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Writing for Story: Craft Secrets of Dramatic Nonfiction (Reference) Paperback – September 1, 1994

by Jon Franklin (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 146 ratings
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The new "nonfiction"—the adaptation of storytelling techniques to journalistic articles in the manner of Truman Capote, Tom Wolfe, and John McPhee—is an innovative genre that has been awarded virtually every Pulitzer Prize for literary journalism since 1979. And now Jon Franklin, himself a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and undisputed master of the great American nonfiction short story, shares the secrets of his success. Franklin shows how to make factual pieces come alive by applying the literary techniques of complication/resolution, flashback, foreshadowing, and pace. He illustrates his points with a close analysis and annotation of two of his most acclaimed stories, so that the reader can see, step-by-step, just how they were created. This lively, easy-to-follow guid combines readability and excitement with the best of expository prose and illuminates the techniques that beginning journalists—and more experienced ones, too—will find immensely helpful:

  • Stalking the true short story
  • Drafting an effective outline
  • Structuring the rough copy
  • Polishing like a pro
  • and the tips, tools, and techniques that will put your stories on the cutting edge

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Plume
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 1994
  5. Dimensions
    5.24 x 0.77 x 7.94 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0452272955
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0452272958
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

One of Ludwig Miës van der Rohe's favorite aphorisms was that "God is in the details." Jon Franklin would beg to differ. A pretty turn of phrase is no use at all, says he, if you don't have a firm structure on which to hang it. Franklin pioneered the field of creative nonfiction by applying fiction's classical complication-resolution form to standard nonfiction (specifically to news stories, most of which, he states, are generally "endings without beginnings attached"). Instead of focusing on style, grammar, and word use, as do many books on writing, Writing for Story provides a rigorous lesson in building a nonfiction story (short or long) that has structural integrity. Franklin advocates starting with an outline, writing the climax first, and engaging in other grueling tasks that seem like hard work because they are.

Review

"All in all, an impressive introduction to a difficult subject, done with disarming candor. Franklin provides concise, no-nonsense tips … in a lively, easy-to-follow style that's refreshingly free from the usual 'creative writing' jargon. It's a technique that beginning journalists, and even those more experienced, will find especially helpful and revealing. Franklin knows what he's talking about and shares his knowledge with admirable generosity."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Learning to write the short story, always a challenge for budding fiction writers, is for Franklin … the royal road to success in feature writing today, Thoroughly and methodically, he shows aspiring journalists how to 'nail down' the operative elements of a story—complication/resolution, flashback, foreshadowing, and pace—and, through close analysis of two of his prize-winning features, what to do and in what order to do it … a sound, fertile book, recommended for attaining effective writing skills."
—Library Journal

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Plume; Reprint edition (September 1, 1994)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0452272955
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0452272958
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.24 x 0.77 x 7.94 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 146 ratings

About the author

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Jon Franklin

Jon Franklin

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Two-time Pulitzer prize winning author Jon Franklin takes his readers into places they've never been. A pioneer in the narrative nonfiction movement -- nonfiction that reads as easily as if it were fiction -- Franklin is known for his easy style. His stories and books will allow you to climb Kitt Peak to peer through one of the world's most powerful telescopes, watch over the shoulders of brain surgeons as they save a patient's life, travel back in time to uncover the secrets of our own behavioral evolution. All this, without leaving the comfort of your easy chair.

Check out his blog and some of his most powerful stories at www.jonfranklin.com

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
146 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ohioan
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2012
Verified Purchase
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.
8 people found this helpful
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Danny and Sheila
5.0 out of 5 stars Please do yourself a favor and buy this book
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2021
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I almost never write reviews, but this deserves one. It is a true apprenticeship on writing. Especially for a new writer but really anyone eager to learn, for that matter. Its like having a master teacher sitting with you and giving you the keys and sometimes harsh truth it will take to become a successful writer. It is taught by a writer of short stories but can apply to any writing. these lessons are pivotal. Wholly recommend. Please buy!!!
4 people found this helpful
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Karin V
4.0 out of 5 stars A bit outdated but still learned quite a bit.
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2023
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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.
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Robert Beattie
5.0 out of 5 stars THE best book on feature writing
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2005
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This wonderful book changed my writing life. I wish that I could say that I have lived up to Jon Franklin's writing advice, but at best I have aspired to live up to the advice Jon Franklin shares in WRITING FOR STORY. I first read this is 1988 and have periodically re-read it since then. For nonfiction feature writers, this book is on a par with Strunk & White. Highly recommended.

While I was in the middle of writing "NIGHTMARE IN WICHITA: The Hunt for the BTK Strangler" I re-read WRITING FOR STORY. Perhaps I followed Franklin's advice to an adequate degree because in 2005 my book placed as high as number 4 on the NEW YORK TIMES bestseller list (for paperback nonfiction).

The criticsms of the negative reviewers appear to me to have little or no merit. In my experience, successful writers treat this book as gold. Writers of kindred spirit can read WRITING FOR STORY for pure enjoyment, often nodding one's head in recognition of similar experience.

If, besides WRITING FOR STORY, you are looking for an additional book on writing feature stories, I recommend FOLLOW THE STORY by James B. Stewart.

If you are ready to go beyond feature writing, Franklin's SHOCK-TRAUMA is a living example of how to write a book-length nonfiction narrative following the feature-writing advice in WRITING FOR STORY.

Bravo, Jon Franklin, and thank you.

Robert Beattie

Wichita, Kansas
40 people found this helpful
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Queen Rabbit
5.0 out of 5 stars Old how to more relevant than ever
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2023
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Gold among sea of how to write books
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Patricia del Valle
5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting and encouraging, non-fiction writing guide.
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2013
Verified Purchase
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.
7 people found this helpful
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Dr. Mark
3.0 out of 5 stars Helpful Writing Advice
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2024
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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?
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James
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, helps organize thoughts into a framework
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2022
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Great book that helps outline a structure for writing, and helps illuminate some of the previously mysterious elements for me.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Palenku
5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable book
Reviewed in India on November 16, 2017
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It's so useful for writing craft and it can help for those who have desire to write fiction or nonfiction.
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Pierre Fauvel
5.0 out of 5 stars Super guide
Reviewed in France on October 17, 2014
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Un guide vraiment excellent pour écrire des récits dramatiques de fais réels. Très bien expliqué et illustré, très parlant. Vraiment un must pour quiconque prétend écrire.
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Sierra
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb book unsurprisingly
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2014
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As you would expect from a double Pulitzer Prize-winning chappy, this man knows his onions and he lets readers in on the craft...
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michael coldwell
3.0 out of 5 stars The pieces he uses as examples (he wrote them himself and received acclaim for them) are boring, simple and not of interest to t
Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2016
Verified Purchase
Old fashioned ideas about writing techniques. The pieces he uses as examples (he wrote them himself and received acclaim for them) are boring, simple and not of interest to the modern mind. But, there is still much that any one can learn by reading it that will make them go from amateur to publishable. Worth buying. Everything you learn from anywhere helps. Has lots to say to help you.
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