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TALKING ABOUT WRITING: FROM FACT TO FICTION WELCOME! I've launched this blog to try to answer some of the questions I'm frequently asked about writing books. If you're new to this site, please read from the earliest date up. That seems to make the most sense to me. And let me know if you have questions!I'm moderating the comments before they are posted--and I hope you'll add to the discussion. Thanks! |
Talking About Writing: From Fact to FictionGoing from Journalism to Writing Books, part 7December 31, 2009
By the time I came to writing "Changing Channels: The Civil Rights Case That Transformed Television," I was a better storyteller. And a good thing, too, because this story could have been sleep-inducing if I based it strictly on documents from the Federal Communications Commission files. But I had learned through experience that, as (more…)
Going from Journalism to Writing Books, part 6December 9, 2009
One book may grow out of another. Once you feel comfortable with the back story of an era or a subject, take advantage of the chance to use that background again.
My editor and I worked together again on "Something for My Children: The History and People of Head Start" about the program for poor children. It grew (more…) Going from Journalism to Writing Books, part 5November 24, 2009
Whether you are writing fact or fiction, you had better love what you are doing because you will be living with it for a long, long time. If it’s a biography you are writing, you are going to have to reveal the blemishes, the flaws, as well as the heroism. If it’s (more…)
Going from Journalism to Writing Books, part 4November 14, 2009
Along with always making one more phone call, I have often told students to be nice to secretaries and clerks. In the first place, it’s polite, but in the second place, they can often provide information or faster access to their bosses. Assume nothing about what their attitudes toward your project will be. (more…)
Gloing from Journalism to Writing Books, part 3November 7, 2009
Unless you are writing a book ripped from the headlines or about an issue that just won’t wait, remember that you have time—far more time than you ever had as a journalist. Use it to interview every person recommended to you, even if some of them turn out to be duds, and (more…)
Going from Journalism to Writing Books, part 2November 4, 2009
I look back now and know that it was fortunate I didn’t write This Little Light of Mine: The Life of Fannie Lou Hamer first. I could never have told that story as well if I hadn’t learned from my experience with my first book. (more…)
But First--Going from Journalism to Writing BooksNovember 2, 2009
But First--Going from Journalism to Writing Books—
“If you stay in the safety zone all the time, you’ll never know about your strength, you’ll never know yourself at your most brilliant.”—Composer and scholar Bernice Johnson Reagon Journalists often have trouble writing books. We look at our subjects too narrowly, we're (more…) Writing: Going from Fact to FictionOctober 31, 2009
Writing: Going from Fact to Fiction
Journalists often carry within their hearts the dream of writing The Great American Novel. Not me. I’d love to do that, of course, but I know my limitations. Besides, I think Faulkner beat me to it. But sometimes when I read mysteries, I think, “I can do that. (more…) |
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