What Are The Differences Between Fiction and Nonfiction?

Have you ever wandered through a library aisle, hesitating between the worlds of fiction and nonfiction? These two fundamental genres of literature carve out very different paths for the reader’s journey. Fiction whisks you away into realms of the imagination, where characters, settings, and events spring from the writer’s creativity. Nonfiction, by contrast, grounds you in reality, delving into facts, theories, and real-life narratives.

As readers and writers, understanding the distinction between the two is essential. This exploration is not just an academic exercise; it’s a practical guide that shapes how we interact with literature. For aspiring writers, especially those honing their craft in creative writing classes, recognizing these differences can be the compass that guides their storytelling. In this blog post, we’ll dissect these genres, unraveling the threads that distinguish the fanciful flights of fiction from the earnest accounts of nonfiction. Join us as we navigate the nuanced landscapes of literary form and function.

Understanding Fiction

Fiction, in its essence, is the art of crafting stories that originate from the writer’s imagination. It’s a domain where anything is possible, from the most fantastical realms to the most intimate inner workings of a character’s mind. At the heart of fiction is the narrative — a concoction of plot, characters, dialogue, and setting that together create an immersive experience for the reader. This genre is not bound by the strictures of reality; instead, it offers a canvas for exploring the what-ifs of life.

The beauty of fiction lies in its diversity — spanning novels, short stories, plays, and poetry, each form offering a different lens through which we can view the world. The tools of fiction writing — metaphor, allegory, and symbolism — allow writers to delve deep into the human condition, exploring themes of love, loss, adventure, and morality.

Creative writing classes often emphasize the importance of these elements, teaching budding authors how to weave these threads into a tapestry that resonates with readers. Through exercises in character development and plot structuring, students learn to sculpt their imagination into stories that have the power to entertain, enlighten, and inspire. Fiction, therefore, is not just an escape but a reflection of our dreams, fears, and aspirations, a mirror held up to the human spirit.

Exploring Nonfiction

Nonfiction is the territory of truth, an expanse where writers anchor their words to reality. It is the genre that engages with facts, educates on topics of interest, and provides insights into the world as it is. This literary form encompasses a vast array of writing – from biographies and memoirs to essays and journalistic reports. Nonfiction writers serve as guides, leading readers through the landscapes of history, science, politics, and personal experience with a commitment to accuracy and veracity.

The craft of nonfiction writing is rooted in thorough research and a meticulous adherence to details. It requires a disciplined approach to source verification and a steadfast dedication to presenting information responsibly. The challenge lies in taking the raw, often complex truths of life and shaping them into a narrative that is not only informative but also engaging and accessible to readers.

In nonfiction, the writer’s voice emerges not through the invention of worlds, but through the insightful interpretation of the real one. Creative writing classes that focus on nonfiction emphasize the importance of this clarity and precision. They teach how to create compelling narratives that captivate readers by weaving factual content with a strong, persuasive narrative voice. Through nonfiction, writers have the power to inform, persuade, and effect change, making it a potent tool in the hands of a skilled author.

The Intersection of Fiction and Nonfiction

While fiction and nonfiction are often viewed as distinct realms, they share a borderland where elements of both can coexist harmoniously. This intersection is most notably represented in narrative nonfiction, also known as creative nonfiction, where factual writing is imbued with the literary techniques typically reserved for fiction. Here, real events are narrated with a storyteller’s flair—character development is nuanced, and settings are richly depicted, bringing factual stories to life with vivid detail and a compelling voice.

Writers venturing into this hybrid form must balance factual integrity with creative expression. In creative writing classes, students learn to navigate this delicate balance, employing imaginative language and narrative structure while rigorously maintaining the truthfulness of their account. Narrative nonfiction challenges writers to craft works that are as informative as they are evocative, expanding our understanding of nonfiction beyond the confines of dry exposition and into the realm of storytelling.

Writing Techniques Unique to Each Genre

The divergent paths of fiction and nonfiction are paved with distinct writing techniques, each tailored to the genre’s specific needs.

In fiction, the narrative voice is the storyteller’s invisible thread, varying from the omniscient to the intimately personal. It’s a vessel for the author’s style and a medium through which the story unfolds. Characters are the beating heart of fiction, crafted to evoke empathy, curiosity, and a spectrum of emotions from the reader. Their development is a careful process of revelation and transformation, allowing the audience to invest in their journeys. Plot construction is the architecture of fiction, with writers employing devices like conflict, climax, and resolution to construct a compelling storyline that grips the reader’s attention throughout.

Conversely, nonfiction writing is anchored in research and fact-checking, ensuring that every statement can stand up to scrutiny. The presentation of arguments is crucial, as nonfiction often seeks to inform or persuade. This requires a logical structure, clear evidence, and a tone that aligns with the subject matter and audience expectations. The writer’s voice in nonfiction also needs to be authoritative yet accessible, able to convey complex information without alienating readers.

Creative writing classes equip students with the tools unique to each genre. Fiction workshops might focus on character arcs and plot twists, while nonfiction sessions might emphasize ethical research practices and the distillation of complex data into reader-friendly formats. Both genres require mastery over language, but the destination they take their readers to—and the vehicle they use to get there—differ fundamentally. Each technique, whether employed in fiction or nonfiction, serves the ultimate goal of creating a lasting impact on the reader.

Reader’s Experience and Expectations

The reader’s approach to fiction and nonfiction is shaped by their expectations. When diving into fiction, readers often seek an emotional journey, an escape that allows them to explore different facets of the human experience through the lens of imagination. They are prepared for a suspension of disbelief, ready to embark on adventures that may challenge their perceptions or provide solace from their reality.

Nonfiction readers, in contrast, come with the expectation of learning something new or gaining insight into a specific subject matter. They anticipate a level of authority and factual accuracy that provides a foundation for trust between them and the author. The success of a nonfiction piece, therefore, hinges on the writer’s ability to deliver on this promise of veracity while also engaging the reader’s interest and curiosity.

In both genres, fulfilling and exceeding reader expectations is key. A well-crafted narrative, whether fictional or factual, can transcend its primary purpose to inform or entertain, leaving the reader with a more profound appreciation of the written word.

Conclusion

Throughout this exploration, we’ve journeyed across the landscapes of fiction and nonfiction, uncovering their unique characteristics, techniques, and the reader’s voyage within each genre. While they serve different purposes—one to entertain and the other to inform—both are vital to the tapestry of literature. For the creative writer, understanding these distinctions is crucial to mastering their craft, just as it is for readers seeking to fully appreciate the nuances of the stories they consume. Whether through the imaginative alleys of fiction or the informative avenues of nonfiction, the power of well-crafted prose remains a constant beacon in the literary world.

5 Things Every Book Proposal Needs to Get Right

You have a fantastic idea for a book and you want to share it with the rest of the world. You’re confident that others are going to enjoy what you have to say and you can’t wait to get started, make your mark, and enter the world of writing. Before you do, however, there’s something that you need to do first: Submit a book proposal. 

A book proposal is one of the first and most important steps on your journey toward becoming a published author. If you were to think of your book as a business, your proposal essentially serves as a business plan for your book. It’s how you present your story – your ideas, the message that you want to convey with the rest of the world, etc. – with prospective publishing houses in hopes that they will pick up your book and publish it. While the idea of creating a book proposal is certainly exciting, if you’ve never done it before, it can also be a bit intimidating and overwhelming. 

Publishers receive countless manuscripts from countless authors, and only about half of those that they receive are ever actually read. Why? Because there are way too many of them and not only is there not enough time to get through all of them, but a lot of manuscripts are very similar in that they feature similar messages, plots, themes, settings, characters, etc., and even if publishers had all of the time in the world, they don’t want to invest it in reading 10, 20, 30, 100 – or more – of the same kind of manuscript. Can you blame them? Of course not! 

