I have three advances I want you to read. Look at how they let readers know about upcoming events. The key for these types of stories is to not bore the reader with a basic recitation of what is happening and where. You should try to find a story there somehow.
Little known portrait photographers captured small-town life more than a century ago
Boatload of racers lures spectators to shore
Tractors help cultivate appreciation for country life
Read these stories and then do some research into what campus events you could write an advance about.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Welcome to Feature Writing
Welcome to JDM 320 Feature Writing. I will use this blog to distribute assigned readings throughout the semester. Each week, we will discuss a different type of feature writing, ranging from event advances to service features to profiles. I will post the stories I want you to read sometime the week before we will start discussing them, so bookmark this blog and check it frequently.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Readings for Spring 2011
The Last Patrol, by Brian Mockenhaupt, in The Atlantic
The Runaway Doctor, by Buzz Bissinger, in Vanity Fair
The Dirtiest Player, by Jason Fagone, in GQ
Master of Play: The many worlds of a video-game artist, by Nick Paumgarten, in The New Yorker
Innocence Lost, by Pamela Colloff, in TexasMonthly.com
American Grotesque, by John Jeremiah Sullivan, in GQ
The Biggest Little Man in the World, by Andrew Corsello, in GQ
Growing up Gaga, by Vanessa Grigoriadis, in New York Magazine
The Case of the Vanishing Blonde, by Mark Bowden, in Vanity Fair
How to Fall 35,000 Feet — And Survive, by Dan Koeppel, in Popular Mechanics
Vertigo: At sea with Javier Bardem, by Chris Jones, in Esquire
Eleven Lives, by Tom Junod, in Esquire
Beware of Greeks Bearing Bonds, by Michael Lewis, in Vanity Fair
Believeland, by Wright Thompson, ESPN.com
Roger Ebert: The Essential Man, by Chris Jones, in Esquire
The Brain That Changed Everything, by Luke Dittrich, in Esquire
The Boy Who Died Of Football, by Thomas Lake, in Sports Illustrated
The Runaway Doctor, by Buzz Bissinger, in Vanity Fair
The Dirtiest Player, by Jason Fagone, in GQ
Master of Play: The many worlds of a video-game artist, by Nick Paumgarten, in The New Yorker
Innocence Lost, by Pamela Colloff, in TexasMonthly.com
American Grotesque, by John Jeremiah Sullivan, in GQ
The Biggest Little Man in the World, by Andrew Corsello, in GQ
Growing up Gaga, by Vanessa Grigoriadis, in New York Magazine
The Case of the Vanishing Blonde, by Mark Bowden, in Vanity Fair
How to Fall 35,000 Feet — And Survive, by Dan Koeppel, in Popular Mechanics
Vertigo: At sea with Javier Bardem, by Chris Jones, in Esquire
Eleven Lives, by Tom Junod, in Esquire
Beware of Greeks Bearing Bonds, by Michael Lewis, in Vanity Fair
Believeland, by Wright Thompson, ESPN.com
Roger Ebert: The Essential Man, by Chris Jones, in Esquire
The Brain That Changed Everything, by Luke Dittrich, in Esquire
The Boy Who Died Of Football, by Thomas Lake, in Sports Illustrated
Monday, April 12, 2010
Fatal Distraction wins 2010 Pulitzer for feature writing
Won by Gene Weingarten, whom we are reading this week.
You guys talk about depressing stories. Try reading this one.
You guys talk about depressing stories. Try reading this one.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
This might be uplifting
Jon Sarkin: The Accidental Artist, by Amy Ellis Nutt of the Star-Ledger in New Jersey. This was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize a couple years ago, and is about a chiropractor who had a stroke. After recovering, he found that he had a new talent for art.
You want depressing, I'll give you depressing
Life goes on around body found frozen in vacant Detroit warehouse, by Charlie LeDuff in the Detroit News.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Thomas Curwen interview
Here is a link to a Q & A with Thomas Curwen, author of Waiting for death, alone and unafraid, which was posted on the Nieman Narrative Digest.
