Write Better Fiction by Reading Nonfiction "How To" Books
If you read my last blog you know that I started a blog for two reasons. First, I've been struggling with writer's block since publishing my debut novel entitled "Running for Yellow" and thought a blog might help me keep writing and perhaps find inspiration for my next story. Second, I thought it might lend a helping hand to people out there (like me) looking for books to help improve their writing. Allow me to share with you what I learned from reading "How to Write" by H.E. Meyer and J.M. Meyer.
When I read this book the first time I thought it was only geared toward helping technical writers. On the second read however, I thought the authors offered some helpful tips for aspiring novelists too.
Part one emphasizes the importance of organizing your thoughts and reference material. I can tell you first hand that this is crucial to getting a piece completed as quickly as possible. The less organized you are with your story's structure and plot, the longer it will take you to finish the book. The authors offer three organized steps in organizing your work: 1. Choose your category (where you decide specifically what you are going to write about). 2. Pick your points (What are you writing about and how are you going to convey this to the reader?) 3. Collecting your details. Whether you are writing fact or fiction, you must do your research. Sure, some fiction writing needs no fact checking at all, but readers love to learn about things they don't know. Thrill them by researching and adding some nonfiction detail to your fiction.
Part two emphasizes the importance of figuring out your theme, making your outline, and writing your draft. If you can choose a theme and stick to it while writing an outline, your outline will be more concise and helpful in turning out a first draft. In essence the first draft will simply be an expanded version of your outline.
Once you've made it this far, you're ready for Part 3: Polishing the Product. When polishing a piece of writing, your objective is to strengthen the draft (sometimes rewriting it many times) to give it credibility and ultimately have it do what the writer intends it to do. The Meyers offer nine key guidelines (with examples) for draft-polishing any type of writing. They are:
Be accurate
Be precise
Be consistent
Be brief
Be fair
Keep a steady depth,
Keep a steady one
Use an established layout
Use good grammar.
These writing guidelines are crucial in strengthening any writer's work and offer a reminder to keep them in mind when writing.
Although "How to Write" is geared more toward non-fiction writing, I think it offers solid tips ( particularly in Part Three) for fiction writers too, and I would recommend it as a reference book to add to your library.
I haven't found the inspiration for my next novel yet (and I am open to any suggestions readers might have), but I'll be working on honing my skills by keeping these guidelines in mind during my daily writing. I'll also be reading more books to help me learn about the craft of fiction writing. I hope this blog helps you in your daily writing too. Join me next month when I"ll review "Plot & Structure" by James Scott Bell.
When I read this book the first time I thought it was only geared toward helping technical writers. On the second read however, I thought the authors offered some helpful tips for aspiring novelists too.
Part one emphasizes the importance of organizing your thoughts and reference material. I can tell you first hand that this is crucial to getting a piece completed as quickly as possible. The less organized you are with your story's structure and plot, the longer it will take you to finish the book. The authors offer three organized steps in organizing your work: 1. Choose your category (where you decide specifically what you are going to write about). 2. Pick your points (What are you writing about and how are you going to convey this to the reader?) 3. Collecting your details. Whether you are writing fact or fiction, you must do your research. Sure, some fiction writing needs no fact checking at all, but readers love to learn about things they don't know. Thrill them by researching and adding some nonfiction detail to your fiction.
Part two emphasizes the importance of figuring out your theme, making your outline, and writing your draft. If you can choose a theme and stick to it while writing an outline, your outline will be more concise and helpful in turning out a first draft. In essence the first draft will simply be an expanded version of your outline.
Once you've made it this far, you're ready for Part 3: Polishing the Product. When polishing a piece of writing, your objective is to strengthen the draft (sometimes rewriting it many times) to give it credibility and ultimately have it do what the writer intends it to do. The Meyers offer nine key guidelines (with examples) for draft-polishing any type of writing. They are:
Be accurate
Be precise
Be consistent
Be brief
Be fair
Keep a steady depth,
Keep a steady one
Use an established layout
Use good grammar.
These writing guidelines are crucial in strengthening any writer's work and offer a reminder to keep them in mind when writing.
Although "How to Write" is geared more toward non-fiction writing, I think it offers solid tips ( particularly in Part Three) for fiction writers too, and I would recommend it as a reference book to add to your library.
I haven't found the inspiration for my next novel yet (and I am open to any suggestions readers might have), but I'll be working on honing my skills by keeping these guidelines in mind during my daily writing. I'll also be reading more books to help me learn about the craft of fiction writing. I hope this blog helps you in your daily writing too. Join me next month when I"ll review "Plot & Structure" by James Scott Bell.
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