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Articles by Chip Scanlan
Trusting the Writer
Chris Lavin edited the “Metal to Bone” series published in “Best Newspaper Writing 1994” and featured in “Best Newspaper Writing Brown Bag #2: The Power of Details.” At the time, Lavin was Sunday Features and Discovery editor at the St. Petersburg Times. He has worked as a writer, writing coach, and editor at the Rochester (N.Y.) Times-Union and the Finger Lakes Times in Geneva, N.Y. Before returning to editing in 1992, Lavin traveled throughout Florida writing news, features, and projects.
Chip's Writing Lessons #104
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Chip's Writing Lessons #103
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Chip's Writing Lessons #102
Correction. Novelist Donna Tartt’s name is misspelled in Four Questions with Reed Karaim.
Chip's Writing Lessons #101
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Chip's Writing Lessons #100
In this issue: Writers Speak | Kim van Alkemade on what a fiction reader chooses Thanks for reading Chip’s Writing Lessons! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Chip's Writing Lessons #99
In this issue: Writers Speak | Valeria Luiselli on control of time in fiction Thanks for reading Chip’s Writing Lessons! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Chip's Writing Lessons #98
In this issue: Writers Speak | Billy Wilder on structural flaws Thanks for reading Chip’s Writing Lessons! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Chip's Writing Lessons #97
In this issue: Four Questions with Gary Mormino Thanks for reading Chip’s Writing Lessons! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. An AI Christmas Carol Four Questions with Gary Mormino Gary R. Mormino is the Frank E. Duckwall professor emeritus in history at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. He continues to teach classes in Modern Florida, Food History and World War II. Presently, he is the scholar in residence at the Florida Humanities.
Chip's Writing Lessons #96
In this issue: 4 Questions with Mike Wilson Thanks for reading Chip’s Writing Lessons! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. 4 QUESTIONS WITH MIKE WILSON Mike Wilson is the deputy editor of the New York Times feature "The Great Read," which highlights narrative stories. Before joining the Times, he served as editor of the Dallas Morning News, where he transformed a traditional print newsroom into a digital-first news organization.
Chip's Writing Lessons #95
The school bus was just pulling out of the parking lot early that Friday afternoon when the whispers began. Something had happened to President Kennedy in Dallas. But it wasn’t until freshman basketball practice at the YMCA in town, where our gym-less school used the facilities, that the full story reached us. We had just started layup drills when a man walked onto the gym floor and whispered in our coach’s ear. The ball dropped from his hand.
Chip's Writing Lessons #94
In this issue: Writers Speak: Jon Fosse on listening to yourself Thanks for reading Chip’s Writing Lessons! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Four Questions with Gerry Goldstein WRITERS SPEAK I think the best advice I’ve learned from life is to listen to yourself, not to others. Stick to what you have, not to what you want to have or wish you had. Stay close to yourself, to your inner voice and vision and how you want the writing to be.
On hiatus
Back from Paris, and the cupboard of 4 Questions interviews is bare, so I’m pausing publication while I refill the larder. Accordingly: The billing cycles for paid subscribers will be frozen. New readers will not be able to purchase a paid subscription plan. Existing paid subscribers won't be charged. See you soon! May the writing and editing go well. Chip
Postcard from Paris: A fanboy at the house of Balzac
Before Tom Wolfe and the New Journalists of the 1960s, and today’s crop of narrative specialists, a driven French writer, swigging up to 50 cups of black coffee a day, was churning out novel after novel devoted to capturing what he called La Comedie Humaine. The Human Comedy used the tools of realism to paint a vivid panorama of French life in the years after the 1815 fall of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Postcard from Paris: A sketchbook panorama of the City of Light
Serendipity, the happy accidents when you find something of value that you weren’t looking for, abound here. My latest unsought discovery came in the aptly named and elegant La Grand Epicerie in the 7th District. It makes my Publix supermarket in St. Petersburg, Florida, almost seem like a convenience store.
Postcard from Paris: Editing at Les Éditeurs
Are you a writer or an editor? I wanted to ask the man sitting next to us at the Cafe Les Éditeurs, but I thought it would be rude, too intrusive. Being nosy, I confess, hasn’t stopped me so far in Paris. It’s the way I meet strangers, like Neel Kumar, an affable Indian director from Dubai, at the Jardin de Luxembourg, where the flowers were in full bloom. The Leica he carried is the camera of choice for the master French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, piqued my interest.
Postcard from Paris: A stylophile's paradise
POSTCARD FROM PARIS | A STYLOPHILE’S PARADISE In kindergarten, my Catholic mother told me that if I said nine Hail Marys every Tuesday, the Blessed Mother would give me something I wanted. Of course, I dutifully said my prayers. Then Mom asked what I wanted. Without a moment’s hesitation, I cried out. “A fountain pen!” Mom walked me across the street to Woolworth’s, where she purchased my first fountain pen, a Sheaffer, for 29 cents.