That’s where a book proposal comes in. A proposal sets your book apart from the crowd; it provides prospective publishers with a snapshot of your story and the message that you want to convey, the audience you want to share it with, and other pertinent information related to your book. In short, the goal of a proposal is to set your book apart from the crowd, attract the attention and pique the interest of potential publishers, and convince them to pick-up and publish your story. 

Needless to say, a book proposal is kind of a big deal, and how you write it and what you include in it can make or break your success. That said, you definitely don’t want to just craft it willy-nilly; you want to make sure that you put effort, energy, and thought into it. 

5 Key Elements Every Book Proposal Should Contain

So, what should be included in a book proposal? Well, it varies and depends on several factors, including the guidelines of the publishing company that you’re sending it to. With that said, however, there are some key elements that every book proposal should include, no matter what. These elements include the following: 

  • A great title/subtitle. One of the biggest issues that commissioning editors and their teams complain about is titles that authors provide on their book proposals. The titles are vague, they aren’t related to the topic at hand, they’re bland, and they can even be confusing. If you really want your book to stand out from the crowd and you want to increase your chances of having it picked up by a publisher, then you’re going to want to include a really stellar title. You want to go for something unique, but not so edgy that it’s off-putting or that it doesn’t relate to the content at all. You also want the title to draw the attention of your target audience (and prospective publishers), to get them thinking, and to entice them to want to read your book. 
  • A description. Another element that all book proposals must have is a description; however, this is an element that many publishers complain about when they receive proposals from hopeful authors. The description should be short, concise, informative, and attention-grabbing. It should highlight what the book is about in no more than a few short sentences. It should contain flowery, fluffy language, but rather, it should be clear and to the point. Publishers often claim that the descriptions they receive are too long, drawn out, and confusing. Don’t make the same mistake. 
  • Author bio. You’ll also need to include an author biography in your proposal. The bio should contain any relevant information about you, as a writer, including any previous titles that you have had published, as well as anything else that is pertinent to your professional life – and if applicable, information about your personal life. Your bio lets potential publishers know why you’re the right author for the topic/ story/information that you want to share. 
  • Chapter synopsis. All book proposals should also include a chapter-by-chapter synopsis; that is, what each chapter in the book is going to be about. The synopsis should be brief, yet clear; it should be no more than a paragraph in length. If they’re too long or if they aren’t clear enough, well, you’re probably going to turn off prospective publishers. Additionally, you want to make sure that include a complete sample of at least one chapter of your book. Make sure that you select the chapter that you think is the best; the one that really conveys your message and demonstrates the uniqueness of your writing. Finally, make sure that your writing – both for the synopsis of each chapter and the sample chapter – is impeccable. Subpar writing will be frowned upon (for obvious reasons). 
  • Marketing information. Though marketing can be very unpalatable to writers, publishers rely on marketing; after all, they are in business to turn a profit, and they remain in business by selling books. If they aren’t selling books they publish, well, what’s the sense of being in business, right? Publishers want to work with authors who are willing to invest time, effort, and energy into their writing, and the marketing section of your proposal conveys this information. 

A book proposal is a vital – and arguably, the most important – step on your journey toward becoming a published author. Crafting a thoughtful, unique, organized, and well-written proposal will help to improve your chances of success. 

8 Tips for Writing Literary Fiction

Do you dream of being an author? If you think a career writing literary fiction sounds appealing, it’s time to put pen to paper, or in this case, fingers to keyboard. 

Regardless of the genre of literary fiction you choose to write, universal guidelines offer you tips to improve your writing. This post unpacks five beneficial methods of enhancing your writing potential. 

Tip #1 – Build a Writing Routine

If you want to be a great writer and have a shot at finishing your book, you need a routine. We’re not talking about a morning routine here. While that’s good, too, you need a writing routine to succeed in your quest to be a literary novelist.

