Writing for Story: Craft Secrets of Dramatic Nonfiction (Reference)

I knew Jon and I miss him. I will always be grateful for everything he taught me about writing nonfiction.

This is one of the best books I've ever read on writing dramatic nonfiction -- nonfiction which approaches the subject through "story." Franklin, a two-time Pulitzer winner for his dramatic nonfiction, is also a college professor who teaches students how to write. This book gives to all writers and would-be writers the important things Franklin has learned as a practicing journalist and teacher. Included in the book is one of Franklin's prize-winning stories, "Mrs. Kelly's Monster." The story appears as Chapter Two of this book, but then it appears again in an annotated version at the end of the book. In the annotated version, Franklin explains everything he did, often line for line, and why he did it that way. A fantastic learning experience! Throughout the book, Franklin concentrates on story: what it is in fiction, how it works in nonfiction. He introduces and explains terms such as conflict, complication, and resolution. In addition, he teaches a five-line, three-words-per-line method of outlining a story. The purpose of this seemingly easy (but actually difficult) exercise is so that the writer can chip away and chip away at all the excess until he or she understands exactly and precisely, in the fewest words possible, what the conflict, complication, and resolution of his or her story are. Highly recommended -- for those who write fiction as well as those who write nonfiction.

With many years of fiction-writing experience behind me, I've been wanting to strengthen my nonfiction-writing skills. Someone recommended this book. It's a fascinating read full of amazing information. It's also quite dated, as it was written in 1986. That doesn't mean you shouldn't read it, though. Just remember a few things as you read through it: - The universal truths Franklin discusses (the importance of structure, active writing, character developments, etc.) are universal--they still apply today. It doesn't matter what you're writing. - His process (note cards) can still work, but he wrote before computers existed. Use his information and apply it to your modern technique. (The same is true for the submission process.) - Read the last chapter. Realize the truth in it--Franklin and his successful contemporaries spent YEARS learning and practicing. Think about that. I'm glad I read this book and would absolutely recommend it to anyone wanting to learn how to write feature stories or short nonfiction pieces.

In “Writing for Story,” Pulitzer Prize winner, Jon Franklin, leads the writing student through captivating stories to make his points. These stories clearly and effectively, for me, explain the nuances of writing story … the compelling elements and how our brains process the information. Then, he explains how to best get that information on paper to draw in the reader. The emotional engagement is expressed as well. All of which leads to a better understanding of how to put together and blend these essential parts. I often have feelings about something that take me a while to adequately express with words … and then try to apply them to a particular story scene. Wilk Peters’ journey demonstrates how to develop and write these pieces. I love Wilk’s story. Other chapters reveal • the secrets to constructing an effective outline • specific techniques for polishing, and much more • how to understand and time the revealing of each detail in order to absorb, entertain and satisfy your reader Jon Franklin genuinely fills the gaps which I have found in many other “how-to” writing books. I highly recommend this step-by-step guide.

When you realize as a features writer you're writing short stories that are verifiably true. This book helps with tension, structure, and pacing.

I joined a writer's group to provide the opportunity and incentive to write. The writer's group is my simulator where I can flight test what Jon's book teaches me about the skill of writing. Good combination. The admonition to "just start writing and it will come to you" doesn't make sense to me. I am familar with what it takes to build a skill. There are slow ways, fast ways, good ways, and it takes forever ways. What I want is a good fast way. I am 80 years old. I don't have a lot of time. Good writing requires that I know what good writing is when I see it. Jon helps me do this. This helps me track my progress. Continue to learn from the masters like Jon. Spend as much time as possible in the simulator (writer's group). Thank you, Jon.

This book takes several pieces written by the author and explains why he wrote them the way he did. It is helpful for insights into pacing and word choice. I felt when I was finished that the author had not wrestled with the inner process of writing as much as I needed, however. What did he choose to leave out? How did he refine his work from beginning to end?

I bought this book for me, and I bought a copy for a friend. I like books that can actually demonstrate the lessons they profess, and the lessons here are clear. Jon Franklin includes two stories he won Pulitzer prizes for, and theyre excellent examples of what he's teaching the rest of us to do. The book wont teach you everything you need to learn about writing. It wont teach you a lot about writing. But it will teach you how to make your stories interesting...or as interesting as they can be. And if a story is compelling, readers will gladly endure grammatical errors, and spelling errors, and punctuation glitches. There are other books that cover the grammar and spelling and punctuation. Few books address how to make what you write interesting. This one does. This book isnt Business Writing 101.