the mechanics of writing...
CONTENT
November 2013
When writing non-fiction the content does need to be thought through. The basic premise of 'write what you know' holds here. Ask yourself questions such as 'Is it something I have experienced?',
'Does it contain an authentic frame of reference/viewpoint/stance?'
'What is the purpose of writing the book?'
'Who is my audience?'
Some writers outline the structure of their book including chapter titles etc before they begin writing, others write first then formulate it in to a more cohesive pattern. Find what suits you best.
STYLE
​November 2013
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One easy way to understand literary style is to think about fashion styles. Clothes can be formal & dressy, informal & casual, preppy & athletic etc. We can dress a single message in a variety of different styles. One mistake a lot of new writers make is to copy someone else's style of writing that they admire (whether intentional or not). Your writing style should convey your 'voice', your tone & expression.
The style of your writing ultimately influences how the reader interprets the facts that are presented. Keep the style consistent throughout, readers notice when things like wording & phrasing are different from one chapter to another.
PACE
November 2013
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The pace or rhythm of a book is generally the speed at which the story unfolds & will mean the difference between the reader being captivated, staying with it all the way through or getting stuck (bored). This is where the detail, narrative & dialogue should all blend together to make gripping, interesting, emotive reading. The pace of a book is also affected by any of these things being slightly off-balance (ie, narrative too long, too little detail, no interesting dialogue). The pace & rhythm of your book is easy to adapt if you are aware of where each chapter is heading. It can be useful to set the pace & tone at the beginning of each chapter then you can speed up or slow down the tempo if needed. Including stories that are funny, lively, & intriguing can help keep the rhythm flowing.
MAUREEN TUOHY
At primary school we were required to read the 'Janet & John' series of books. Janet & John, I soon discovered came from the most boring family on the face of the planet...
Maureen Tuohy
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