The difference between a journalist and a writer
How do journalism and fiction each contribute to good storytelling? According to authors Peter Ernstved Rasmussen and Leif Davidsen, the common denominator between their writing and journalism is the good story - which can be more or less based on reality.
Peter Ernstved Rasmussen the author behind the book Forsvarsløs, believe the core of journalism is clear: “Journalism is about documenting events. We are there when they happen; we are the first to write about them, and then the historians come afterwards to connect the threads and convey the story.”
As a journalist, he is committed to truth and facts. His work uncovers injustices and shreds critical light on systems.
Fiction, which Leif Davidsen masters in his books, lastest I skyggen af krigen, has a different purpose: to convey a story so exciting that the reader cannot put the book down. Davidsen explains: “I want the readers to think, 'I'm really tired and have to go to work tomorrow, but I'll just read one more chapter.”
In the fictional form, it is about telling a story that could be plausible, but first and foremost a good story that entertains and engages by creating vivid characters and complex topics within realistic frameworks.
Despite their different purposes, the two genres share a range of communicative techniques. Both build on the ability to create a strong narrative, regardless of whether the story is true or invented. They employ dramatic curves, build suspense, and pay attention to detail to engage the reader. A good journalistic narrative can captivate like a thriller; a suspense novel is often based on extensive research.
Conveying complex, somber topics in a way that makes people want to listen hinges on the personal and the relatable. Ernstved's insight makes system criticism relatable. Davidsen's ability to anchor dramas in people's lives allows the reader to step into a reality without being overwhelmed.
Both Leif Davidsen and Peter Ernstved Rasmussen are affiliated with Egmont's Danish publisher, Lindhardt og Ringhof. For decades, Lindhardt og Ringhof has published quality books that entertain, inform, and inspire – and today, it publishes books in more than 30 languages across most of the world.