7/31/2019 Handouts for Sacramento Press workshop on narrative storytelling

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/handouts-for-sacramento-press-workshop-on-narrative-storytelling 1/2

Introduction to Feature Writing and Narrative Storytelling:

 A Short Chat on Long Stories

 Nick Miller – September 5, 2012

Sac Press HQ, 6-8 p.m.

What is the goal of this workshop? To walk away with:

A) An understanding of what makes for a “worthy” long-form feature

B) Best practices on ways to report, outline, draft, polish and finalize long-form featuresC) Knowledge of “the rules” when it comes to form and style

D) Tips on how to pitch a long-form feature to an editor 

E) Advice on what not to do when working on long-form features

PART ONE – What the hell am I going to write about? 

A) Topic vs. Story

B) Report for story

1) Interview with psychological profile in mind2) Shadow for scenes: Showing vs. telling

3) Ask yourself: Who are the characters?

PART TWO –  Aw dang, now I actually have to write this thing!? 

A) Outline, outline, outline Always use the complication-resolution model for your outline.

 Here's a generic example:

Complication: Company fires Alice

 Development 1 (failure): Depression paralyzes Alice

 Development 2 (confusion): Alice regains confidence Development 3 (insight): Alice pursues passion

 Resolution: Alice opens business

(See two SN&R examples: Nick's feature “Coachie and the Kids” and R.V. Scheide's “Amother's prayer,” both attached)

B) Drafting and polishing1) Break down into five sections and write the ending first 

2) Write all your scenes on an index card; what does each scene show the reader 

3) Don't fuss the first draft: just write, write write. Then, polish.4) Edit for structure, then do a line edit

5) And, finally, file it to your editor 

6) (Real talk: this could take an entire week!)

7/31/2019 Handouts for Sacramento Press workshop on narrative storytelling

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/handouts-for-sacramento-press-workshop-on-narrative-storytelling 2/2

PART THREE – Why should I listen to the guy who wrote Charlotte's Web?

(AKA tips for line editing/polishing)

A) Composition1) Write sentences in active voice and in a positive form

2) Use definite, specific, concrete language

3) OMIT NEEDLESS WORDS4) Keep to one tense

B) Style1) Place yourself in the background

2) Write in a way that comes naturally

3) Write with strong nouns and verbs4) Avoid fancy words

5) Do not affect a breezy manner 

PART FOUR  –  How do I pitch a story to an editor?

A) Be professional (email and never call or hit up on Facebook)B) Keep it simple and pitch the right person

C) Follow through

D) Always hit deadlines and foster a strong line of communicationE) Always have a few stories in the bag

PART FIVE –  Note to self: Never, ever do this … 

A) Write about “topics” or in first person

B) Give up on your storyC) Write without an outline—lest ye suffer death by spaghetti

D) Assume. Always be curious.

E) Be scared to make a phone call