Mastering the Art of Narrative Non-Fiction: Insights from Nick Bilton

We dive into an insightful conversation between Nick Bilton and David Perell from the “How I Write” podcast to learn how to be a better storyteller.
Nick Bilton, a journalist and author of American Kingpin, shares his approach to crafting narrative non-fiction that keeps readers hooked from the very first page.

From the podcast, Bilton outlines strategies for creating drama, tension, and character depth—essential elements that elevate storytelling.
Let’s break down the key takeaways from this podcast episode into actionable insights that writers can use to improve their storytelling.

Tension: The Core of Storytelling

Bilton opens with a fundamental lesson for writers: everything has to be about tension.

“You have to create drama and tension—everything has to be tension from the beginning; otherwise, why am I reading?”

This principle is true for all forms of storytelling, whether you’re writing a novel, screenplay, or article.
Without tension, readers have no reason to turn the page.
In a murder mystery, for example, tension is palpable as readers constantly wonder, “What would I do in this situation? How would I react?”

How to Build Tension

• Start with conflict: Right from the first sentence, there should be something unresolved—a question, problem, or mystery that demands answers.
  
• Use cliffhangers: End scenes or chapters with unresolved conflict to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
  
• Raise the stakes: As the story progresses, the consequences of failure should become more severe, making readers more invested in the outcome.
  

Learning from Murder Mysteries and Screenwriting

Bilton’s writing is heavily influenced by screenwriting and murder mysteries.
In screenplays, every single word counts because each page represents a minute of screen time.

“In screenwriting, every single word counts. I’m not exaggerating—every single solitary word.”

This tightness and economy of language apply to narrative non-fiction as well. Bilton also explains that his understanding of tension was further honed by studying murder mysteries, where characters are often bad people but remain compelling because of small, relatable details.

Humanizing Villains

One of the key lessons Bilton took from murder mysteries was the importance of humanizing even the worst characters.

He highlights a technique used by Alfred Hitchcock:

“Every murderer has a mother who loves them.”

This small touch makes villains more relatable.
The murderer may be a horrible person, but the fact that their mother loves them adds complexity to their character.

Other techniques to humanize bad characters include showing them dealing with mundane struggles, like losing their keys or dropping groceries.

Aim to have:

• Relatable flaws: Even the most villainous characters can become relatable if they have small, human flaws that readers can identify with.
  
• Good intentions: Show the character’s good intentions, even if their actions are questionable. Readers should understand what the character is striving for.
  

Crafting Compelling Characters

For Bilton, storytelling is all about emotion and character development. Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, you need to create characters that readers care about.
This is particularly important in narrative non-fiction, where real people and events must come to life in the reader’s mind.

“You need to show people what those good intentions are, what is it that people are actually going for, and if we can feel that, we get a more well-rounded character.”

Bilton’s Approach to Character Building:

• Themes: Start by being clear about the character’s motivations and ambitions. Bilton uses his book American Kingpin as an example, where the protagonist, Ross Ulbricht, is set up as someone who had failed early in life and was driven by a desire to rebel against the system.
  
• Emotional investment: Characters should evoke emotional responses. Whether readers love or hate them, they should care deeply about the outcome of the character’s story.
  
• Consistent themes: Once you establish your character’s main motivations, remind the reader of those motivations throughout the story. In American Kingpin, Bilton consistently reminds the reader of Ross’s ambition and desire for freedom.
  

Adapting to Different Storytelling Mediums

A fascinating part of the conversation focuses on how storytelling varies across different mediums, such as film, journalism, and books.

Bilton explains that in fiction, you often start with a captivating scene and slowly build toward the explanation, whereas in journalism, the most crucial details—the “nut graph”—come upfront.

“What makes a great story is a story that has emotion, intention, and characters.”

Different mediums require different approaches, but at the core, storytelling always relies on emotion, conflict, and character.

Comparing Storytelling Across Mediums:

• Journalism: Lead with the most important facts to grab attention, then provide context and wrap up with a kicker.
  
• Fiction: Start with an engaging scene, then slowly reveal the layers of the story, keeping the reader guessing until the end.
  
• Screenwriting: Get into scenes as late as possible and leave them as early as possible. Every word must count, and every action should move the story forward.
  

The Importance of Pacing

Pacing is another key aspect of storytelling that Bilton emphasizes.
In screenwriting, where one page equals one minute of screen time, pacing is critical. Every scene has to propel the story forward.

“There’s a saying in screenwriting that you should get into the scene as late as possible and out as early as possible.”

In narrative non-fiction, while there’s more room to explore details, Bilton explains that you still need to keep the story moving.
Too much detail can bog down the narrative, while too little can leave readers feeling ungrounded.

Tips for Mastering Pacing:

• Start scenes in the middle: Instead of showing every detail of a character entering a room, start with them already engaged in conversation. This method skips the boring parts and keeps the action flowing.
  
• Cut unnecessary details: While it’s tempting to describe everything in a scene, only include details that contribute to the mood, character development, or plot.
  
• Switch up the rhythm: Mix longer, descriptive passages with shorter, action-packed scenes to keep readers engaged.
  

Editing: From Screenplays to Books

The editing process for a screenplay is quite different from that of a book.
Bilton mentions that screenplays are best edited by reading them aloud.

This method helps the writer hear the natural rhythm of the dialogue and spot clunky or unnecessary lines.
Bilton even uses AI tools like Speechify or 11 Labs to have his screenplays read aloud to him.

For books or articles, the editing process may involve going through drafts in Google Docs and leaving comments.

However, no matter the medium, the focus should be on refining the narrative to keep readers engaged.

Bringing it All Together

The lessons shared by Nick Bilton on the “How I Write” podcast offer a masterclass in creating compelling, page-turning stories.
Whether you’re writing fiction, non-fiction, or screenplays, the key elements of storytelling remain the same: tension, character development, pacing, and emotion.

How to Be a Better Storyteller:

• Start with tension: Create conflict or a mystery from the very first sentence.
  
• Humanize your characters: Even villains need relatable qualities that make readers care about their fate.
  
• Adapt to your medium: Understand the different rules of storytelling in film, journalism, and books, and tailor your approach accordingly.
  
• Master pacing: Keep the story moving by cutting unnecessary details and starting scenes in the middle.
  
• Edit strategically: Whether it’s reading your screenplay aloud or working through drafts of an article, refine your work with the reader’s engagement in mind.
  

By applying these strategies, you can create stories that grip your audience from start to finish, just as Nick Bilton does in his work.

(Source: The “How I Write” Podcast with David Perrell featuring Nick Nick Bilton)