Michael Lewis wrote a piece for Vanity Fair about an order of monks accused of…
October 11, 2011
“Why’s this so good?” No. 14: Sandra Cate on DIY cooking in a county jail

“Why’s this so good?” No. 14: Sandra Cate on DIY cooking in a county jail

Freed from the captivity of home cookery and the rarefied practice of restaurant criticism, food is now a legitimate lens for thoughtful cultural journalism. It’s also a massive revenue generator…
October 6, 2011