Tag Archives: nonfiction
What is a Story Premise?
Steph Beth Nickel What do you think of when you hear the word premise? According to The Write Practice, a premise is “a single sentence summary of your central plot or argument of a story book or other kind of writing.” According to Kat of The Novel Writing Roadmap, “You should be able to express… Read more »
Sin Sceal Eile by Steph Beth Nickel
While on vacation, I purchased a t-shirt bearing the words “sin sceal eile,” which is Irish Gaelic for “that’s another story.” How appropriate! There are several applications of this expression for us as writers: When we come up with an idea for a book, personal essay, or blog post, it’s helpful to jot down enough… Read more »
Write What You Love Part 1 by Tracy Krauss
Since it’s Valentine’s month, it seems fitting to focus this month’s posts on writing what we love.What does that look like exactly? If I am passionate about a subject, I want to dig in order to find the truth. I seek out those with more experience. I research, interview, read, and watch. If I am… Read more »
Pitch Perfect by Pamela Mytroen
Are you still waiting for publications to ask you for your stellar stories? Don’t wait! Whether you’re a regular writer with specific content assigned, or you haven’t broken in to the market yet, you can still pitch your own ideas. Publications appreciate potential stories, and it’s also an opportunity to write something about which you… Read more »
Three Steps to Using Narrative in Nonfiction by Pamela Mytroen
“Never could any one say of their illustrations that they were windows that exclude the light, and passages that lead to nothing.” ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon in defense of writers who use narratives How do you use a narrative in a nonfiction piece? First, decide what the meat of your message is before you decide… Read more »
Why Nonfiction Writers Must be Storytellers Too by Pamela Mytroen
Why bother telling a story in a nonfiction piece? After all, your readers just came by for information; they’ll find what they need and be satisfied, won’t they? 3 reasons why you need to tell a story in a non-fiction piece: You’re in competition with thousands of other writers. When a reader looks for truth,… Read more »
Keeping it All Together by Pamela Mytroen
Our grandson hopped up and down and pointed when he opened a game on Christmas morning. “Hungry Hippos,” apparently, is the most exciting thing next to hockey. However, we soon discovered marbles rolling everywhere around the living room, including under the couch, and a new game, “frustration,” began. We needed a plan to keep all… Read more »
The Not-So-Boring Essay by Pamela Mytroen
Boring. Be honest. That’s what springs to mind when I say, “essay”. But what if an essay gets you a raise at work? Or time off work to thaw out in Mexico when it’s minus thirty here? Is an essay boring then? Because that’s what an essay is: the ability to persuade and get what you… Read more »
What They Write and Why by Steph Beth Nickel
What They Write and Why Are you part of a writers’ group? The ladies I’ve met with over the past decade are diverse, as is their writing. But we’ve learned much during our time together, including what we want to write and why—for now at least. Memoir Barbara is working on a talk she will… Read more »
What Should I Write? by Steph Beth Nickel
What Should I Write? This is the first in a four-part series exploring what you should write and why. Whether you make your living as a writer or are brand new to the adventure, it’s good to ask yourself these questions from time to time. How do you decide what to write? Here are nine… Read more »