A few years ago an intern did a study of the writing that showed up in our newspaper. He ran our stories through a computer program that measured the reading level you would need to understand each piece. It turned out that my stories were written at a fifth-grade level. If I remember right, I [...]
Tag Archives: The Charlotte Observer
For Bill Brown, Main Street’s Home
August 30, 2006 – 11:14 am
There’s a 1950s-sitcom feel to this piece about a mentally retarded man who spends his Saturdays visiting his fans on Main Street—but it’s not hoaky. Leland sets a theme and builds it through evidence: concrete detail, dialogue and scene. The voice is more transparent than sentimental. The structure has two tracks: a Saturday with Bill [...]
She’s Driven
March 8, 2006 – 1:52 pm
Leland illustrates a trend and in the process crafts an entertaining story. Linda O’Neal is a schedule-driven chauffeur mom who says she loves the way she lives her life. Leland raises questions.
We enjoyed her portrayal of O’Neal’s kids, particularly the scene in which Riley first spots his sister from the car. And we admired [...]
Gaming to the Max
May 3, 2005 – 3:25 pm
The subject of this profile is Max, an 11-year-old who plays hours of video games each day. Leland calls him “Game Boy.” It’s a compassionate but discerning look at contemporary childhood. The playfulness of the lead reminds us of Susan Orlean’s wonderful piece “The American Man at Age 10.” But the tone of Leland’s piece [...]
