Paul Wells on Writing Politics for Newspapers, Magazines, Books & Substack
Paul Wells is a leading Canadian political journalist and author. We met at his offices in Ottawa to talk about his impressive career, and his craft writing about politics for newspapers, magazines, books, and now\xa0Substack. Topics covered include: observing and interviewing politicians; reading and remembering history; putting events into context; pre-revolutionary Paris; pedagogical magazine writing; helping people; recited formulas, thrown slogans, and knowing you\u2019re being lied to; the difficulty politicians experience making a difference; discussing issues in their full complexities; \u201cthe wall of words,\u201d \u201cthe significant trifle,\u201d including yourself and analysis in your narratives; paying for Substack subscriptions because you want to comment; filling the \u2018weekend supplement\u2019 niche; understanding each other as neighbours; and the secret to a successful marriage.