Do you have a non-fiction work-in-progress? Are you in search of structure to your manuscript? The organization and order of information in a non-fiction book is every bit as important as plot is to fiction. Immersing yourself in the subject matter is no guarantee that the structure of a book will reveal itself as self-evident. So how does a writer of non-fiction move from the research, notes, interviews, documents, and quotes into a coherent structure? And more importantly, a structure that serves the readers of your work? Structural editing is part of the writing process itself. Here I suggest four techniques to help you hone and refine the narrative structure to your non-fiction work-in-progress. Thematic analysis What are the major themes in the book? Describe how each theme is relevant. How does each theme get played out? In which sections does each theme arise? Are there characters whose personalities or interactions embody one of these themes? How so? Write reflectively about each theme. As you do, ideas for tightening the plot will pop out at you. Question analysis What subjects, topics, and issues will your book cover? What questions will your book answer? Pretend you are writing questions for IBM’s Watson on Jeopardy. Make a long list. Include questions you have already answered in your research and questions you plan to investigate further. Sort the questions into groups that emerge from critical reflection. For each group, write additional questions you will need to answer. Think about what the reader needs…
Pantser or plotter? Do you write by the seat of the pants or from an outline? You need to do both. Here’s why. The process of writing a book manuscript requires both kinds of writing. Intense periods of writing uninterrupted in a generative flow experience and critical reflection on the narration as narrative. After some time and distance between you and your copy has passed,… [Read More]
Filed Under: Aristotlean arc, Character Sketches, meta-writing, narrative structure, question anaysis, story map, Storyboarding, Thematic Analysis, timelines, world building
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The launch of Green Bay author Melissa Gorzelanczyk’s debut Young Adult novel ARROWS (Delacorte Press, 2016) is one example of how social media can play an important role in author success. Melissa’s novel ARROWS is a modern cupid story set in present-day Wisconsin combining the fantastical elements of Greek mythology with the contemporary drama of MTV’s Teen Mom,” according to Melissa’s website. Her novel also has… [Read More]
I drive my 87-year old father to his memoir writing group every other week, where he meets with 8-10 peers to discuss short vignettes they have written. Each of them takes a turn having their piece of writing “critiqued” by the others. He’s been in this group for seven or eight years, and has written more than 117 stories about his life. I usually wait… [Read More]
Filed Under: constructive criticism, feedback, introvert, memoir workshop, shy, Writing group, Zee Zahava
It is the author’s responsibility to seek endorsements for their books and publishers expect you to get them. Blurbs – often only a few words or phrase of praise from a high profile author, celebrity, or expert – appear on a book’s cover or dust jacket flaps. Blurbs are also used in query letters to agents, on tip sheets to booksellers, in marketing materials and… [Read More]
Filed Under: blurbs, book marketing, Charlie Rose, Ellen DeGeneres, Endorsements, Malcolm Gladwell, Oprah, Terry Gross
A new year begins and it offers authors an opportunity to set calendar goals and prepare a budget for the coming year. Here are 10 things to help you in your business of being an author in 2016. 1) Prepare a list of business expenses you anticipate. Look over last year’s expenditures. Postage, webhosting, submission fees. Consider what new expenses you may require to achieve… [Read More]
Filed Under: Authors Guild, Budget, Calendar, Contact Relations Management, Expenses, Income, Password Protection