Writing every day is the key to unlocking your potential and talent as a writer. Getting behind the keyboard and bashing out words is essential. If you fail to keep the consistency of your writing routine, you’ll get lazy. One day off turns to two or three, and pretty soon, a week goes by, and you haven’t done any work.

Create a workspace where you write every day. Sit down at the PC or laptop and write. Even if it’s only a couple of lines, doing something is better than doing nothing. You don’t have to churn out thousands of words every day; quality is better than quantity. You will have some days where you feel more like writing than others.

Take advantage of those days when inspiration floods your mind. Get into your flow state and capture the magic.

Tip #2 – Don’t Worry About Curating Story Collections

Writers with a published catalog of works might wonder how they all fit together to form a collection with a synonymous theme. Should your stories share a common theme or thread? Can they feature unrelated themes but stand on their merit?

Either strategy works. However, building a story collection has some benefits. The stories have better flow by placing stories strategically using reciprocal moods and settings. Each structure functions as a cohesive, holistic unit, impressing either individually or as a whole to impress and entertain the reader.

Tip #3 – Write about Something that Interests You

What theme or topic interests you? That’s where you start. Subjects have a universal or specific theme,  influencing your character development in the novel. By choosing topics from your experience, you get a richer character and plot development for your storyline.

When you start, there’s no requirement to transpose your topic to a particular situation or character. Think about the issues you feel strongly about or find curious. These issues can relate to societal structures or the human experience.

Tip #4 – Understand Proper Character Development

Unlike actors who play a single role, the author plays all character roles in their story. You can think of it as playing chess or checkers against yourself. You imagine the characters and let them interact as you write them out to give you a better understanding of their development as you progress through your work.

This strategy allows you to explore your characters’ depth and personality. Many authors agree characterization is the most challenging part of story development. It’s the defining skill separating a potboiler from a literary novel.

Characters shape the storyline, not vice versa. If you attempt to force your characters into the plot, you’re writing a potboiler, not a literary work. Developed characters build into a more compelling storyline, altering and shaping it to your vision.

Tip #5 – Don’t Give the Reader a Moralistic Lesson

You flesh out how you feel about certain topical issues by overtly showing your personal beliefs and experience to the reader or letting them draw conclusions. It’s a natural process occurring as you write; you can edit it later.

If you have clear emotions, be careful not to write content that falls flat with the audience by implying a moralistic lesson. Think about how you mold your narrative to show nuanced complexities on various issues.

It’s fine to place contradictions in your work without teaching the reader how to navigate their moral compass. Remember this rule: No one appreciates you patronizing them.

Tip #6 – It’s Okay to Get Kooky with Characters

Literary fiction encompasses some strange storylines where writers test outlandish ideas. When writing a literary fiction novel, listen to wacky and whimsical ideas that pop into your mind. If your character develops an unhealthy relationship with underarm deodorant or cheesecake, it’s fine to converse ideas in ways readers might not understand from their experience.

Literary fiction is character-driven, exploring them through life events and revealing the aspects and textures of their unique personality. Stories that go nowhere aren’t permissible in literary fiction. You need events to move the story forward, giving you the circumstances required to unpack characters.

Tip #7 – Deal with Writers Block

Like any other part of our lives, inspiration for writing literary fiction ebbs and flows. Illness, boredom, and low-energy days will affect your writing and routine. We’re not robots. The best authors note there are days when you need to drill the rock rather than blast it with charges.

If you’re not feeling it, take a break and do something to reinspire or recharge your mind. In reality, there’s no such thing as writing a hard scene. Challenging scenes are only in your mind, and your anxiety about writing them kills your creativity, not the challenge itself.

Tip #8 – Read and Revise Your Writing

You’ll feel pretty good about yourself after you finish that first chapter, but the work is not over yet. Go back and re-read your work. You’ll find it surprising how much of a difference it makes to the finished product. Your work’s second and third read points out things you missed in character and story development.

