Synopses & Reviews
From the work of the New Journalists in the 1960s, to the New Yorker essays of John McPhee, Susan Orlean, Atul Gawande, and a host of others, to blockbuster book-length narratives such as Mary Roachand#8217;s Stiff or Erik Larsonand#8217;s Devil in the White City, narrative nonfiction has come into its own. Yet writers looking for guidance on reporting and writing true stories have had few places to turn for advice. Now in Storycraft, Jack Hart, a former managing editor of the Oregonian who guided several Pulitzer Prizeand#8211;winning narratives to publication, delivers what will certainly become the definitive guide to the methods and mechanics of crafting narrative nonfiction.
Hart covers what writers in this genre need to know, from understanding story theory and structure, to mastering point of view and such basic elements as scene, action, and character, to drafting, revising, and editing work for publication. Revealing the stories behind the stories, Hart brings readers into the process of developing nonfiction narratives by sharing tips, anecdotes, and recommendations he forged during his decades-long career in journalism. From there, he expands the discussion to other well-known writers to show the broad range of texts, styles, genres, and media to which his advice applies. With examples that draw from magazine essays, book-length nonfiction narratives, documentaries, and radio programs, Storycraft will be an indispensable resource for years to come.
Review
and#8220;When I think back on what I have learned about storytelling over the last 30 years, the trail of memory leads back time and again to Jack Hart. No one has done more to inspire better narrative writing in America.and#8221;
Review
andldquo;Instructive and essential, reading
Storycraft is like finding the secret set of blueprints to the writer's craft. Better still, it is engaging, funny, and wiseandmdash;wonderful to read and wonderful to learn from.andrdquo;
Review
and#8220;In
Storycraft, Jack Hart vividly explains a lifetime of valuable lessons in nonfiction narrative. For all the celebrity star power he brings to this book, his introduction makes the topic welcoming and accessible to students and reporters who may be new to the subject. And he practices what he preaches; this book entertains the reader. Itand#8217;s like listening to Mark Twain on how to tell a story.and#8221;
Review
“Jack Hart was hands-down the best narrative editor ever to work in newspapers.”
Jon Franklin, author of Writing for Story and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner
Review
“Id tell you that I am the best writing coach there is—if I didnt know Jack Hart.”
Bruce DeSilva, former Associated Press writing coach, author of Rogue Island
Review
"If you have any interest in trying to craft the kind of narrative nonfiction practiced by the likes of John McPhee, Mary Roach, Tracy Kidder, Susan Orlean and Erik Larson, this is a book for you. . . . It offers any nonfiction writer, and freelancer, concrete ways to think about a topic, visualize the most interesting way of presenting its narrative arc, and organize most effectively the presentation of material."
Review
andldquo;The importance of understanding and utilizing established methods of narrative writing is emphasized throughout the book (structure, point of view, voice and style, setting, scene construction, interviewing), but Storycraft transcends typical writers guides through Hart's insights to what story is and how human nature determines the fundamentals of any well-written story. Rather than confine his scope to how to write well, Hart makes a case for why one should write well.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;Jack Hart's new book is quite remarkable. . . . It's the story of how to succeed. . . . How to make your mind observe, how to put your observations into words, how to turn reporting into vision and words into power. . . . Read it. It speaks for itself.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;Despite a career focused on the world of journalism, the author demonstrates much insight into the canon of more andquot;literaryandquot; creative nonfiction by choosing sound examples that are both accessible and widely acclaimed. . . . This book can function as both a practical introduction to narrative nonfiction and a concise refresher for professionals.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;For me, [Hartandrsquo;s] book's appearance was fruitful timing, not unlike finding a new recipe the morning of a dinner party and realizing all the ingredients are in your pantry. Hart's
Storycraft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction fortified me. It underscored lessons I thought I'd already mastered, prompting me to think deeperandmdash;and talk to my editors moreandmdash;about the importance of theme.andquot;andmdash;
Nieman ReportsReview
and#8220;Jack Hart was hands-down the best narrative editor ever to work in newspapers.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;Iand#8217;d tell you that I am the best writing coach there isand#8212;if I didnand#8217;t know Jack Hart.and#8221;
About the Author
Jack Hart is a former managing editor and writing coach at the Oregonian. He received the first National Teaching Award from the American Society of Newspaper Editors and and#160;a University of Wisconsin Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to journalism, has taught on the faculties of six universities, and was named the Ruhl Distinguished Professor at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. He is the author of A Writerand#8217;s Coach.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Story
Chapter 2: Structure
Chapter 3: Point of View
Chapter 4: Voice and Style
Chapter 5: Character
Chapter 6: Scene
Chapter 7: Action
Chapter 8: Dialogue
Chapter 9: Theme
Chapter 10: Reporting
Chapter 11: Story Narratives
Chapter 12: Explanatory Narratives
Chapter 13: Other Narratives
Chapter 14: Ethics
Acknowledgments
Notes
Bibliography
Index