Francis Flaherty Books
Francis Flaherty is a longtime editor and writer for The New York Times, known for his work shaping feature stories and mentoring journalists. His insights into narrative nonfiction have influenced many writers seeking to elevate factual storytelling into art.
Known for: The Elements of Story: Field Notes on Nonfiction Writing
Books by Francis Flaherty
The Elements of Story: Field Notes on Nonfiction Writing
A practical guide to crafting compelling nonfiction narratives, this book distills the author’s experience as an editor at The New York Times. It explores how to find the deeper meaning in everyday stories, structure them effectively, and bring them to life through vivid detail and narrative tension.
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The Concept of Story
Every nonfiction piece that resonates shares a secret akin to fiction: it possesses conflict, character, and change. Facts form the bones; story gives them muscle and motion. In journalism, we’re told to deliver information cleanly—but clean isn’t enough. The reader must feel movement. A story begin...
From The Elements of Story: Field Notes on Nonfiction Writing
Finding the Story
The search for story often begins in the least obvious places. Many reporters think stories are assigned, but more often they’re unearthed. During my years at The Times, the most memorable features didn’t come from grand events but from the sharp eye that saw drama in the ordinary. The trick is to c...
From The Elements of Story: Field Notes on Nonfiction Writing
About Francis Flaherty
Francis Flaherty is a longtime editor and writer for The New York Times, known for his work shaping feature stories and mentoring journalists. His insights into narrative nonfiction have influenced many writers seeking to elevate factual storytelling into art.
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Francis Flaherty is a longtime editor and writer for The New York Times, known for his work shaping feature stories and mentoring journalists. His insights into narrative nonfiction have influenced many writers seeking to elevate factual storytelling into art.
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