Roy Peter Clark
Poynter
St. Petersburg, FL, United States
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Past articles by Roy:
How to write fast — or at least faster
12 fast-writing strategies that will give you energy, focus and momentum. → Read More
One brash request, 7 books, and 34 bits of advice for writers
How a whimsical invitation featuring the Rolling Stones and a Shelley poem led to some essential writing advice. → Read More
What do readers find most interesting? Things they can see, touch or smell.
As the media coverage of the queen’s funeral grapples with abstract questions, consider the spider and other details that help us see. → Read More
The passing of the queen recalls an important writing strategy
Seven different pals sent me an identical message to deliver the news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II: ‘The Queen, my lord, is dead.’ → Read More
How truthful are memoirs?
The Pulitzer Board needs to answer that question soon → Read More
How a bigshot writing coach beats writer’s block
These 6 eccentric tips have worked for Roy Peter Clark into his 20th book as author or editor. → Read More
The best Pulitzer Prize leads of 2022
Roy Peter Clark breaks down his top picks in the writing categories — and explains what makes them so great. → Read More
In journalism, 'objective' is a good word with a noble history. But let's consider 'distance from neutrality.'
Just because journalists choose to be neutral about some things does not mean they have to be neutral in all things. → Read More
What writers can learn from at-home COVID test instructions. Yes, really. –
Want to see what civic clarity looks like? Read the directions for Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 self-test. → Read More
The freedoms and responsibilities of all public writers –
‘A Free and Responsible Press’ — a mirror of our times from 1947 — offers a blueprint of requirements for responsible communication with the public. → Read More
How to write with honesty in the plain style
It’s a middle ground between an ornate high style and a low style that gravitates toward slang. Write in it when you want your audience to comprehend. → Read More
There’s no such thing as a former journalist
Journalists who change professions are met with judgment and half-jokes about joining the Dark Side. How sad, how narrow, how counterproductive. → Read More
May the words be with you: What writers can learn from ‘Star Wars’
After more than 40 years, the Force is still with us. "Star Wars" is everywhere. And so is its influence on the craft of writing. → Read More
What buzzards on a branch can teach us about not being timid writers
A look back at the best anecdote ever in memory of great storyteller Larry McMurtry → Read More
When the topic is tough, frame it as a ‘mystery’ to be solved
It’s a ‘secret’ that all good public writers know. Call it clickbait for nerds. → Read More
Especially where Ted Cruz is concerned, always get the name of the dog
In journalism, I advise people to "always get the name of the dog" — and this story perfectly illustrates why. → Read More
Did Donald Trump intentionally incite violence with his language? It doesn’t matter.
Speakers and writers should be held responsible for their public words whether their language is literal or figurative. → Read More
Lessons in the purpose of poetic language from a presidential inauguration
Word master Roy Peter Clark reflects on the inaugural poem by Amanda Gorman, and the power of words to speak to the times. → Read More
In the spirit of the season, the Poynter Institute proudly presents
Roy Peter Clark is a New Yorker but lives in Florida, which hardly feels festive. So, here, he celebrates Christmas with a collection of essays and songs. → Read More
What I learned from becoming an accidental columnist in 2020
In his Sunday columns for the Tampa Bay Times, Roy Peter Clark sought to make 2020 more tolerable. Here are 5 things readers taught him. → Read More