Add, delete, and fine-tune it until it sparkles. Do it when your mind is fresh off finishing the chapter, not at the end of the book. Approach the task with an unbiased mind, and you’ll find you notice your creative errors. It’s a far better approach than revisiting it later at the editor’s request.

Have Your Manuscript Professionally Edited by Experts in the US

Finding the ideal editor for your manuscript doesn’t have to be like searching for a needle in a haystack. With the help of the internet, you can find professional manuscript editors within the United States in just a few clicks. You can create a free account on any number of proofreading or freelance marketplace websites. The rest is simple, just sit back and relax as bids for your manuscript editor project roll in. Conduct interviews and choose the most talented manuscript editor in the US that fits your genre and your budget.

Hire Expert Manuscript Editors From the United States

Once you finish your manuscript draft then it is time for the real work to begin. No matter how good you may be at weaving stories, every manuscript needs to grace the table of an editor. A developmental editor will help you by ensuring your manuscript captures the bigger picture. They will leave creative notes that will either keep you on track or suggest corrective changes. A good developmental editor will even provide comprehensive suggestions that you can use to correct issues without changing the meat of the story. These types of editors help with prose style, character continuity, plot holes, and more.

When you hire an editor for your manuscript, you are getting the support you need to ensure that your story is not only engaging but also compelling. For first-time authors, working with a skilled manuscript editor is essential. More often than not, newer authors inadvertently make omissions or leave holes in the plot that can ruin an entire manuscript. There is nothing worse than making it all the way to publishing only to find out there are serious developmental issues that need correction. As difficult as editing a manuscript may seem, working with an experienced editor is a breeze. The key is finding the right type of editor within your specific niche to handle your project.

Where Can You Find A Manuscript Editor in the USA

For those looking to hire a developmental editor from the US, all you need to do is hit the internet. With so many freelance platforms in the market, there are thousands of US-based manuscript editors for hire that are available right now. Many have worked with notable names and publishing houses while others have helped self-published authors make their mark. Just search for proofreaders in your area, or you can search for experts who have experience in your niche. You can also look for those that offer services within a certain budget which will allow you more control over your final project cost.

Things to Consider When Hiring a Manuscript Editor

Picking an editor for your manuscript is not difficult, but it does require a bit of planning if you want to succeed. There are many talented manuscript editors for hire online guarantee so you will easily find one that fits your project perfectly. When considering a candidate, it is essential that you know what type of editing you need for your manuscript before finalizing a hire. There are several types of manuscript editing ranges such as developmental edits all the way to final production edits. Once you are sure of what type you need, then you can start to narrow down your choices. Keep in mind that all manuscript editing is not the same, and it is also much different than simple proofreading.

Budget Expectations for a Manuscript Editing Project

Once you have finished your manuscript draft the next step is hiring an editor. Before we jump into the cost, let’s first talk about the different editor types. There are several types, and each has its own tasks and rates when it comes to publishing support. Some of the most common editor types are:

  • Line editing
  • Evaluation editing
  • Content editing
  • Proofreading
  • Developmental editing
  • Copy editing
  • Conceptual editing

Simple forms of editing will have a lower rate than more complex forms. For example, copy editing is the most basic and will cost between $800 and $2,800 per manuscript. Alternatively, developmental editing is more complex and will cost between $3,500 and $8,000 for the same project. Of course, these numbers are just used as an example and are not reflective of actual rates. In general, you can expect to pay a professional manuscript editor between $30 and $50 an hour for their services. Most manuscript editors charge either per page or per word. The rate will range from $0.018 per word to $0.9 per word.

How To Choose A Compatible Manuscript Editor

Hiring the right manuscript editor for your project is as important as putting your manuscript through the editing process. To start, take the time to peruse the many manuscript editors available online. Look for an editor who has experience working within your genre and if possible, your specific niche. For example, if you are a fiction novelist, working with a medical textbook editor is not going to be a good fit. However, if you write science-fiction and can pair with a fiction editor who has experience with sci-fi, chances are your collaboration will be more effective.