Chip's Writing Lessons #91
In this issue: Writers Speak | Katherine Anne Porter on the fullness of the writing life Interview | 4 Questions with Bjørn Asle Nord Writing to Savor | “Sins of the Father,” by Eric Pape, the Atavist, March 2023 Postcard from Paris | A stylophile’s paradise Tip of the week | When stuck, organize with notecards Help Royal Hospitallers, Ukraine’s brave paramedics WRITERS SPEAK “Writing does not exclude the full life.
Chip's Writing Lessons #90
Start writing today. Use the button below to create your Substack and connect your publication with Chip’s Writing Lessons Start a Substack In this issue: Writers Speak | Ernest Hemingway on the iceberg theory Interview | 4 Questions with Bill Duryea Postcards from Paris | Pre-boarding #2 Writing to savor | “We want objective judges and doctors. Why not journalists too?,” b…
Chip's Writing Lessons #90
In this issue: Writers Speak | Julie Moos on the writing and reading process Interview | 4 Questions with Mark Kramer Postcard from Paris — Pre-boarding Tip of the week | Beware clichés of vision Support Ukraine’s volunteer paramedics Book World | Watch my YouTube interview about my book, 33 Ways Not to Screw Up Your Journalism WRITERS SPEAK | JULIE MOOS ON THE WRITING VS.
Chip's Writing Lessons #88
In this issue Writers Speak | Salman Rushdie on writer’s block Interview | 4 Questions with Lizzie Johnson Craft Lesson | Listening to your voice: A survey Writing to savor | “Seven stowaways and a hijacked oil tanker: The strange case of the Nave Andromeda” by Samira Shackle, the Guardian, June 9, 2022 Tip of the week | Heed the one-breath rule WRITERS SPEAK | SALMAN RUSHDIE ON WRITER’S BLOCK “I’ve simply never allowed myself to use the phrase ‘writer’s block.’ Everybody has a moment when...
Chip's Writing Lessons #87 podcast
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Good Ideas | Emily Chenoweth | Substack
Fiction writing exercises, craft essays, and reading recommendations from Matt Bell, author of APPLESEED and REFUSE TO BE DONE. Publishes monthly.
Chip's Writing Lessons #87
In this issue: Writers Speak | John Steinbeck on the committee of sleep Interview | 4 Questions with Berkley Hudson Tip of the Week | Use open-ended questions Help Royal Hospitallers save lives in Ukraine WRITERS SPEAK "It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it." - John Steinbeck INTERVIEW 4 QUESTIONS WITH BERKLEY HUDSON Photo by Tom Rankin Of himself, Berkley Hudson says: Born, Columbus, Mississippi.
Chip's Writing Lessons Newsletter #86 Podcast
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Chip's Writing Lessons #86 XTRAS
In this issue: Writers Speak | Ann Patchett on the hazardS of editing while drafting Interview | More Questions with Michael Kruse Craft Lesson | Ten New Year’s resolutions for editors, by Steve Padilla Writing to Savor | ‘I am the operator’: The aftermath of a self-driving tragedy,” by Lauren Smiley, Wired, April 2022 Tip of the week | The value of going b…
Chip's Writing Lessons #86
Chip’s Writing Lessons is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Chip's Writing Lessons #85 podcast
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Chip's Writing Lessons #85
In this issue: Writers Speak | Louise Erdich on a writer’s desire Interview | 4 Questions with DeNeen L. Brown Tip of the Week | Said vs. Says Help Royal Hospitallers save lives in Ukraine WRITERS SPEAK "Part of becoming a writer is the desire to have everything mean something." - Louise Erdich Chip’s Writing Lessons is a reader-supported publication.
Chip's Writing Lessons #84 podcast
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Chip's Writing Lessons #84
In this issue: Writers Speak | Salman Rushdie on the writer’s role Interview | Stephen Robert Morse on writing as a team sport Podcast to Savor | Taffy Brodesser-Akner, Longform, Nov.
Chips's Writing Lessons #83
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Chip's Writing Lessons #83
In this issue: Writers Speak | Carolyn Mungo on being human Interview | 4 Questions with Line Vaaben Bookbag | The value of not writing Tip of the Week | Maintain a “rainbow” contact list Help Royal Hospitallers save lives in Ukraine WRITERS SPEAK “I am a human first. People have to see that journalists are not just a body behind a microphone.
