edjsandoval - 05 February 2008 09:51 PM

one to keep and re-read now and then…

Edgar—welcome to the group! I think this point above—keep and read now and then—is a GREAT tool for writers that are serious about developing their craft. Find a few great models (don’t have to be long)… go back, and back again later. Each time you do, and as you develop, you will see new things ...

I think that those three key questions are really important and help define what the story. I’m working on a story right now that’s not hitched on one person’s narrative or two but maybe like three or four to illustrate investigative work. And though I’d rather just glom on to one person’s narrative it is not enough to show what’s going on. I’m starting to think about structure and I’m struggling with ways to make it readable and “narrative” when there’s a cast of characters that work in different circles.

At this point in reporting, I can answer these questions but I’m not sure which one to give priority to? i.e. who should i devote more space, introspection to?

janine - 12 February 2008 07:38 PM

I think that those three key questions are really important and help define what the story. I’m working on a story right now that’s not hitched on one person’s narrative or two but maybe like three or four to illustrate investigative work. And though I’d rather just glom on to one person’s narrative it is not enough to show what’s going on. I’m starting to think about structure and I’m struggling with ways to make it readable and “narrative” when there’s a cast of characters that work in different circles.

At this point in reporting, I can answer these questions but I’m not sure which one to give priority to? i.e. who should i devote more space, introspection to?

Given what you’ve written about the situation, my very general advice would be to decide first what one idea you want people to take away from the story. If necessary separate the characters for clarity and then use each character’s section to build toward that one idea. The person who gets the most space is the one who best illustrates the one idea ...

ldillon - 12 February 2008 10:47 PM

Given what you’ve written about the situation, my very general advice would be to decide first what one idea you want people to take away from the story. If necessary separate the characters for clarity and then use each character’s section to build toward that one idea.

Good advice ...!
Hey, Janine, don’t know exactly what the story is or how much stuff you have from each person (would be happy to have email conversation about, if it would help), but how ‘bout taking Liam’s advice above, find a key idea or point or thread or incident or whatever, and then use each character/source as a point of view on that point/incident/ etc. ... in other words, the way that Joe Schmoe sees Incident A is this… the way Pete Jones sees it is this.. and the way Susie Q sees it is the other ... and somewhere therein lies, well, the real story? (again, don’t know what kind of info you have from each, but so often, three people’s version/vision of the same incident differ, and what an interesting and textured way to present. Let us know how it shakes down.