I’m more of a non-fiction writer myself – writing about true, factual accounts of real things, places, people etc., as opposed to stories, books etc., that are invented by an author.
I have tried the odd short fictional story, but as I don’t enjoy it as much, I would never be inspired to write my best. For now, I’m leaving that side of things to the experts and the people who love doing it. Non-fiction writing is much more my cup of tea, and is what I have always been drawn to doing. Some examples are:
- travel journals
- pregnancy journals
- days out
- personal diaries
- blogs about life skills
- blogs about writing tips
- ‘how to’ articles
- health articles
- books about life
According to Wikipedia, non-fiction “need not be written text necessarily, since pictures and film can also purport to present a factual account of the subject”.
Do you struggle to remember the difference between fiction and non-fiction?
If you struggle to remember the difference between fiction and non-fiction, Thinkquest.org has written an interesting article on how to work it out. Consider the following two sentences and see how the word ‘no’ only takes place once:
- Fiction = not true
- Non-fiction = true
So, for the purpose of this exercise, fiction isn’t true because it doesn’t contain the word no.
Are you more of a fiction or non-fiction writer, or do you try your hand at both?
Until tomorrow…
Sandra
www.sandramadeira.com
My Writing Notebook 
I’m both. Fiction is harder in some ways–particularly in getting my writing up to publishable quality overall.
Nonfiction can be hard too for other reasons, but it comes more easily to me.
While you probably did not intend these as true statements…
“Fiction = not true
Non-fiction = true”
I would nevertheless like to comment–because some people (not you) unfortunately seem to believe such formulas are in fact accurate.
Fiction, often, is “true” in terms of the experience it can offer and the lessons it can teach. It is of course mainly imaginary, but that does not mean it does not contain truth.
Non-fiction is not always true. It is often true to its author, not always or necessarily to the reader, especially one who may know better. Hitler is a notorious example.
Again, I’m sure you did not mean such statements are true in themselves, but I felt the need to comment, nevertheless.
Too often people believe what they read in the newspaper or hear on TV. It’s nonfiction after all. Like politicians, what is said there, though nonfiction in a sense, is not necessarily factual.
Too often people think of fiction as of lesser worth: after all, it’s fiction isn’t it? imaginary, someone made it up. But sometimes the exact opposite is “true.’ (Fiction can prove more valuable than nonfiction.)
Both have their place., of course. Else how can one explain their existence and preservation throughout history.
To me non-fiction is relatively easy, particularly in comparison with fiction which brings difference challenges.
On the other hand, the adept non-fiction writer often uses fiction techniques to make her writing more understandable and entertaining.
On still another hand, some fiction writers present as “facts” in their fiction statements and details, which are not true at all.
Well, that’s enough philosophy and my two-cents worth..
Interesting subject.
Posted by Bill99 (@Bill99) | March 22, 2012, 11:29 pmI’ve never tried to write non fiction, but it’s something I do want to experiment with 🙂
I just don’t know where to start lol
Xx
Posted by Vikki (The View Outside) | March 23, 2012, 8:08 am