What’s your favorite genre? For some it’s romance, others it’s fantasy, sci-fi, or maybe a mystery/thriller. For those that know me well I enjoy reading a variety of genres, so it’s hard to pick one genre over another when I enjoy different books spanning across the many genres of fiction. However if you were to ask me what genre is your favorite to write, in my answer would be a bit more concise.
Turning facts and figures into a compelling story.
It’s been said that the best non-fiction reads like a fast-paced thriller. And it should read like solid fiction with one exception – everything in it has to be true.
So how does a non-fiction writer keep you on the edge of your seat?
If you’re reading this, I assume you want to be or already are a writer. I also assume that there’s a decent chance you want to be a full-time author. So, if that’s you, let me ask you two difficult questions: Why do you write? And why do you want to be a full-time author, when there are hundreds of easier career options?
Don’t you just love to lose yourself in a true story, whether it features romance, mystery, or humor? Reading how other people live life can enrich yours.
People like to read about four kinds of personal experiences:
those that are universal,
those that show a person overcoming obstacles or recovering from tragedy,
those that awaken nostalgia, and
those that are unique.
If you are reading this article, you undoubtedly have experiences you want to share. How do you write them so they resonate with your readers?
Fight scenes are somewhat similar to chase scenes. I wrote about the latter last month. Use action verbs and use terse sentences. Real fights tend to be sloppy affairs and they frequently end quickly. In addition to punching and kicking there is frequently a lot of shoving. Staged fights are much better as reference material. YouTube is a good source of both so have a look at a few before writing them.
Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, a poorly realized character will ruin your story. Even with the best plot in the world, your novel will struggle to truly connect with its audience if you’re unable to present multi-dimensional characters who behave believably.
Possibly one of the biggest challenges new writers face is figuring out how to create a bond between themselves and people they may never meet face-to-face.
How do you connect with someone in such a way that they feel you’re speaking only to them?
How do you make a stranger feel like someone, finally, GETS IT?
I don’t write non-fiction but I know something about it if, for no other reason, than I’ve found it necessary over the years to read a goodly amount of it. Subjects can be highly arcane to mundane; but, the one thing that is critical is research. It is essential that an author be able to convey his or her material in a coherent fashion. Anyone can write a book on just about any topic but, in order to be successful and not fall to ridicule, an extensive knowledge of that subject is required.
It’s important to grasp the whole of any character you’re writing. You, as the author, should know your characters better than anyone — even the readers. An author notices every quirk, step, and glance a character ever makes. After all, the author is the sole creator: the god.
As I’m developing my my characters, I like to pretend I’m a confidant. Here are some questions I ask my characters:
