What powerful narrative nonfiction does: it changes lives, just like that.
Thank you
, , , , , , , and many others for tuning into my live video about the craft of narrative nonfiction with Pulitzer prize-winning author !Ed is a Southern California journalist and author of 16 nonfiction books, most recently Total Garbage: How We Can Fix Our Waste and Heal Our World, and The Forever Witness: How Genetic Genealogy Solved a Cold Case Double Murder. He’s also used human narratives to tell the stories of Evolution, Arson, Education, Neonatal medicine, and currently… SODA!
Ed’s work has earned a Pulitzer Prize and a PEN Award, among other honors. You can read more HERE. He also has a Substack about narrative nonfiction, The Art of Being There:
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What makes Narrative Nonfiction magic?
In this interview, Ed guided us through the creation stories for several of his books. But his most important story was about a song that exemplifies the magical power of narrative nonfiction —to move us.
Ed once heard Bonnie Raitt perform “Just Like That” at the Greek Theatre, where the audience became completely silent —not a sound in an otherwise raucous concert venue. Before singing, Raitt explained the song was based on a true story: A woman had been living in inconsolable grief for years after the tragic death of her young son. One day, she answers her door to find a stranger. When she asks who he is and what he wants, he tells her he’s been searching for her for years. When she asks why, he reveals: “I’m the man your son saved by giving me his heart.”
The line in the song is: “Just like that, your life can change.” And, as Ed explained, that’s exactly what powerful narrative nonfiction does: it changes lives, just like that.
Our brains are hardwired for stories, which is what gives narrative nonfiction a mystical edge over straightforward journalism. Both deliver the facts, but narrative nonfiction shapes the facts into stories that move us. The difference is transformative emotional power.
Here are a few of the stories Ed used to power his own books:
Total Garbage - Sarah Lakeman, a Maine woman, pioneered Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation that shifts packaging waste costs to manufacturers. Her grassroots efforts led to Maine becoming the first state to pass this groundbreaking law, which is now spreading to other states. The story demonstrates how one person’s dedication can create systemic change.
Force of Nature - This book explored the unlikely partnership between a river guide turned sustainability guru and Walmart’s CEO. Humes used this story to reach red-state audiences by showing that Walmart—not known for altruism—became one of the nation’s biggest recyclers for purely economic reasons, making sustainability relatable to skeptical audiences.
The Forever Witness - A detective haunted by a past failure became the hero of this book about genetic genealogy solving a cold case double murder.
Ed also described his very first exposure to narrative nonfiction in the form of John Hersey’s Hiroshima. At age 13, Ed met an elderly woman whose son was the bombardier who dropped the bomb on Nagasaki. This encounter led him to read Hiroshima (pub. 1946). The book profoundly influenced his approach to storytelling through its focus on six survivors’ personal experiences.
Key takeaways on the craft of Narrative Nonfiction
Ed’s insights about identifying, structuring, and dramatizing stories in nonfiction are not to be missed. Here are just a few of the important takeaways for writers:
What Is Narrative Nonfiction?
Narrative nonfiction is a hybrid genre that combines literary storytelling techniques (character development, setting, structure) with journalistic exposition. It encompasses memoir, biography, true crime, and science writing—using emotional engagement to make readers feel something beyond conventional journalism.
The Golden Rule: Don’t Give Away the Ending
The most critical principle is withholding the conclusion at the start. Unlike traditional journalism’s inverted pyramid structure, narrative nonfiction creates suspense by raising questions without immediately answering them.
Start with Stakes and Jeopardy
Begin stories by establishing what’s at risk. Focus on conflict, uncertainty, and what’s in jeopardy to activate readers’ hardwired receptivity to storytelling.
“Interrogate the Weird”
Look for the unexpected, the violations of expectations, and unusual angles. Stories that surprise readers—like conservative Iowa farmers embracing wind energy—create powerful engagement.
Find Your Human Narrative
Complex topics like waste management or genetic genealogy become accessible through individual human experiences. Personal stories provide the emotional entry point that facts alone cannot achieve.
Trust the Story’s Structure
Allow narratives to unfold naturally rather than front-loading information. Embrace dramatic arcs with beginnings, middles, and satisfying resolutions.
Balance Narrative and Exposition
While pure narrative is ideal, specialized topics require integrating explanatory journalism. The challenge is making this exposition feel seamless within the story.
BONUS: Ed’s research app recommendation
Grain automatically takes notes, records, transcribes and summarizes meetings and interviews.
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By popular demand of our Zoom Loreates, we’re now going to gather online every two months on the third Saturday. This day and time seem to work for everyone from Hawaii to Switzerland, so…
Our next Loreate Zoom gathering is Saturday, NOVEMBER 15, at 10amPT!
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All paid subscribers are welcome as we discuss the thorny issues bedeviling our collective writing life. At this gathering, we’ll debrief on my Nov. 12 Well Published Live interview with literary Agent Kimberley Cameron, and on literary agents in general. Consider this online space our Loreate Salon.