We read this story last spring in Feature Writing, and I took the opportunity to e-mail Curwen with some questions about the story, particularly the ending. This is what he had to say:
"Endings are a great conversation point for your class. On the news side (not the narrative side), I’ve always turned to the last grafs of a story, feeling that this was where the writer put some of his/her best material, out of sight of the lede, and the editor’s dogmatic scrutiny of the requirements for starting any news story.
As for the Shneidman piece, the ending was fairly simple. It’s interesting that you like it; the Nieman editors slightly criticized the ending. What were their words? The pacing faltered or something.
But to answer your question: As you know, I wanted to create a day-in-the-life account, and as I was writing, I realized that by around 7:30 p.m. or so, I didn’t have that much new material or insight. So I closed it there – with what Shneidman usually does in the evening: write.
I especially liked the tone of this ending. It gave him power and didn’t present him as someone passively waiting for Death to come knocking on the door. I also felt that it was strong (for being as succinct as it was), and that it would support a little digression beforehand: the late afternoon image of life on the street where the ash trees grow. I wanted that image to convey what we all realize is true: Life goes on, outside, on the street, as usual, but we never know what takes place inside the homes of our suburbs. I liked that contrast; it struck me as especially poignant.
But not all endings, as you know, are simple. If you had a chance to read the links to Ana’s Story, you’ll realize how tricky that particular ending was. Two years into the reporting, I remember turning to the photographer of the story and wondering when we might call it a day on this story. Ana’s third surgery provided a nice crescendo in the action, but I wanted to try to see if and how these surgeries were changing her life. When she said that she was going to apply for citizenship, I thought I saw light at the end of the tunnel.
The first draft ended the story after the swearing-in ceremony with a brief, where-she-is-now coda. But then, as I went through the process of editing the piece, waiting for its pub date, fact-checking it with the family, I received an email from Ana indicating that she was going back to school. That it was cosmetology school was all the more perfect, and that became the kicker. I was very lucky on that one. I had no idea that the narrative arc would hit this final note until just weeks before the story ran."
We read this story last spring in Feature Writing, and I took the opportunity to e-mail Curwen with some questions about the story, particularly the ending. This is what he had to say:
"Endings are a great conversation point for your class. On the news side (not the narrative side), I’ve always turned to the last grafs of a story, feeling that this was where the writer put some of his/her best material, out of sight of the lede, and the editor’s dogmatic scrutiny of the requirements for starting any news story.
As for the Shneidman piece, the ending was fairly simple. It’s interesting that you like it; the Nieman editors slightly criticized the ending. What were their words? The pacing faltered or something.
But to answer your question: As you know, I wanted to create a day-in-the-life account, and as I was writing, I realized that by around 7:30 p.m. or so, I didn’t have that much new material or insight. So I closed it there – with what Shneidman usually does in the evening: write.
I especially liked the tone of this ending. It gave him power and didn’t present him as someone passively waiting for Death to come knocking on the door. I also felt that it was strong (for being as succinct as it was), and that it would support a little digression beforehand: the late afternoon image of life on the street where the ash trees grow. I wanted that image to convey what we all realize is true: Life goes on, outside, on the street, as usual, but we never know what takes place inside the homes of our suburbs. I liked that contrast; it struck me as especially poignant.
But not all endings, as you know, are simple. If you had a chance to read the links to Ana’s Story, you’ll realize how tricky that particular ending was. Two years into the reporting, I remember turning to the photographer of the story and wondering when we might call it a day on this story. Ana’s third surgery provided a nice crescendo in the action, but I wanted to try to see if and how these surgeries were changing her life. When she said that she was going to apply for citizenship, I thought I saw light at the end of the tunnel.
The first draft ended the story after the swearing-in ceremony with a brief, where-she-is-now coda. But then, as I went through the process of editing the piece, waiting for its pub date, fact-checking it with the family, I received an email from Ana indicating that she was going back to school. That it was cosmetology school was all the more perfect, and that became the kicker. I was very lucky on that one. I had no idea that the narrative arc would hit this final note until just weeks before the story ran."
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Class reading list
This is the tentative class reading schedule. Feel free to look at stories before you are actually required to.
Week 1
Kennel Trash, by Kelley Benham, St. Petersburg Times
Week 2
Autonomy, by John Barry, St. Petersburg Times
Body Collector in Detroit Answers when Death Calls, by Charlie LeDuff, New York Times
Week 3
Waiting for death, alone and unafraid, by Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times
Morning in Cedar Key, by Michael Kruse, St. Petersburg Times
Week 4
Final Salute, by Jim Sheeler, Rocky Mountain News
Week 5
On her own two wheels, by Michael Kruse, St. Petersburg Times
Who knows where you'll find love?, by S.I. Rosenbaum, St. Petersburg Times
He's the guy, no ifs, ands or buts, by Lane DeGregory, St. Petersburg Times
Week 6
A squeeze of the hand means yes, by Dong Phuong Nguyen and Thomas French, St. Petersburg Times
Week 7
One man's hunt for the truth behind a $1 million bill, by Todd Frankel, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Week 8
Harry Johns lived his tall tales — and told you about them, by Jim Sheeler, Rocky Mountain News
Loyal friend looked out for others, by Matt Tullis, Columbus Dispatch
Week 9
The Power of One, by Gary Smith, Sports Illustrated
Week 10
The Old White Oak of Matthews, by Elizabeth Leland, Charlotte Observer
Week 11
Pearls Before Breakfast, by Gene Weingarten, Washington Post
Week 12
The lives — and remnants — of others, by Inra Verzemnieks, The Oregonian
Week 13
The girl in the window, by Lane DeGregory, St. Petersburg Times
Week 14
Rolling the Dice on a Warm Night, by Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times
There was this frog in a wings joint..., by Michael Kruse, St. Petersburg Times
Week 1
Kennel Trash, by Kelley Benham, St. Petersburg Times
Week 2
Autonomy, by John Barry, St. Petersburg Times
Body Collector in Detroit Answers when Death Calls, by Charlie LeDuff, New York Times
Week 3
Waiting for death, alone and unafraid, by Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times
Morning in Cedar Key, by Michael Kruse, St. Petersburg Times
Week 4
Final Salute, by Jim Sheeler, Rocky Mountain News
Week 5
On her own two wheels, by Michael Kruse, St. Petersburg Times
Who knows where you'll find love?, by S.I. Rosenbaum, St. Petersburg Times
He's the guy, no ifs, ands or buts, by Lane DeGregory, St. Petersburg Times
Week 6
A squeeze of the hand means yes, by Dong Phuong Nguyen and Thomas French, St. Petersburg Times
Week 7
One man's hunt for the truth behind a $1 million bill, by Todd Frankel, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Week 8
Harry Johns lived his tall tales — and told you about them, by Jim Sheeler, Rocky Mountain News
Loyal friend looked out for others, by Matt Tullis, Columbus Dispatch
Week 9
The Power of One, by Gary Smith, Sports Illustrated
Week 10
The Old White Oak of Matthews, by Elizabeth Leland, Charlotte Observer
Week 11
Pearls Before Breakfast, by Gene Weingarten, Washington Post
Week 12
The lives — and remnants — of others, by Inra Verzemnieks, The Oregonian
Week 13
The girl in the window, by Lane DeGregory, St. Petersburg Times
Week 14
Rolling the Dice on a Warm Night, by Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times
There was this frog in a wings joint..., by Michael Kruse, St. Petersburg Times
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Pulitzer Prizes
The Pulitzer Prizes were announced Monday. One of my favorite writers (and a very nice, humble person) won. Some of you may recognize this story from last semester's advanced reporting class.
