Inside the Writer's Mind: Writing Narrative Journalism [Paperback]

Stephen G. Bloom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 26, 2002 | ISBN-10: 081381779X | ISBN-13: 978-0813817798 | Edition: 1

Inside the Writer's Mind propels readers into 30 very different stories, written for magazines, newspapers and the Internet. Among the stories Stephen G. Bloom dissects are profiles of accused murderers, a Little League umpire, a husband and wife who sign a suicide pact, a world-famous Brazilian plastic surgeon, and a notorious abortionist. Bloom writes about his job canning fruit cocktail, a disaster of a Caribbean cruise vacation, a lethal family of professional wrestlers, and an afternoon spent with Dr. Ruth.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Making up this delightful collection are 30 short journalistic essays, originally published in Salon.com, the San Jose Mercury News, and the Los Angeles Times, among other places, and grouped under broad headings such as "Ordinary People," "Extraordinary People," and "Extraordinary Circumstances." Although it contains a useful albeit brief introductory chapter on good essay writing and how to conduct an interview with a subject, this is not a book about how to write narrative journalism. Rather, it is a fine example of the range of journalism professor Bloom's (Postville) own creative journalism; it instructs by example rather than by didacticism. As Bloom aptly observes, "good writing is storytelling, i.e., turning observation into narrative." Whether he is interviewing Dr. Michael Levitt, an expert on flatulence ("Dr. Fart Speaks") or Dr. Ruth Westheimer, our popular culture's expert on sex ("The Joy of Dr. Ruth"), Bloom captures his subjects with verve and interest. Somewhat less insightful are the short reflections accompanying each story that reveal their genesis and writing. Students wanting direction on their own writing process might need to look elsewhere, although the suggested "assignments" at the end of each chapter might be useful; readers of creative journalism will enjoy this book. Herbert E. Shapiro, SUNY/Empire State Coll., Rochester
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 279 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (August 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081381779X
• ISBN-13: 978-0813817798
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,541,398 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read; not necessarily a textbook, December 7, 2009

By 

Bruce Irvine "Both sides now...." (Heartland USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Inside the Writer's Mind: Writing Narrative Journalism (Paperback)

An exceptionally enjoyable read. I am not a writer of any kind, but the essays and stories contained within this book are highly entertaining and literate. I am aware that this book is used as a textbook; but I believe the book stands well on its own as recreational reading. The author and I share some obscure history, so at least one of the stories had a particular personal appeal to me.

One of the stories within the book, a narrative of the author's father's shoe retailing business is quite as compelling as Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman."

5.0 out of 5 stars More Wonderful Writing from Stephen G. Bloom, March 30, 2010

By 

kimberly macintosh (Minneapolis, Mn.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside the Writer's Mind: Writing Narrative Journalism (Paperback)

This collection of 30 stories is a prequel to Bloom's nonfiction books. Inside the Writer's Mind takes us inside Bloom's head; it affords readers the opportunity to learn how a sophisticated writer carefully chooses ideas for his stories, how he researches them, and finally, the decisions he makes in writing them. It also updates readers with an aftermath for each story. There are some wonderful stories in this powerful, eclectic medley, including two hysterical pieces on flatulence (Bloom talks to the world's foremost medical expert!) and another "medical" story on the author's wild adventures after pulling a muscle in his lower back. There's also a terrifically reported story about a Texas husband and wife who agree to a suicide pact. Then there's the chilling account of a Los Angeles man who methodically plans the murder of his wife and kills her -- with a glitch: the couple's three-year-old daughter witnessed the murder (the killer still gets off!). There's also the sweet story about a band of diehard Little League umpires, and a hysterical story about people who change their names (Ellen Cooperman becomes Ellen Cooperperson; go figure). I loved the memory piece about Bloom's working in his father's New Jersey shoe store as a teenager. Read this amazing collection to get an insight on Bloom's early years as a newspaper reporter and magazine writer, before he went big time.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for the advanced writer, April 10, 2008

By 

Picky Reader "Ann" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside the Writer's Mind: Writing Narrative Journalism (Paperback)

I bought this book on recommendation (thanks a lot, Bob). This is not the book you want to buy if you've already had success in journalism (I'm a freelance magazine and newspaper writer).

I found most of the examples to be what I had already learned in school and just by taking various workshops. A lot of his samples are "duh" to those of us who are looking to deepen our writing skills.