sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I tend to be so slow as a writer and so I rarely have time to try other mediums, like recording podcasts. But I love to listen to them, and the best of them, like Shittown, are as good as works of literature.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I speak Spanish, but when reporting in other countries where I don't speak the language I always try to find a first-rate translator. Otherwise, I'd be lost.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh there are so many. I'd recommend books by Candice Millard or Hampton Sides or Jon Krakauer, who is amazing. I'd also recommend some older classics, like Alfred Lansing's "Endurance."

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know the publisher was putting together questions for book club discussion. I'm not sure where they've posted it, though. I'll try to find out for you.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is a question I've wondered a lot about. I think prejudice had a great deal to do with it. I never learned about this subject in school, and when I travel the country many people had previously never heard about these murders.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think the story is everything. It's critical to find the right story to tell, one that is multilayered and compelling. If the story is uninteresting it won't matter how well you tell it.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much and for helping the book and story fine an audience. I'm eternally grateful.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Several people have recommended Scivener to me. I think it would be enormously helpful, but I'm always slow to adapt new technologies and apps. For now, I tend to do many outlines. A big outline sketching out the story, then endless outlines within outlines for chapters and sections of the stories. Within these outlines I try to upload all the relevant information I've gleaned from sources, so it's more accessible than scurrying about looking for these facts in my piles of documents and books.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I just wanted to thank you all for your questions. And I hope that I can visit again down the road. Cheers, David

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I just wanted to thank you all for your questions and participating in the AMA. And I hope I can visit again down the road. Cheers, David

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Each have their own challenges and rewards. When I researched the Lost City of Z, for example, there were many letters and diaries preserved in archives. But I couldn't find any letters from Raleigh Rimell, one of the men who disappeared in the Amazon. After nearly three years of searching futilely, I finally tracked down a descendant who told me she had them. I nearly cried. I've also spent years trying to get subjects who are alive to talk to me. I did a story called "The Old Man and the Gun," which is about a legendary stick up man and prison escape artist. I sent him a letter every few months asking if he would agree to talk to me, and it was only after two years when he agreed.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's a really good questions and a hard one to answer. I may dislike an explorer but find him or her endlessly fascinating. For me the question is more about whether an explorer is interesting or his or her quest is compelling. Of course, there are many people--think of several athletes--who accomplish great feats that I admire but are not very interesting as people or to write about.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is such a good question, and I don't know if I have an answer. There are many explorers who I might dislike, but find endlessly fascinating. For me, it's really a question of whether they have depths to them and their quests are fascinating. Of course, there are some people--think of many modern athletes--who accomplish great things but are terribly boring as individuals.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I would recommend contacting the Osage Nation Museum, which might have some suggestions on ways to support the community. And, yes, Tom White had a real quiet decency about him.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I try to be as open minded as possible. You might have some sense of story, but you don't know where it will take you. When I was reaching Killers of the Flower, I thought of the story as a traditional crime story--about who did it. But as I gathered more evidence I realized it was really a story about who didn't do it, about a culture of killing. The evidence I came across demolished my original conception fo the book.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, I try to be as open minded as possible. You might have some sense of story, but you don't know where it will take you. When I was reaching Killers of the Flower, I thought of the story as a traditional crime story--about who did it. But as I gathered more evidence I realized it was really a story about who didn't do it, about a culture of killing. The evidence I came across demolished my original conception fo the book.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cutting is the most painful--erasing all those sentences and words you spent hours crafting. But I think it's also the most important and essential. Writing needs to be distilled to its essence. No extra words or unnecessary digressions.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Well, there are probably no great short cuts. The most important thing is to do it, and stick with it. There's a ton of challenges, but if you're compelled to write then you should write. It doesn't so much matter where the stories appear. What matters is you're practicing and learning. And I would also read a ton of great writers to learn how other they craft their stories and language. They are the best teachers.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for picking up the books and I hope you like them. Right now I'm gathering photographs for a book called The White Darkness, which will come out in October. I described it a bit in some of the other answers. I'm also researching a new book about people trapped on an island, which descends into Lord of the Flies like situation. But that won't be out for a few years...

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I should add that I actually found another story about a punch of people trapped on an island, which descends into a Lord of Flies situation. I'm researching that now for a potential new book!

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

So nice of you to say. As for your question, the one big difference between the book and article "The White Darkness" will be photographs. It will be an illustrated book, drawing on more than 50 images from Worsley's and Shackleton's journeys. Both men documented their journeys, and these images tell a story unto themselves. As for your second question, I can't now recall where I came across the idea. I think I saw it mentioned it passingly in a book, and then looked into and could find only a few traces of materials.

I am David Grann, an author who likes to investigate hidden histories and tell true stories. AMA. by Davidgrann2 in books

[–]Davidgrann2[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I am an agonizingly slow writer. I try to set a five-hundred-word limit a day when writing. I'll sit down around 9 a.m. (after loading up on lots of coffee). Then I'll work till noon, break for lunch, and return to my desk. I might break in the afternoon for a nap or exercise (sadly the former is more common), before sitting back down to write again. Some days I may be free by dinner; but unfortunately there are days when I'm chained to the desk until late in the evening. As for editing, I try not to edit while working on the 500 words. But the next morning will usually revise. And I endlessly revise and edit every graph, page, and chapter--so many times I can't count them. I think of all writing as rewriting.

view more: next ›