Pamela Gwyn Kripke

After graduate school, I packed a suitcase and left New York for Mississippi to launch my journalism career. On Day Three, my news director sent me to interview the don of the Dixie Mafia, a man who, despite his grandfatherly charm, had been arrested on several counts of racketeering. He had done far worse. Expecting that an inexperienced Ivy Leaguer would get nothing from the Gulf Coast’s most infamous criminal, my boss was as stunned as I when D. J. Venus would talk with only me from that day forward.

He was the first of thousands of sources who would tell me about their lives, their work, their wishes and regrets. Early on, I realized that every story is about people--who they are, what they want, what they do to achieve it, or not. I’ve had the good fortune to meet and observe so many people in the throes of so many plights, and this deep experience informs my approach to teaching. To me, you are another source, and I will draw out the essence of your story and help you tell it with craft, clarity and passion.

Along with my reporting of news and feature stories, I’ve published personal essays in The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Dallas Morning News, Slate, Salon, The Huffington Post, This Old House, Medium, Gannett Newspapers, McClatchy Newspapers and The New York Post. My essays were also nationally syndicated by Creators Syndicate. As I have done, you will learn how to write a story that will move readers, that will show who you are and why.

Wherever you are in the process, or however stuck you may be, I am confident that I will help you find your voice. I’m available online and looking forward to working with you.