Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard: Narrative Digest

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Author Interview

Diane Suchetka

Fixing Mr. Fix-it

The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Excerpts from a January 2009 email interview with Diane Suchetka, author of “Fixing Mr. Fix-it”:

Q:	How did you first find out about Norm Martin?
A:	I first heard about Norm and his accident from a PR woman at the hospital. Initially, I turned the story down, for a number of reasons. But the PR woman called again to try to convince me, my editor, and the photographer that the story was worth telling, and I agreed to meet Norm and his wife. Immediately, I was impressed with their pluck, resilience, and good humor. I couldn't help myself. I had to go back.
Q:	How did you choose the narrative structure for "Fixing Mr. Fix-it"?
A:	Now that the series is written, the story line seems like the only logical one. But before I started writing—when I had notebooks and tape recorders filled with information—I had a few I thought might work well. One of our editors had recently started brainstorming sessions to help writers whip early drafts into shape. So I stole his idea, gathered about ten respected colleagues, gave them an outline, answered their questions then kept my mouth shut and listened. I don't think anyone ever used the phrase "Fixing Mr. Fix-it" in that hour-long meeting. But when it was over, I knew I had my theme—and my headline.
Q:	Was there anything you wished you had included but didn't, or couldn't?
A:	Oh, if I could write this series over again. There were many things I wish had included (and left out, too). Some big and some small. I would have loved to talk to Norm's boss and lawyer. Both declined to comment for the story. I wish I had been able to see the accident site instead of having to rely on snapshots. And, in my hurry to finish the writing and editing, I left out a couple of little details that I love. That wedding band that Norm tucked into his locker on the day of the accident? Jeanie wears it on a chain around her neck every day now. That should've been in the story.
Q:	The narrative is told in a very spare style. Was that a decision you made in drafting, or something that emerged during the editing process?
A:	That's just the way I write for the most part. But in this story, in particular, the drama was already there. I thought I just needed to get out of its way.

Diane Suchetka began work for The Plain Dealer in June 2004 as a general assignment reporter. She helped cover the 2004 presidential campaign and wrote news features and social services stories until 2007, when she moved to the paper’s medical team.

In June 2008, she received the inaugural MOLLY award. Named for the late columnist and author Molly Ivins, the MOLLY is given to writers of the best print and online journalism focusing on civil liberties and social justice. Diane won for a series of stories about a high school dropout from Cleveland’s inner city who tried to turn his life around by earning his GED.

Before working in Cleveland, Diane spent 19 years at The Charlotte Observer. Her work has appeared in Southern Exposure, Good Housekeeping, and the book Tis the Season.

She graduated from Kent State University’s journalism school with a bachelor’s degree in 1979 and a master’s degree in 1988. In her spare time she kayaks, bicycles, tries to write fiction, and has just finished work on her first documentary film, Another One of Me.