Chip's Writing Lessons #82
In this issue: Writers Speak: Alexander Cheves on a memoir Interview: 4 Questions with Christopher Goffard Interview Extra: 4 Questions with Philip Watson WRITERS SPEAK: Alexander Cheves of memoir “Organize essays in chronological order and voila, you have a memoir.” — Alexander Cheves INTERVIEW: 4 QUESTIONS WITH CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD Christopher Goffard is an author and a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times.
Sad News/Rich Counsel for Writers
I’m very sad to report that my friend, Matt Tullis, author, brilliant teacher and host of Gangrey the Podcast, devoted to narrative journalism and the reporters who write it, died Friday Sept. 23 from complications after brain surgery, far too soon. Matt was a survivor of childhood cancer, an experience he chronicled with granular, unforgettable detail in his memoir, “Running with Ghosts,” published by The Sager Group in 2017. Matt, you will be sorely missed.
Chip's Writing Lessons on Hiatus
Hi everybody. I’m writing to you from Dublin, Ireland where this afternoon I was the keynote speaker at the International Dublin Writers’ Festival, which runs until Sunday. I did one of my favorite writing workshops, “My Favorite Dessert,” which I use to indulge my prejudice that attendees at a writing workshop should do more than take down bon mots; they should write. So we should write a story—I always write, too, following the dictum from my mentor, Donald M.
Chip's Writing Lessons #81 Podcast
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Vacation Time
Hi all, Chip’s Writing Lessons is taking the next issue off for a bit of R&R. One less item in your inbox this week. I hope you’re taking some vacation too, to recharge your batteries, to read a book on your stack, or just putting up your feet and watching the world go by. Savor. Look for issue #81 in your inbox Friday, Sept. 2 Thanks and may your writing go well. Chip
Chip's Writing Lessons #80
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Chip's Writing Lessons #80
Here are this issue’s Extras for my generous paid subscribers. Thanks for being valuable supporters of Chip’s Writing Lessons and my work. This is a long one, so you’ll need to look out for the link at the end of the email that says “clipped” and click on it to read everything I hope you enjoy them.
Chip's Writing Lessons #80
In this issue: Writers Speak | William Gibson on not knowing middles Interview | 4 Questions with Kevin Sullivan Craft Lesson | Modeling lessons Writing to Savor | “The Other Afghan Women,” by Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, Sept. 6, 2021 Book World | Book talk, indie bookstore, audiobook available Tip of the Week | To write well, you must first write poorly Help Royal Hospitallers save lives in Ukraine WRITERS SPEAK Chip’s Writing Lessons is a reader-supported publication.
Chip's Writing Lessons #79
Subscribe to Chip’s Writing Lessons Podcast to get a private link for listening in your favorite podcast player. Learn about RSS.
Chip's Writing Lessons #79
Writers Speak | Nick Cave on the ubiquitous location of inspiration Interview | 4 Questions with Mary Jordan Craft Lesson | Libel Pains Audiobook to Savor | Four Thousands Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, written by Oliver Burkeman, narrated by the author. Book World | Listen up Tip of the Week | Give your reporting a report card Help Royal Hospitallers save lives in Ukraine WRITERS SPEAK "The inspiration for writing isn’t really without, it’s within.
Chip's Writing Lessons #78
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Chip's Writing Lessons #78
Writers Speak | John D. Sutter on transparency Interview | 4 Questions with Russell Working Craft Lesson | Cut-and-Paste jobs Writing to Savor | “The ‘Miracle Boy’ of Surfside,” by Matt Sullivan, Rolling Stone, June 23, 2022 Book World | A new colleague in Bangladesh Tip of the Week | Make friends with a co-reader Help Royal Hospitallers save lives in Ukraine WRITERS SPEAK “Reporting— investigative or not—is often served by transparency.
Chips's Writing Lessons #77
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Chip's Writing Lessons Issue #77
Writers Speak | Rita Dove on wrestling with language Interview | 4 Questions with Jeff Pearlman Craft Lesson | Embracing revision Writing to Savor | “The Weight of Bones,” by Jennifer Filardo, Sunday Short Reads, June 12, 2022 Book World | The recording light is on Tip of the Week | Let the dough rise Help Royal Hospitallers save lives in Ukraine WRITERS SPEAK | "I wish I could explain the mystery of that moment where everything sparks and starts to come together, but what I love to do is...
Chip's Writing Lessons #76
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Chip's Writing Lessons #76
Writers Speak | Anne Tyler on transparency in writing Interview | 4 Questions with Patrick Beach Craft Lesson | Bothsidesism Book World | Preorders and Promos Help Royal Hospitallers save lives in Ukraine WRITERS SPEAK “What I hope for from a book—either one that I write or one that I read—is transparency. I want the story to shine through.
Chip's Writing Lessons #75
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