The Girl in the Window, by Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times.
Of course, if there was any doubt that the St. Pete Times is by far the best newspaper in the country, when it comes to writing, that doubt was dispelled on Monday. One of DeGregory's colleagues was a finalist for the Pulitzer in feature writing.
Winter's Tale, by John Barry of the St. Petersburg Times. The story is about a rescued baby dolphin that needed a new tail, and got one.
The other two finalists are:
Jon Sarkin: The Accidental Artist, by Amy Ellis Nutt of the New Jersey Star-Ledger. The story is about a chiropractor who suffered a severe stroke following brain surgery and became a wildly creative artist.
Fixing Mr. Fix-it, by Diane Suchetka of the Plain Dealer (that's right, the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The paper had two Pulitzer finalists this year). The story is about a mechanic whose arms were reattached after being severed in an accident.
The Girl in the Window, by Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times.
Of course, if there was any doubt that the St. Pete Times is by far the best newspaper in the country, when it comes to writing, that doubt was dispelled on Monday. One of DeGregory's colleagues was a finalist for the Pulitzer in feature writing.
Winter's Tale, by John Barry of the St. Petersburg Times. The story is about a rescued baby dolphin that needed a new tail, and got one.
The other two finalists are:
Jon Sarkin: The Accidental Artist, by Amy Ellis Nutt of the New Jersey Star-Ledger. The story is about a chiropractor who suffered a severe stroke following brain surgery and became a wildly creative artist.
Fixing Mr. Fix-it, by Diane Suchetka of the Plain Dealer (that's right, the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The paper had two Pulitzer finalists this year). The story is about a mechanic whose arms were reattached after being severed in an accident.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Grizzly Bear Story
Bizarre, gruesome, funny? What do you think of the ending?
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-trw-attackedbyagrizzly29apr29,0,7309450.story?page=1
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-trw-attackedbyagrizzly29apr29,0,7309450.story?page=1
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Endings
Read these stories, and think about the endings. Why do they work? What sets them apart from any other, ordinary ending?
Waiting for death, alone and unafraid (Thomas Curwen of the Los Angeles Times)
About New York; A Gambler Sees Beyond The Jackpot (Dan Berry of The New York Times)
Waiting for death, alone and unafraid (Thomas Curwen of the Los Angeles Times)
About New York; A Gambler Sees Beyond The Jackpot (Dan Berry of The New York Times)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Two stories for Tuesday
The Lives and Remnants of Others, by Inara Verzemnieks of the Oregonian. This three-part story is about a warehouse that collects people's old stuff, and then gives it to others in need.
Body Collector in Detroit Answers When Death Calls, by Charlie LeDuff (he's the guy who wrote the story about the homeless guy found frozen in ice in Detroit). This is part of a series LeDuff did, called American Album, which was about ordinary people around the country.
Body Collector in Detroit Answers When Death Calls, by Charlie LeDuff (he's the guy who wrote the story about the homeless guy found frozen in ice in Detroit). This is part of a series LeDuff did, called American Album, which was about ordinary people around the country.
Fatal Distraction
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Another 25 Things feature
This one is worth reading. It's by Michael Kruse of the St. Pete Times, a supremely gifted writer and a good guy to boot. And he's not even 30 years old yet.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Humor columns
Read these columns for Tuesday's class.
Joe Blundo, from the Columbus Dispatch, on the Super Bowl.
And here is Blundo on the new president.
Nothing beats reading about colons, so here is Dave Barry from about one year ago.
And Barry on the inauguration.
Why don't you all look for a good humor column as well.
Joe Blundo, from the Columbus Dispatch, on the Super Bowl.
And here is Blundo on the new president.
Nothing beats reading about colons, so here is Dave Barry from about one year ago.
And Barry on the inauguration.
Why don't you all look for a good humor column as well.
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