Ask the Author: Alexandra Robbins
Answered Questions (4)
Alexandra Robbins
Thank you! Yes, I am looking for input from as many teachers as possible. I'll email you shortly.
Alexandra Robbins
Hi Boradicus! Thanks for the note. I have to admit, if the challenges I gave the students utilized Systems Theory, it was not a conscious decision on my part. When you finish the book, could you please let me know if any of the experiments would qualify? Now I'm intrigued!
Alexandra Robbins
Hi Jimmeaha, I'm so sorry I didn't see this question until now! I was in touch with the "main characters" in "The Geeks" as often as possible. Sometimes our discussions lasted for hours.
The most concise advice I can give to someone just starting out as a narrative journalist is to remember that 1) you're telling stories and 2) they are not your stories. What this means is 1) From a writing perspective, you want readers to feel like you're taking them on a journey with a narrative arc. Don't just report facts. Tell a story. Immerse yourself in the details. Make readers care about your sources. Aim to write in a way that makes readers itching to know what happens next.
And 2, From a reporting perspective, really listen to what your sources are saying - and what they're trying to say - so that you can ask them good questions, and do right by them when you tell their story. Transcribe everything they tell you, because when you review your notes later, you'll more often than not spot something that you should follow up on.
The most concise advice I can give to someone just starting out as a narrative journalist is to remember that 1) you're telling stories and 2) they are not your stories. What this means is 1) From a writing perspective, you want readers to feel like you're taking them on a journey with a narrative arc. Don't just report facts. Tell a story. Immerse yourself in the details. Make readers care about your sources. Aim to write in a way that makes readers itching to know what happens next.
And 2, From a reporting perspective, really listen to what your sources are saying - and what they're trying to say - so that you can ask them good questions, and do right by them when you tell their story. Transcribe everything they tell you, because when you review your notes later, you'll more often than not spot something that you should follow up on.
Alexandra Robbins
Hi D.D. When I'm in research mode, I'll aim for up to 8 hours a day (perhaps 12 when I'm on deadline). When I'm writing, I try not to make it too formulaic. Sometimes I'm in the groove, sometimes I'm not. When I'm not, I try to focus on something else (reporting, research, connecting with readers on Facebook or attempting to catch up on reader emails), because I think that when people force themselves to write, the writing feels forced.
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