The Art of Retelling: Transforming Classic Tales Anew
Dive into how classic stories are retold for modern audiences, keeping timeless themes relevant.
Personal narrative, thoughtfully edited
Stories, by heart
A place for lived experience, careful reflection, and practical guidance for telling the truth with style.
Start readingLatest from By Heart Story
New stories across Essays, Interviews, Craft.
Crafting Dialogue that Resonates: A Writer's Guide
Explore the nuances of crafting dialogue that captures character essence and enhances storytelling.
Personal Narratives: Voices of Survival and Triumph
Examining how personal narratives give voice to survival stories and the resilience of the human spirit.
Interview with Nadia Kline: Exploring New Literary Horizons
Join us as Nadia Kline discusses her literary journey and the new directions her writing is taking.
Field Notes from Afar: Stories of Travel and Discovery
This collection of field notes explores the transformative experience of travel and discovery through diverse landscapes.
The Evolution of Fairy Tales in Modern Culture
Explore how traditional fairy tales adapt in contemporary culture, reflecting societal changes and new perspectives.
Interviewing Through Empathy: Crafting Genuine Conversations
Explore how empathy enriches interviews, leading to genuine and insightful conversations.
The Broken Narratives: Revisiting Discarded Stories
Unveil the significance of revisiting and reviving discarded narratives in understanding our history and cultural evolution.
Finding Your Voice as a Writer: A Personal Journey
Discover the steps to finding and honing your unique writing voice with guidance from seasoned authors.
Voices of Change: Interviews with Emerging Authors
Discover insights and inspirations from emerging authors on the forefront of literary innovation and diversity.
Crafting Intimacy: Writing Personal Essays with Impact
Uncover techniques for writing personal essays that build intimacy and leave a lasting impact on readers.
Engaging the Senses: Writing Descriptive Scenes with Precision
Learn how to craft vivid, sensory-rich scenes that immerse readers and enhance your storytelling.
By Heart Story publishes writing that listens closely: to memory, to language, and to the quiet details that make a life feel specific.
What we publish
Reported personal essays, intimate interviews, and field notes that explore how people make meaning from relationships, change, work, place, and belonging.
How we approach craft
We favor clarity over performance, structure over vagueness, and empathy over certainty. Each piece aims to be readable, precise, and emotionally honest.
What you can expect
Standalone stories that hold up on their own, plus recurring series on revision, scene-building, voice, and the ethics of writing about real people.
A small library of big feelings
Three ways to read the site, whether you want guidance, company, or a spark for your own writing.
Signature essays
Narratives with stakes, scene, and reflection.
8–12 min
Learn moreConversations
Interviews on memory, language, and creative process.
5–10 Qs
Learn moreCraft notes
Practical tools for revision, structure, and voice.
1 takeaway
Learn moreGet one good story at a time
A brief weekly note with a new piece, a craft prompt, and a line worth keeping.
No spam, no noise—just clean reading.“The best personal writing doesn’t shout. It shows its work, names what’s tender, and leaves room for the reader to recognize themselves.”