Recently,
I read an article that contained this sentence:
“While writing nonfiction, I use
every single fiction technique a novelist uses.”
every single fiction technique a novelist uses.”
The author then provides a series of
examples of how she includes characters, scenes, conflict, rich language,
voice, etc. in her writing.
examples of how she includes characters, scenes, conflict, rich language,
voice, etc. in her writing.
Sounds good, right?
Not to me.
While I applaud authors who draw
back the curtain to reveal their creative process, I’m so, so, SO sick and
tired of reading articles in which authors describe how they borrow and make
good use of fiction craft moves in their nonfiction writing.
back the curtain to reveal their creative process, I’m so, so, SO sick and
tired of reading articles in which authors describe how they borrow and make
good use of fiction craft moves in their nonfiction writing.
Newsflash, folks. If you are writing
nonfiction, any craft technique you incorporate is a nonfiction craft technique. Period.
nonfiction, any craft technique you incorporate is a nonfiction craft technique. Period.
Well developed characters.
Carefully crafted scenes.
A compelling narrative arc that elicits
an emotional response.
an emotional response.
Strong voice.
Rich language.
These are NOT fiction techniques. They
are writing techniques, and they can be employed in either fiction or nonfiction. Or poetry, for that matter.
are writing techniques, and they can be employed in either fiction or nonfiction. Or poetry, for that matter.
Not all nonfiction includes all of
these elements, and that’s okay. The truth is nonfiction is much more versatile
than fiction. There are so many different kinds of nonfiction, from a recipe scrawled
on a napkin to a legal contract to a finely-crafted book that wins the National
Book Award.
these elements, and that’s okay. The truth is nonfiction is much more versatile
than fiction. There are so many different kinds of nonfiction, from a recipe scrawled
on a napkin to a legal contract to a finely-crafted book that wins the National
Book Award.
As writers, we know that words are
important. Language matters. When we talk about the craft of nonfiction writing,
let’s be more careful. Let’s make sure we give nonfiction the respect it
deserves.
important. Language matters. When we talk about the craft of nonfiction writing,
let’s be more careful. Let’s make sure we give nonfiction the respect it
deserves.
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9 Responses
Amen!
Thanks for your support, Donna.
LOVE this! Well said.
Thanks, Virginia. It looks like Melissa Sweet is being honored by the Eric Carle Museum in September. I just love her books!
As someone who has just written their first nonfiction manuscript, I'm sure I've been guilty of this…at least in thought! This is eye-opening and logical. I almost hit my forehead and said…"DUH!"
Good writing is good writing!
YES! YES! YES!
Brava!
Wise words! Writing is writing and a good fiction or nonfiction story is built on good storytelling. The words all matter. I'm printing this one off to post in my office as a reminder.
Perfect post.