Get a Crash Course in Writing From 20 Journalists
I only remember one practical writing lesson in the three years I studied as an English speaker: whenever you can, put your best passages at the end of a sentence. Place the next best pieces at the beginning and place the rest in the middle. This trick works in all types of writing, and I’d like to spend my college years learning more of these tricks instead of pretending to be reading The Brothers Karamazov .
Writing is one of the easiest skills to learn without paying college tuition. You might want to start a good place with this collection of writing tips from twenty well-known journalists . Meta filter user not_the_water has compiled tips from articles, online courses, podcasts, live performances, and booze . Some highlights:
- Thief of the Orchids author Susan Orleans onfinding ideas for stories : “The percentage of ideas you pursue [versus those that you think will work as a story doesn’t have to be high. It’s actually great to practice following the idea and saying, “It won’t work.”
- Pulitzer winner Anne Hull on Writing About Culture as an Outsider : “Remember the language of distancing that appears in most newspaper articles. Set a goal for intimacy. As a reporter, be physically present to testify and take into account at least three hours. “
- “Girl in the Window” writer Lane DeGregory on finding secret editors : “Finding people you admire, whether they are writers or editors or not, is very important, especially if you don’t trust or respect the person who was assigned to you.”
- New Yorker “Talk of the Town” Lillian Ross on expressing opinions : “Your point of view should be implicit when choosing facts and quotes in your report … If you have something to say about the world, about life, look for a way to say it, without making a speech. “
- Slouching over to Bethlehem, author Joan Didion on editing along the way : “When I finish work at the end of the day, I look at the page I made that day and tag it. And then in the morning I make the amendments, which gives me the opportunity to start the day. “
- Criminal justice reporter Beth Schwarzapfel recounts anecdotes in dry facts : “I consider them raisins in oatmeal or signs people hold in the fields of a marathon. These are little surprises or portions of pleasure that remind people what they are reading and why it matters. “
Certain themes run throughout: storytelling needs character and tension. Collect story ideas everywhere and store the file. Make those around you comfortable and allow yourself to come into their lives. Find interesting details that can serve as iconic examples. Write as if you are telling a story to a friend.
While this advice is especially aimed at journalists, like this old sentence structure trick, it applies to all types of writing. And unlike my English, it’s free.