#99 John DeDakis: From White House Press Room to Novels & Edits

Episode #99 – John DeDakis: From White House Press Room to Novels & Edits

In this episode, I talk with John DeDakis — former White House correspondent, longtime journalist, editor at CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, now novelist, writing coach, and editor. We unpack what it means to tell stories in news versus fiction, the hard lessons behind writing & rewriting, and how editing makes (or breaks) everything.

We cover:

·         What it was like being a White House correspondent (including covering presidents, handling fast-breaking political stories)

·         Working in newsrooms, particularly editing for CNN’s The Situation Room and what senior copy editing taught him about clarity, deadlines, and truth in storytelling

·         How John made the jump from journalism to fiction: his first novel, the process, revisions, the rejections, and ultimately getting published

·         The importance of editing: in journalism, in novels, in shaping story structure, voice, pacing — how a good editor or self-editing can elevate a work significantly 

About John DeDakis

·         Former White House correspondent (during Reagan administration)

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