Columns: Tag – Non Fiction
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Writing Quips and Tips
Just because it’s true doesn’t mean it’s not a story
“I don’t need to learn about plot structure because my story’s true.”
Someone said this to us recently. They were questioning their need to learn writing skills if they were writing non-fiction.
And boy, do you need to learn about narrative and plot structure – even if your story happens to be true.
Writing Quips and Tips
Fiction isn’t falsehood, and history isn’t truth
“Fact” is trendy.
Non-fiction sells more than fiction. And when you talk to people about reading, they will often declare sternly that they prefer to “read facts”. They want to “learn” or “improve”, or whatever.
In fact, there’s not as much difference between the two as you might think.
Writing Quips and Tips
Imagination doesn’t negate the truth
Writers are a lot like actors.
They need to be able to draw on their own experiences to understand others. And to express these in a compelling way that enables their audience (or readers) to believe in them.
Just to draw out last week’s theme a little more, this means that writers – novelists and non-fiction writers –are equally in the business of seeking out the truth.
Just because novelists use their imagination, doesn’t mean they’re not exploring their inner selves, and their time and place in history.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez says: “There’s not a single line in all my work that does not have a basis in reality.”Page 1 of 1 pages