Editor’s Corner
October 8, 2007
Notions of narrative
By
Constance Hale
What is it about the word narrative that makes reporters think crisis, or heartbreaking illness, or unspeakable danger? Are such gripping human-interest stories the only ones that earn news reporters the time for in-depth reporting and the space to craft stories with fleshed-out characters, full-fledged scenes, and artful arcs?
The notion that narratives must somehow involve human tragedy is one of many misconceptions about this form. Because so many of the submissions we receive at the Nieman Narrative Digest reflect this misconception, we decided to showcase a story in another mold.
“Grandmasters in Guayaberas” makes the point that compelling dramatic conflict can be found in all quarters. Touché to Josh Schonwald for finding four unlikely chess champs from Miami Dade College and following their quest to conquer opponents at the likes of Harvard, Yale, Texas, and Baltimore. And touché to Schonwald’s editors at Miami New Times.
We don’t mean to discourage writers from sending us human-interest stories. But we would love to see more short narratives, amusing musings, and provocative profiles.
Keep following these pages as we try to mix things up a bit.
Oh, and in using we I am not reverting to the quaint “editorial we” of the old New Yorker. Please check out Digest Staff to meet the capable journalists who are assisting me in picking stories each month.