Alex Interviewing politicians, let me tell you, it’s not just showing up with a microphone. It’s a high-stakes, intellectual chess match. It demands meticulous preparation, strategic thinking, and the relentless pursuit of truth. For us writers, the goal isn’t merely to record statements, it’s about extracting insights, exposing inconsistencies, and delivering content that informs and empowers … Read more
I’m going to tell you how to really nail down the timeline in your stories, whether you’re writing a historical epic, a twisty detective novel, or even your own life story. You know how it goes – you’re chugging along, and then BAM! A character mentions something that wasn’t even invented yet, or an event … Read more
Let me tell you, when you’re writing a biography, you’re not just throwing facts onto a page. You’re actually crafting an experience for your reader. Think about it: you want them to feel like they’re right there with the person you’re writing about, watching their life unfold. And the secret to doing that? It’s all … Read more
The news cycle, especially when it comes to crime, is a relentless beast. Sensational headlines flash and fade, leaving behind a blur of statistics and fragmented narratives. For a crime reporter, the challenge isn’t just telling people what happened, but really digging into why it happened and, crucially, what happens next. A truly impactful crime … Read more
You know, as writers, we constantly grapple with something truly fundamental: how do we champion a belief, advocate for what we see as truth, or even just articulate a deeply felt perspective without sinking into a swamp of bias? Especially in a world where every single pixel screams a viewpoint at us, being able to … Read more
The way we do reporting has fundamentally changed, and it’s all thanks to how much social media is everywhere. These platforms aren’t just an extra thing we use anymore; they’ve become absolutely essential for investigative journalists, beat reporters, and freelance writers. In a world where information moves at lightning speed and our attention spans are … Read more
The romanticized image of a travel writer often involves sun-drenched beaches, exotic meals, and effortless prose. But the truth? It’s far more about painstaking research, relentless revision, and the often-uncomfortable but undeniably vital process of getting critiques. For many, a critique feels like a personal attack, a judgment on their inherent ability. That couldn’t be … Read more
Here’s how I think about learning from past historiography: It’s like I’m standing on the shoulders of giants. Every time I write something, whether it’s a historical novel, a well-researched non-fiction book, or even just building a really detailed backstory for a character, I’m working with history. But it’s not enough to just read history. … Read more
Creating something new can feel like finishing a race, but with writing, it’s really just the starting gun. To truly grow as a writer, and in any profession actually, you need a skill that seems simple but is actually quite complex: learning from feedback and, in the process, getting better at giving it. This isn’t … Read more
Travel writing, for me, is so much more than just describing a place. It’s about igniting a feeling in my reader, sharing an experience so vividly that they feel like they’re right there alongside me, transported into the very soul of a location. But how do I really capture the true essence of a foreign … Read more