Author

Chip Scanlan

@chipscanlan

After two decades as an award-winning journalist, Chip Scanlan taught writing at The Poynter Institute from 1994-2009. His credits include The New York Times, NPR, The Washington Post Magazine and The American Scholar; two essays were listed as notables in Best American Essays. He lives and writes in St. Petersburg, Florida, and publishes Chip’s Writing Lessons, a newsletter of tips and inspiration.

A Love Fest on Narrative Elements

It’s the voice, you fool. No, it’s the theme, dummy. No, it’s the story, you buttonhead.

‘Writing is all about rewriting, which means you’ve got to get something down.’

Steps for Managing Your Stories Lower your standards. Get something down. Swallow the bile that rises in your throat when you write a first draft. Print out early. Read aloud.…

Steps for Managing Your Stories

Lower your standards. Get something down. Swallow the bile that rises in your throat when you write a first draft. Print out early. Read aloud. Apply very critical standards.