 For Authors: August 20, 2008 Issue [#2559] |
  For Authors
This week: Edited by: Cubby  
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Hello, everyone! Welcome to this edition of the For Authors newsletter.  This week's topic is focused on nonfiction, but first off, I'd like to share a few quotes with you that are related to writing. Enjoy!
Quotes:
*
The act of putting pen to paper
encourages pause for thought,
this in turn makes us think more deeply about life,
which helps us regain our equilibrium.
~ Norbet Platt
*
Writing became such a process of discovery
that I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning:
I wanted to know what I was going to say.
~ Sharon O'Brien
*
The time to begin writing an article is when
you have finished it to your satisfaction.
By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive
what it is you really want to say.
~ Mark Twain |
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~*~* ~ Write Non-fiction? Me? ~*~*~
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Definitions [cited from Dictionary.com]
 nonfiction - [noun]
1. the branch of literature comprising works of narrative prose dealing with or offering opinions or conjectures upon facts and reality, including biography, history, and the essay
I've always thought of myself as a fiction writer, especially geared toward children and young adults. Recently, however, I've discovered I enjoy writing non-fiction. It's something I never dreamed I'd be doing, but I'm finding it fascinating. If you could see my bookshelves right now, one side is filled with violin/fiddle books and the other side is stacked with all reference books, mostly about writing. You will not find one fiction book among them.
Why is that? Well, I do have three or four fiction books piled on my night stand next to my bed, but they are library loans. And the fact that I work in a library is a plus. I don't need to buy my own fiction books if I can borrow them, right? But... I do buy reference books. Why would you do that, if you can borrow them from a library?  Because... I like to write in my books  , highlight interesting information, and  dog-ear my pages! You cannot do those things to a library book. Well, you are not suppose to anyway. 
Tips for Writing Nonfiction
Ask yourself questions such as:
1. What is it I am writing about? It could be a book review, a travel piece, perhaps a How-to article, a newsletter, etc.
2. Why am I writing it? To recommend a good read? Suggest a great place to vacation? Are you sharing a step-by-step process? Are you pulling together community-related features?
3. Who will read it? Specific genre readers? Travel magazine readers? Is it geared toward children? Men? Women?
4. When will it be read? Is it a seasonal piece, or could it be read at anytime?
5. Where will it be read? While at work? During your travels? Home? On a computer?
Organize your paragraphs properly:
 Begin with an introduction to your piece.
Make sure your paragraphs are in chronological order. In other words, if you are writing a travel piece, don't skip around the map.
If you are writing a How-to article, make sure your instructions are in proper order. You might want someone you know follow your steps to be sure they are clear.
Think of your nonfiction piece as a time line. If you are writing about a week of events, begin with the first day's activities, followed by the second day's, and so on.
Be sure to summarize your piece by focusing on main points. Don't ramble in the end.
Check the copyright date of your sources:
 It's important that your facts are accurate. Always check the copyright date of any written material you use as a source. Sometimes information changes. Make sure your sources are up-to-date.
Citing Sources
 Don't forget to cite your sources. It can be confusing as to when this is necessary and how exactly it is done, so I'll share a few good websites I discovered that do a great job explaining it all:
Sources: About Citing Sources: When to Cite Sources
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~sources/about/when.html
MLA Citation Style
http://www.liu.edu/CWIS/CWP/library/workshop/citmla.htm
When to Cite Sources
http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pub/integrity/pages/citing.html
A few interesting books to consider checking out:
 On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William K. Zinsser
Keep It Real: Everything You Need to Know About Researching and Writing Creative Nonfiction by Lee Gutkind
Writing Nonfiction, 4th Edition: Turning Thoughts into Books by Dan Poynter
For additional online information, browse the following links:
Five Fast and Easy Steps to Writing Nonfiction
http://www.essortment.com/all/writingnonfict_reju.htm
Writing for Non-Fiction Genres
http://writingnonfiction.suite101.com/
On Writing Nonfiction for Children
http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/nonfictcriteria.htm
How to Write a Non-Fiction Book
http://www.viacorp.com/how-to-write-non-fiction.html
Happy August and...
Keep on Writing!
Cubby ") |
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Featured Items
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~by WDC Members
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Submitted Items
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Added comment: I truly appreciate these newsletters that share wisdom on how to write well or better in a way that spreads across all styles and genres and skill level; it's impressive.
Added comment: This is a story that was born of pure inspiration. It started out as a dream I had a number of years ago while I was living in Denmark. I woke up from it in a cold sweat. I had never had a dream so intense and so terrifying as this. While writing, I tried to maintain that same tension that I experienced in hopes that the readers would feel it, too. The response has been really good, so far. I hope you will use this as an example of conveying emotion or writing your story in such a way that the story moves along and draws the reader in.
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~*~*~
Feedback
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Asherman 
This months writing tips are outstanding. I often try to tell the same things to novice writers in my R&R. Keep up the good work, and ... Write on!
Ash
~ Thank you very much, Ash. I appreciate the kind response!
Mark
Hi Cubby!
Thank you again for keeping us thinking, it's such a pleasure to read your newsletters. You had me thinking and wondering on "building" a story. So many times we are reminded of little ways to keep it tight, keep it on track - but we forget to remind ourselves that it's ok to start rough with balanced and sound ideas, but we can fine-tune later. We must not restrict our characters, or even world from the path they find on their own. It all goes to the expectation of revisions and edits, does it not? Prepare for the unexpected, perhaps you might just write it. Ah, I love getting all riled up for a good write. Thank you so much!
~ You are most welcome, Mark. I love getting riled up to write, too. Yeah, prepare for the unexpected! I like that because it happens more than not when you allow your characters freedom. Thank you for your input!
Joy 
Great newsletter and very helpful tips on characters, Cubby. Most short stories are ruined from the excess number of characters.
And thanks for featuring my articles.
Joy
~ Thanks, Joy! You have written some great writing articles! I agree with the excess amount of characters. While characters are fun to create, the reader needs to be focused more on the main character (protagonist) and the antagonist (one who challenges the main character's desires).
katherinerose
Cubby, as always your newsletters are so informative and easy to understand. Thank you also for your large print font. You always put so much into your newsletter, I always copy and paste for future reference. Thanks again.
~ You are too kind! But yes, I try to be informative and put things simply. I enjoy reading about writing, so I'm sure others do, too. It gets me excited about writing, and so my goal here is to do the same for others... inspire. As far as the large print goes, I've had a few comments of appreciation and no complaints... so far. 
Jaye P. Marshall 
Thanks, Cubby, for a very helpful newsletter. The articles you included were most informative.
~ I'm glad you found them helpful!
stephenm
I really got a lot out of this. This would be one of the best and easiest to remember summaries on plotting and building a story I have come across.
And the links look really useful too.
Thanks for sharing,
Hawk.
~ You are very kind! Thank you so much. I'm happy you found everything useful.
 Thank you, everyone, for all the wonderful feedback you send in!
As always...
Have a wonderful week!
AND KEEP ON WRITING!!!
Cubby ")
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