Search results for “why's this so good”

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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
The theme of the week is death, so it's time to listen to a little Al Green and feel better

The theme of the week is death, so it’s time to listen to a little Al Green and feel better

Just in time for the weekend, here’s a little list of some of the things I’ve been listening to and reading this week, some of it online — Storyboard included,…
December 2, 2016
Celibates and e.e. cummings and "Creep" -- a weekly roundup of some favorite things, for your reading and listening pleasure

Celibates and e.e. cummings and “Creep” — a weekly roundup of some favorite things, for your reading and listening pleasure

Just in time for the weekend, here’s a little list of some of the things I’ve been listening to and reading this week, some of it online — Storyboard included,…
June 24, 2016

Why’s This So Bad? Confirmation Bias and Failed Narratives

There’s a scene in Evelyn Waugh’s scathing journalism send-up “Scoop” where Wenlock Jakes, the world-beating American reporter (based on John Gunther of the old Chicago Daily News), is sent to the…
March 11, 2016
Writing the book: Jason Fagone and 'Ingenious'

Writing the book: Jason Fagone and ‘Ingenious’

I got the deal to write my first book, Horsemen of the Esophagus, in the spring of 2005. I’d been out of college for four years at that point, writing…
December 12, 2013

“Why’s this so good?” No. 75: Dan P. Lee and the father who lost everything

My estimable friend and former colleague Paul Kix recently wrote a column in this space on John Jeremiah Sullivan. In it he cited an essay Sullivan wrote about the art…
April 9, 2013
“Why’s this so good?” No. 12: Ian Frazier digs into piggery

“Why’s this so good?” No. 12: Ian Frazier digs into piggery

Environmental journalists often feel married to the tragic narrative. Pollution, extinction, invasion: The stories are endless, and endlessly the same. Our editors see the pattern and bury us in the…
September 20, 2011
Story seeds from the garden

Story seeds from the garden

By Jacqui BanaszynskiEnjoy an end-of-summer delight, courtesy of Ashley Lodato, a columnist for the Methow Valley News in the far north Cascades of Washington state. Lodato’s writing has caught our…
September 6, 2023
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

When I’m working with writers on their nut grafs — and when I’m struggling with some version of a nut graf of my own — I seek guidance in examples…
October 21, 2021
An emotional award for Sally Jenkins after a lifetime of awards

An emotional award for Sally Jenkins after a lifetime of awards

A lame inside joke in many of the newsrooms of America: The sports department is also referred to as “the toy department.” After all,  the coverage focuses on games.Until you…
March 17, 2021