Characters and Stories In Journalism

Blog Cartoon (Courtesy of Google Images)

I bet the cartoon got you attention. However, Drawing and keeping an audience (without the picture) is one of the most difficult things to do for writers, but also one of the most fulfilling. As writers of we search for a certain voice that will connect with readers. Literary journalist Jon Franklin and Latin American journalist/author Alma Guillermprieto are established writers with a distinguished style.

Characters:

Jon Franklin pioneer of "New Journalism" movement (Courtesy of jonfranklin.com)

Jon Franklin’s strategy for drawing a reader lies on the characters inner world against the external. Reality and illusion were seen completely different then they are now. During Medieval Europe reality was internal and illusion was external, but during the Enlightenment things switched. Victorians labeled people as either good characters or bad characters with family background being the only source of judgment, not experience.

Franklin’s Mrs. Kelley’s Monster

In journalism the aim here is to put the reader inside the mind of an individual and how he/she views the world around them. Observation is also key in understand your subject. The small things count when focusing on a character, but there is no way to paint a complete picture. As a writer you have to choose what matters.

I think that Jon Franklin’s advice on writing is beneficial when you are trying to minimize yourself from the story. Allowing the source to present their experience also makes a story a lot more interesting then one of just plot.

Telling Stories:

Mexican Journalist Alma Guillermoprieto (Courtesy of Google Images)

Alma Guillermprieto tells stories to make sure U.S. readers do not ignore Latin America. Specificity is a central part of her writing and reporting because it gives the story a focus similar to how Franklin does with characters. Alma feels that by focusing on detail the story advances. In addition, she sets her stories up like a theater with a leading dancer as the stand out performer.

In journalism telling stories bring certain situations to life while making them easy to understand. Historical accounts and its affect on a country are sometimes difficult to write about without making it bland and boring. However, when a story can be developed then it takes a new toll on how it is presented. Check out Alma’s piece on Fidel’s Farewell.

I think that Alma’s advice on telling stories is another way to draw in an audience. However, I wouldn’t treat the subject in my stories as a separate entity. Although it is a story, I think it should still have a connection and relationship with society.