Archive:

Nonfiction

How to Write an Anecdote and Why Stories Bring Your Nonfiction to Life

December 15, 2024

You have a message to share with the world, but so far, people don’t seem interested. Are you wasting your time? You are if your nonfiction fails to engage an agent or publisher. You may have forgotten the importance of storytelling — yes, even in nonfiction. Adding stories to your nonfiction: Hooks your reader from […]

Read More

Editors’ Wish List When Working with Nonfiction Writers

December 15, 2024

What follows is common sense, but you’d be surprised at how many novice writers skip too many of the suggestions on this list. You can get a leg up on the competition by following these to a T. And if you’re primarily a fiction writer, you’ll find much of this advice applies to short stories […]

Read More

How to Write a Prologue for Your Novel

December 15, 2024

Do you start your novel with a Prologue? Or do you dive right into Chapter One? The choice can determine whether readers are drawn in or never get past the first page. I lean away from a Prologue whenever possible. When I do use one, it’s only because there’s backstory the reader cannot do without. […]

Read More

How to Start Writing Your Memoir

December 8, 2024

Guest post by Joe Bunting How do you start writing a book about your life? How do you take your whole lived experience, all the memories and emotions and events, and then write a first page? Or even a first sentence? It’s not easy, right? I’ve written a memoir, a real life adventure story set […]

Read More

How to Write Your Memoir: A 5-Step Guide

December 8, 2024

Memoir is not just a fancy literary term for an autobiography. I say that from the start, because I so often hear the terms incorrectly interchanged. Your memoir will be autobiographical, of course, but it can’t be about you. Confused yet? Stay with me. You may have heard both of these genres associated with creative […]

Read More