Details and War Writing. An Interview with Christopher Merrill

Abstract

In the interview Christopher Merrill explains the role of concrete details in war writing and war journalism. He reveals how drawing on details allows the writers to build the larger context for images of destruction and experiences in the war zones. Merrill recollects his memories from his trips around former Yugoslavia during the Balkan wars, from his journeys to Afghanistan, and other countries. He explains how to teach war writing by looking at good models. According to him only the challenging experience of the war zones lets the writer clarify if he wants to engage into war writing.