Writing as Craft and Magic, 2nd Edition

by Carl Sessions Stepp

Writing as Craft and Magic , Second Edition, outlines a compelling approach to conceiving, reporting, organizing, and writing articles for today's media. The book revolves around the central idea that writers improve most quickly by combining the powers of technique ("craft") with creativity ("magic"). Applying this method to news and feature writing--both print and online--it focuses on leads, organization, transition, clarity, drama, and other elements that drive good writing toward excellence.
Aimed at students in upper-level undergraduate writing and reporting courses, Writing as Craft and Magic provides a clear and succinct instructional system--with practical models, a wealth of examples, and step-by-step guides--to help students understand and apply craft and magic to daily assignments. Author Carl Sessions Stepp, a seasoned journalist at the national level, structures his system in three parts. He first evokes the art of writing, then applies that art to standard journalistic writing, and concludes with a strong section on advanced writing techniques for features. He also offers advice and tips on how newsrooms currently operate in the age of multimedia journalism. This revised edition includes an expanded exercise section at the end of each chapter, more coverage of the demands of multimedia journalism (convergence), and updated chapters on incorporating the Internet into research and writing for the daily news cycle.

272 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2000

Reviews

[Denise Reaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

CSS taught me how to place gold coins in my writing. For that, I've been thankful. In this work, he shares the stories of how we, as writers, approach our stories from various angles, often with a different lens. Storytelling is, indeed, an art. While this resource has long been used to instruct young journalists, Writing can help anyone pursuing the craft.

PS: I want to add this for my own children in case they ever see this after I die: this is the book for which I was interviewed and quoted. It is in my library. Don't recycle it. I'm a tad proud of it.

[Alicia Zuto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gem was sandwiched in between all my writing textbooks, workbooks ,journals, and personal projects. Had I known what an interesting ride it was, I would have read it sooner.

When I read a book I love, it's never really over. I am eager to apply it. I selfishly keep the book forever to reflect on, when necessary.

The title of this book is fittingly ingenious. For a writer from Pearson that is slowly divulging his secrets, I couldn't think of anything better than using the words craft and magic in the title. I enjoyed his style in terms of how he spaced everything out adequately. There's nothing more challenging than when an author jam-packs so much information that I get confused and read the same line over again;thinking I went on to the next.

The author summarized each chapter in a concise manner. It was an easy read and left plenty of room for me to put in little notes during each chapter. I love interacting with my book. I'm notorious for highlighting. I always write a paragraph or two at the end of each chapter of a book that I am learning from, to sum up my idea of it in my own words.

Although I started these disciplines on my own, he instructs to do such. Great minds think alike. I'm proud of myself to have the intellect to do something that such a respected writer has used in his teachings.


There's usually a portion to write at the end of each chapter as well. He titles each chapter and then uses headlines to break up each of them. This just works for me. I hope it inspires others as well. I am surprised that he hasn't gotten better ratings for this book.

The author also encourages you to look at other articles or novels that you have enjoyed and compare the disciplines such as the importance of a lead and kind of critique it. I did this. As well as critique his writing which matched right up to each of his teachings. He definitely practices what he's preaches and I commend that.

Some of the headlines I will make note of right here. I hope this helps others that are on the fence about purchasing the book themselves, despite the fact that it is not a recently published book. In my opinion it is definitely worth the time. It will help new writers and also inspire ones that are more experienced.
Some of the headlines are as follows....

-25 trade secrets for clearer writing
-conjuring the inner Magic
-energizing your reporting
-some leads with ambition
-the play on words
-a simple test for clarity
-strategies for clarity
-The six conversations
-winning reader commitment
-beginnings
-endings
-conclusions
There are so many more. I couldn't even begin to name them all but I will also take a few minutes to name a couple of the exercises.

-exercise; stage creative moments
-exercise; perform a mind stretch
-exercise; create an online presentation plan for your next story.
These exercises are more detailed but I just wanted to kind of give you an idea.
It was enjoyable to write this review since I enjoyed the book so much. I am hoping that it was able to help others decide whether it was fitting for them or not.
I wish all of the writers and avid readers out there the best of luck.

If I ever have the opportunity to write a book - I would set it up with titles and subtitles and room at the end of each chapter exactly like Carl Sessions has. Even in fiction - it's fun to look back at my old notes.

Most importantly, f you're still reading this, I thank you for your time.:)
Alicia Alibi Bella

[Leland Horton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheesy, but informative. (But not pefect, as that three-word description might indicate.)