New York Times’ Frank Bruni shares his tools for versatile writing

Longtime New York Times reporter Frank Bruni doesn’t have a set beat. Instead, he skillfully wanders as a writer by exploring a variety of topics.

Take a look at Bruni’s most recent stories and you’ll see what I mean. In the past week or so, he’s written a review of a food memoir, a profile on Gayle King and a story about where to get a decent drink in Times Square. Bruni has also written books — including one about his complicated relationship with food and another about George W. Bush.

So, how did he get to be such a versatile writer?

In our edited e-mail exchange below, Bruni talks about how he prepares for stories and offers tips for journalists who want to experiment with different genres.