Courtesy of Maria Carabelli
Award-winning author gives career advice and storytelling tips to aspiring journalists
BY KARLOS CORIA, STAFF WRITER
“It’s just me being honest. I don’t know any other way to do it.” That’s how celebrated New York Times best-selling author Jason Reynolds described his approach to writing about difficult topics during a candid conversation with students at Mason on Tuesday, April 1. Hosted by Professor Brenna Maloney’s COMM 369 class, Reynolds spoke candidly to students crowded into a small conference room, sharing insights on reading, writing, and his creative process.
Reynolds, known for his young adult novels such as “Long Way Down,” “Stamped” and “Miles Morales: Spider-Man,” emphasized authenticity as the cornerstone of his craft. “We like to deify our own work,” he said, pushing back against self-important tendencies that can creep into storytelling. He roots his narratives firmly in lived experiences: “I’m super emotional. I grew up a sensitive kid in a tough household.”
Throughout the discussion, Reynolds underscored the importance of both practice and creative discipline for aspiring writers. “Practice and creativity— that’s what writing is about,” he said plainly. He was equally adamant about the necessity of reading as a means to master the craft: “You need the rules so that you understand—so that when you break the rules, you know how.”
When asked how fiction storytelling techniques could inform journalism, Reynolds praised stylistic elements often overlooked in traditional reporting. “I love repetition, I love refrain. I rarely see it in journalistic work—but I’d like to.” Still, he cautioned students to value clarity above all else: “Don’t be fooled, everybody. Nothing beats a short, lucid sentence.”
Reynolds also spoke openly about periods of creative stagnation, recalling how, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, he found inspiration in an unlikely place. “I read the ‘Captain Underpants’ books over and over again,” he said, grinning. “Those books are genius.” This unlikely source of inspiration sparked a breakthrough. When he finally began writing his acclaimed book “Long Way Down,” Reynolds said, “I was done in 20 minutes.”
The conversation took a deeper turn when Reynolds addressed the portrayal of real-world issues through fiction. He described fiction as “less rigid,” explaining that facts inform stories, but the narrative freedom fiction offers makes difficult topics more approachable and impactful.
A highlight of the conversation was Reynolds’ response to a student asking about Miles Morales, Marvel’s Spider-Man, whom Reynolds helped shape into the beloved hero audiences know today.
While the late Stan Lee famously expressed the idea that, “Anyone can wear the mask,” Reynolds pointed out the significance of Morales’ Black and Puerto Rican identity: “We live in the real world. Anyone can wear the mask; some people can wear it a little easier.” He added, smiling knowingly, “Spidey sense ain’t nothing but an instinct yo’ [sic] mama gave you.”
Reynolds explained that his goal when developing Morales was straightforward. “I wanted to make Miles feel a little more grounded, more rooted in his youth,” he said. The approach resonated strongly with students, who listened closely as Reynolds demystified his process and encouraged them to trust their own instincts. “The hardest part about the work that we’re doing—the work that you’re doing—is trusting yourself,” he reminded them.
Before concluding, Reynolds underscored the responsibility and power writers carry, reminding students that today, audiences might only remember the newspaper’s name, but it’s essential to recognize that “The writer is the engine.”
Reynolds’ visit left students with practical advice and a renewed appreciation for the craft of writing. Perhaps his most resonant message was also the simplest: honesty is always the best policy, in writing as in life. As Reynolds himself repeated, “It’s just me being honest. I don’t know any other way to do it.”
