Thursday, August 10, 2017
Overview Nonfiction: Introduction Trust
Workshop: An Introduction to Writing for Children and Young Adults
“Surely a kind of fascination or a deep
desire to learn more about a subject must
be there from the start.” Jane Yolen
Nonfiction easily warrants a workshop all to
itself but as most fiction techniques also apply to this genre in this section
we’ll look at the aspects that are assigned to it more specifically.
The well-known guidelines for solid
nonfiction are still the basic who, what, when, where, and how, but the
undergirding purpose is why.
Curiosity—Communication—Connection.
These elements are the main criteria
regardless of age. Both for the
reader and from the author if the
material is to have any impact beyond straight factual information. Think of how many times your thoughts
have glazed over during a boring meeting that is solely fact based, even when
you know it is information you need.
As babies move into understanding language
they often point constantly to people and objects even before they can shape
words in a desire to know. Toddlers have the capacity to drive the most patient
adults to exhaustion with their why questions.
Nonfiction sings when curiosity begins a
dialogue of interest. When an author has a connection with their topic and a desire
to share, then trust is built.
So what do you do when assigned a topic of no
interest to you or you feel is already boring. Think of someone hearing the
topic or word or definition for the very first time and perhaps the only time
they will ever hear any information on this subject. Then look for the spark of
communicating truth in a voice that shares. Maybe with humor, or your own
reluctance, or a surprise you discovered, but share one-to-one.
And it must be accurate so as an author you
need to do the digging. If this is the only information on this topic they will
ever hear, it must be the truth. Otherwise trust disappears and boredom
replaces interest not only in this particular subject but possibly in others as
well.
To paraphrase a comment by Jane Yolen,
beautifully written information books have changed lives because though they
are informational in the broadest sense the authors have written them out of
the deepest commitment and passion.
I think that magazine articles and blog posts
can meet this standard as well if the authors are sharing from their hearts.
Action Steps:
1.Make a list of all the subjects that have been of interest to you growing
up?
2.Which ones did you discard and why?
3.Which ones do you still find fascinating? Why?
Share: What main passion do you want to
share?
Read deep, marcy
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