April Breakfast Speaker Series
Dorie Chevlen
New York Times and Wirecutter Staff Writer
"Who Cares? How to Write a Story That Gets Read"
New York Times and Wirecutter Staff Writer
"Who Cares? How to Write a Story That Gets Read"
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
8 - 9:30 a.m.
Eastern Gateway Community College
101 E. Federal St., Youngstown
8 - 9:30 a.m.
Eastern Gateway Community College
101 E. Federal St., Youngstown
When Dorie Chevlen was starting out in journalism, as a copyeditor at a science magazine, her primary concern for good storytelling was just making sure everything was grammatically sound and factual. Later, in her work writing film reviews and product reviews, the stories had to help the reader solve a problem. (Should I see this movie? or What gift should I buy for my spouse?) In her essay work and in human interest reporting, that question grows even deeper: What makes something interesting to a reader? Why should they care about something happening to someone else, somewhere else? As she pivots to screenwriting, the questions grow larger yet: Why should someone care about the made-up story of someone who doesn't even exist?
The common thread in all writing -- hard news, opinion essays, product reviews, fiction, human interest stories -- is to tap into readers' quest for the basic truths which unite us all: shared desires and shared fears. It may sound lofty, especially if you're writing a nuts-and-bolts story, but that's what motivates your readers, whether they're conscious of it or not. Even in a seemingly forgettable lifestyle piece about hobby greenhouse builders, the real story is the innate human desire to create life, and our fears of providing for ourselves in times of duress. Even a simple story is complex, and it's the writer's job to reveal that.
Youngstown native Dorie Chevlen is a staff writer at the New York Times and Wirecutter, where she reports on human interest stories and products.
Now based in Los Angeles (after several happy years in New York City), Chevlen's nonfiction writing has been published by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Glamour and Slate, among others. A fiction writer and screenwriter, her scripts have won or placed in multiple contests including Script Pipeline, Women’s Weekend Film Challenge, Final Draft Big Break, and ScreenCraft.
The cost for this event is $15 for members of the Youngstown Press Club; $20 for non-members.
Reservations are required.
For more information contact the Youngstown Press Club at youngstownpressclub@gmail.com
Reserve your spot by filling out the form below.
Pay via PayPal below.
The common thread in all writing -- hard news, opinion essays, product reviews, fiction, human interest stories -- is to tap into readers' quest for the basic truths which unite us all: shared desires and shared fears. It may sound lofty, especially if you're writing a nuts-and-bolts story, but that's what motivates your readers, whether they're conscious of it or not. Even in a seemingly forgettable lifestyle piece about hobby greenhouse builders, the real story is the innate human desire to create life, and our fears of providing for ourselves in times of duress. Even a simple story is complex, and it's the writer's job to reveal that.
Youngstown native Dorie Chevlen is a staff writer at the New York Times and Wirecutter, where she reports on human interest stories and products.
Now based in Los Angeles (after several happy years in New York City), Chevlen's nonfiction writing has been published by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Glamour and Slate, among others. A fiction writer and screenwriter, her scripts have won or placed in multiple contests including Script Pipeline, Women’s Weekend Film Challenge, Final Draft Big Break, and ScreenCraft.
The cost for this event is $15 for members of the Youngstown Press Club; $20 for non-members.
Reservations are required.
For more information contact the Youngstown Press Club at youngstownpressclub@gmail.com
Reserve your spot by filling out the form below.
Pay via PayPal below.
Pay via PayPal: