Nick Bilton: The Art of Storytelling in Films, Journalism, and Murder Mysteries | How I Write

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Sep 11, 2024

Nick Bilton, a journalist with a knack for storytelling, shares insights on captivating narratives. He dives into the essentials of storytelling, emphasizing emotion, tension, and character development. Discover how to create compelling moments that resonate with audiences, whether in screenwriting or journalism. Bilton discusses the balance between ambition and empathy, and the role of sensory details in narrative design. Plus, he reflects on lessons learned from his journalism journey, highlighting the importance of responsibility and diverse perspectives.

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ADVICE

Creating Tension

Create drama and tension from the very beginning of your story to hook readers.
Build suspense to keep readers engaged and wanting to turn the page.

INSIGHT

Life as a Story

Everything in life is a story, from supermarket pitches to dinner conversations.
Great stories combine emotion, tension, and compelling characters.

ANECDOTE

Learning from Murder Mysteries

Nick Bilton learned narrative nonfiction by writing screenplays and studying murder mysteries.
A friend's critique of his Twitter book draft highlighted the importance of relatable characters.

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