 For Authors: August 15, 2007 Issue [#1894] |
  For Authors
This week: Edited by: terryjroo
More Newsletters By This Editor 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
About a month ago, I was the guest editor of this newsletter and posted a poll ("Invalid Item" ). I noticed that a few of the respondents answered that they wrote non-fiction prose or both types of prose. So today I'm going to discuss a bit about writing non-fiction.
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| ASIN: 0995498113 |
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Amazon's Price: $ 19.95
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** Image ID #1305002 Unavailable **
Delving into Non-Fiction
When I think of non-fiction writing, many things come to mind. News, business, sports and recreation, biography, travel, politics, psychology, history, how-to, entertainment and text books (hey, I'm a college student, too) are just a few. Like any type of writing, non-fiction can be engaging or boring, depending on the author and the tools they employ to relay the information to the reader.
The Obvious
Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation is a must for well-formed non-fiction writing.
Weighing Your Words
Word choice, in all writing, is crucial if you wish the reader to form a clear picture in their head. Sure, words carry different connotations for each person, so you will never truly get across the exact picture, but you should try to come close. Many writers use general terms when a more specific noun or descriptive verb would better describe the situation. On the other hand, a few writers exaggerate every situation, making it seem that each little thing is absolutely critical and everything is a crisis or a celebration, with nothing in between. A happy balance must be struck where the appropriate words are used each time.
Description
Description is more than just a rundown of the surroundings or recounting the event verbatim. It can work for or against the writer, depending on how the writer works it into the piece. If done well, description melds events together seamlessly, allowing the story to progress along a central theme and draw to a tidy conclusion. If, however, the description is awkward or cumbersome, it detracts from the piece and can lead the reader astray or even prevent them from reaching the end.
Don't forget to describe the people involved in your tale, as well. Showing the humanistic side of any event helps the reader relate to it on a personal level.
Cold, Hard Facts
Dealing with facts and figures are a necessary evil in non-fiction writing. They are dry and boring, but essential. Try to work them in as painlessly as possible. If you use acronyms, provide the entire name after the first instance since not all readers are familiar with even the most common abbreviations. When using numbers, try to stick to whole numbers, rounding when needed or if numbers are extremely large (in the millions or billions) using approximations such as, just over 3 billion versus 3,000,011,000.
So, where ever your interests lead, don't be shy when it comes to recounting a true tale. Give us something compelling, with a touch of human interest and you'll have plenty of fans for the long haul.
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Some terrific non-fiction from around WDC:
|  | Highways (E)
The road you are on may circle back, when you tinker with an old family recipe.
#1201268 by KimChi   |
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This item number is not valid.
#1156183 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1304196 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#984857 by Not Available. |
And a satirical news piece I couldn't resist sharing:
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: B01MQP5740 |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
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These comments pertain to "For Authors Newsletter (July 18, 2007)" .
"Very nice Newsletter, Terry. I enjoyed reading it, although I had to read it a few times to understand it fully. (Do I understand it fully even now?)
Thank you for writing this Newsletter! Write On!
With all due Respect,
Serenath Irvim"
Thank you for your comments, Serenath. I may have to go back and reread it myself! 
"To the Editor,
I write poetry almost exclusively, but wish I could write sensible,readable prose as well. In our home there two writers, one prose, one poetry. Perhaps we should combine our talents. Yes?? Regards, Bob."
Ahhh, yes! The halibun would suit you two well, Bob! Give it a look!  "The Haibun"
"Thank you Terryjroo for hosting this newsletter this week. I kept thinking to myself-oh I have to save this part- but as I continued reading I found everything written was helpful and I really appreciate all your hard work. I will keep this whole issue in my favorites for easy access.
Thank you very much!
Namaste,
Esotaria"
Thank you for the lovely compliment, Esotaria! Newsletters are also archived for easy access. You can find them by going to Site Tools under Site Navigation. Select Newsletters and then simply go to Writing.com Newsletter Archives. 
"Ter - Thank you so much for featuring one of my poems in your newsletter! I think I learned a lot about what it is I actually write! And I think you were very accurate in stating that in today's world, the lines are becoming blended and there are a lot of gray areas where a piece could be considered both.
Thanks for a great newsletter!
Fleck "
Glad to feature one of your poems, Fleck! Also glad you learned something ~ I learned some things as well.
"I was very pleased to see an article about the differences between prose and poetry. It's interesting to me, because I never could categorize my writings. It seems there is always such a thin line between the two, but most often I just feel more comfortable with saying that I write 'unconventional' variations of both. Thanks for delving into such an argued topic. I enjoyed it thoroughly."
I am beginning to think many of us write unconventional variations of both. Can I borrow that? 
"Wonderful newsletter. Good idea to discuss the definitions of prose and poetry! I'd like to add my favorite definition of poetry by the German poetess Hilde Domin. In my own free translation:
Poetry
The non-word
stretched out
between word and word."
Thank you for sharing that definition. I'm going to meditate on that one.
"Thanks for explaining what prose is. I wasn't exactly sure, so I labeled a couple of my portfolio items as essays. Now I know they should be listed as "prose". It was good to learn something new. Thanks!"
Essays are simply a specific type of prose. Prose is a very generic term so it covers a wide category of items. I'm glad that you learned something new.
"This was a very informative newsletter. Thank you for writing it. :)"
You're welcome!
"Awesome newsletter, Ter. Very informative and obviously well researched! Thank you for featuring one of my poems. It is such a kick to see that and it made my day! Plus I had lots of new people visit my port!
Loved that you had the poll...that was different and fun!"
Thanks, Fyn! Speaking of the poll, the results were interesting. If you haven't had a chance to vote yet, or want to see the results, here it is again: "Invalid Item"
"What a great newsletter Ter! I've read many of the pieces here, and couldn't agree more that they're excellent."
Thanks for reading, Sherri!
"Terry, 2 thumbs on a great newsletter. I loved how you explained the difference between prose & poetry. It was easy to understand and made a lot of sense!"
Thanks, Steph! I'm glad it made sense.
"EXCELLENT Newsletter ~ this is the best comparison of prose to poetry I have EVER read! Of particularly interest were your remarks regarding how much of the contemporary poetry we see now has departed from (in my view, woefully so) the foundational basics to which original forms of poetry artfully and admirably adhered. For me, much of what today passes for poetry reads more like like alphabet soup. I've always perceived poetry much as Mr. Engle does ~ prose held to a far higher standard, and embracing the Poetic Devices you so deftly list and discuss here. This was a SUPERB NEWSLETTER ~ one I intend to save to my hard drive! KUDOS, terryjroo!"
Wow, what a wonderful comment.  Thank you! I'm a fence sitter when it comes to modern poetry ~ some I like, some I don't. It all depends on the poet. Speaking of devices, the inspired spidey  created "Invalid Item" after reading this newsletter. Check it out!
"I liked the definition from Paul Engle. That was a very good one. I used to write a lot of poetry. Believe it or not there are some who think that poetry has to be all sunny stuff. But a number of my poems expressed my true feelings when I needed to express them and could not put them into prose. I was writing in a diary when I wrote my first poem. It so expressed my feelings that I was ever alert then on for more of the poetic expressions to appear. Always loved reading them. Thanks for a good piece."
All sunny stuff ~ hmmm, those people wouldn't like my work then! I'm glad that you found poetry to help express your feelings.
I won't be able to write another For Authors newsletter for awhile, due to school starting again in less than two weeks. I wanted to say thank you, in advance, for reading. It is my pleasure to write for you, in hopes you will learn something new or at least find the topic interesting. You can find me in my regular spot over at the Contests & Activities newsletter once a month.
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