Check reviews before you hire anyone to edit your manuscript. Editing professionals that have good reviews and are known for being highly communicative are going to be your best bet. It is also important to speak with potential editors about their availability, turnaround times, and payment expectations. Some manuscript editors have long lead times which may not be suitable for your project.

Don’t be afraid to ask for a sample edit. On that note, when you ask several different manuscript editors for a sample edit, make sure you give each of them the same section to review. This will allow you to better compare the edits between each specialist before choosing which one to hire. Editing style and voice are also important. A sample edit will also give you an idea of whether a specific editor’s style matches yours and if their edits change the voice or tone of your work.

Best Health Insurance for Freelancers

One of the advantages most employed people enjoy is the health insurance cover that takes care of their medical bills and their families. However, freelancing has become popular, and many people are earning through it as their main course.

Unfortunately, that means that they are not under any formal employer, hence no health coverage. Still, they need to be covered to have a policy that takes care of them when they or their family members are sick. This article outlines the best health insurance options available, and you may use it to get a hack.

1. Blue Cross Blue Shield 

Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance tops the list of the best health insurance for freelancers. This insurance covers 1.7 million providers and four insurance policies and cuts across 50 states, offering nationwide services. The extensive network has earned the company a good reputation, and it’s data-driven; hence it commits to quality and improvement. 

In fact, in the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Study, most insurance companies received high rankings, ascertaining that they offer some of the best terms for self-employed freelancers. 

If you are fortunate enough to be living in a state that benefits from the Blue365 plan, you will have access to additional products like a fitness plan and gym memberships. In addition, the insurance company has a website through which you create your account and access your medical summaries from time to time. 

However, some states do not give the high insurance rankings because they were not served satisfactorily. This variation results from the state difference, besides age, gender, health condition, and tobacco use.

2. UnitedHealthCare

When it comes to the best network coverage, UnitedHealthcare gets the big cake since it has more than 1.3 million providers in the network. And cuts across almost all states (49 states), with four insurance policies from which one can choose. It was started in 1977 and is a constituent of the UnitedHealthGroup, the U.S.’s best insurance cover. 

In the AM Best ratings, UnitedHealthcare received A ratings, showing that it’s one of the best, especially for freelancers and self-employed people. In addition, the 2021 J.D. Power Commercial Member Health Plan Study ranked among the top three most affordable insurance. 

However, it has a history of discriminating against substance abuse and mental issues patients. In addition, the insurance has mixed ratings across states, and you need to check what your state reviews say about it.

3. Kaiser Permanente 

Although Kaiser Permanente covers only eight states and offers three types of policies. It is one of the best insurances for freelancers because it emphasizes preventive care, critical for freelancers and the self-employed. 

The insurance company has more than 23,000 doctors across the eight states, has HSA access, and has been highly ranked by clients, showing great satisfaction. Because it emphasizes overall health, the NQCA gave it a high ranking of 4 out of 5, while the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan study gave it a standout rating of 5 out of the possible 5. 

Despite the high rankings, California’s insurance is highly scrutinized for skimping on behavioral healthcare and has faced fines and sanctions a few times. Still, it is one of the best insurances with high-quality but cheap services and has been in the market since 1945. It also offers financial assistance, and if you need it, you can apply through their website.

4. Cigna 

As a freelancer, you may get busy sometimes. You would not wish to go out to seek medical attention, especially if the problem is not so serious. Alternatively, you might not have a car, making travel a bit tricky. Consequently, you will likely appreciate an insurance provider that offers prescription deliveries and virtual healthcare, for which Cigna is primarily known. 

Cigna offers medical insurance in 10 states, has four types of policies, and has more than 1.3 million providers in the network. They say old is gold, and that’s why Cigna, dating back to 1792, is one of the best insurances for freelancers and the self-employed. Its virtual healthcare provision, prescription deliveries, and comprehensive services make it exceptionally reputable. However, as with other insurances in this list, Cigna has mixed reviews across the states.

