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

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A profile of one family divided by vaccine politics reflects the divide of a nation

A profile of one family divided by vaccine politics reflects the divide of a nation

Peter Jamison of The Washington Post immerses into the emotional chasm of a family struggling with divergent views and a sudden death
November 23, 2021
"It smelled like margarine and white bread, marriage and cramped flats."

“It smelled like margarine and white bread, marriage and cramped flats.”

Writing, at its best, is a visual art. It makes readers see. It paints scenes and action and characters in their minds. Brain science studies indicate that people actually hear…
November 12, 2021
Immersing into the lives of children damaged by gun violence, and laws that don't stop it

Immersing into the lives of children damaged by gun violence, and laws that don’t stop it

John Woodrow Cox of The Washington Post talks to kids like an adult, sits on their bedroom floors, and doesn't push until they're OK with him
November 5, 2021
"That's what writing is, after all the nonsense..."

“That’s what writing is, after all the nonsense…”

Some book purists may cringe at this, but one test of a great book, to me, is how many pages are dogeared by the time I finish. Those are the…
November 4, 2021
50 shades of nuance in a polarized world

50 shades of nuance in a polarized world

As a columnist and a memoir writer, a fundamental question I confront when I begin a piece is this: Do I view and portray this topic as black-and-white, or do…
November 3, 2021
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
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…
October 27, 2021
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
October 19, 2021
Literary Forensics: How to edit (and self-edit) from the inside out

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

Here is a self-editing origin story:I was back from my first truly big reporting assignment, which was to cover the 1984-85 famine in the sub-Sahara. I was exhausted, emotional about…
October 15, 2021
Jim Sheeler's legacy to journalism: Empathy, decency and stories that last

Jim Sheeler’s legacy to journalism: Empathy, decency and stories that last

In late August, Jim Tankersley, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, learned he was going to be the pool reporter following President Biden to Dover Air Force…
October 13, 2021