Since 2019 marks the
10th Anniversary of this blog, on Fridays this year, I’m updating and
re-running some past posts that sparked conversation or that I think still have
a lot to offer people teaching or writing nonfiction. Today’s essay originally
appeared on March 27, 2019.
Recently, I read an article that contained this sentence:
“While writing nonfiction, I use every single
fiction technique a novelist uses.”
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.
how she includes characters, scenes, conflict, rich language, voice, etc. in
her writing.
Sound good?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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4 Responses
I just spoke about "writing" techniques versus "fiction" techniques yesterday during a talk to librarians and I wish I had a picture of their faces as the concept sunk in! These were librarians who are considering writing for children (fiction and nonfiction) and I loved planting this seed early in their journey. Thanks for the language!
Thank you for this blog and your dedication to educating us about non fiction. It really has helped me as a librarian in presenting books to our students
Thanks, Heather. I appreciated your feedback.
I'd love to see that picture too! Thanks for emphasizing the craft elements associated with nonfiction writing. These are new ideas for many people in the kidlit community.