5. Molina Healthcare

If you receive federal government assistance besides freelancing, Molina HealthCare would be the best health insurance because it offers some of the best terms and services to the self-employed and the underserved groups. The insurance serves seventeen states, and the policy types vary across them. 

Although it has had regulatory issues such as not taking care of grievances in the past, it has dramatically improved. It is among the best insurances, having plan transparency in its website and offering quality, affordable healthcare services.

6. Oscar 

Are you a freelancer who is looking for an insurance provider with excellent customer service? Oscar will be a good fit for you, mainly because it has sixteen types of insurance policies. In addition, it has a committed team of nurses and health experts who guide you and answer your questions quickly. Offering services in 19 states, Oscar has more than 560,000 clients. However, it was only established in 2012, and compared to its competitors, it still has a long way to go. 

Yet, its exemplary services give it top rankings. In addition, the insurance has not had regulatory issues and has not had clients complain about discrimination for substance abuse or mental health. If you want to sign up with Oscar healthcare insurance or get quotes, you can do so easily through their website. In addition, the insurance company has an app through which you can make inquiries and get virtual assistance.

The bottom line

If not on a good health insurance plan, freelancers and other self-employed people may find it hard to pay their medical bills. This article has made your search easy and has shared the best insurances for you as a freelancer. Each differs from the other in terms of network, coverage, and number of policies available.

Rose Rosie is a writer for the personal finance website, Joy Wallet, which provides readers with useful information, resources, and tools to help maximize their financial fitness. 

Do You Need a Creative Writing Class?

Creative writing is really just using your experiences and imagination to tell a story. We all tell stories. Even telling a joke in an interesting and funny way is creative. Man is by instinct innovative and innovation requires creativity. The difference between being innovative and creative is that innovation usually meets a practical need, whereas creativity feeds our souls. Creative writing classes help by introducing writers to other ways of looking at their writing and provide contacts for ongoing support and help.

Self-assessment

There are decisions that need to be made before choosing a class. These involve honest self-assessment Are you wanting to take a class because you want to write and need help with learning how to write? Are you frustrated and stuck, not for ideas, but how to get them on the page? Are you an experienced writing looking to take on new genres?  Do you need a new “muse” and a confidence boost?  Writers often write alone and sometimes feel lonely, because the people around them don’t understand what they are going through and don’t appreciate their problems. Writing classes may not be a panacea for these issues, but listening to and speaking with other writers, definitely does help. Perhaps you are not a writer and just want to try your hand at creative writing as a new, fun hobby. Whatever your reason for wanting or needing to take a class, be honest with yourself about why. This will help you to find a class that will be more or less right for you.

Choosing a Creative Writing Class

Courses vary in style and in content. Some will offer a certificate whist others will connect you to a degree course. None of them however can promise to turn your book into a bestseller. There is no single way of learning to write creatively or to improve your writing. What a course will do is provide you with an opportunity to develop your writing by having you take risks and experiment outside your comfort zone, in an environment that is understanding and supportive. Here are some pointers for choosing a class:

Personalized: a good course will assign you to a personal tutor, not only to supervise and guide you through the course, but also so that you have someone to listen to you and keep you motivated.

Practical: a creative writing class will give you opportunities to work on your own writing.

Enlightening: a class should give you exposure to some theory and different styles of writing based on those theories. 

Needs based: a class should give you the option to participate in accordance with your preference. Thus there should be options to join group sessions or work one-on-one with a tutor, depending on your personality and level of confidence.

Goal orientated: a class should require you to begin with an understanding of the basic principles and have you undertake and complete a writing project by the end of the course. That project may be the catalyst to start your writing career.

Investing in Yourself

Classes can’t guarantee that you will become a published writer.  However, by taking a class you can come to an understanding of your strengths and areas for improvements. As you learn and grow in confidence, you can fine tune your aspirations accordingly. Taking a class is simply an investment not only in your future, but also in your happiness. Keep on doing what you are doing. So-called “bad” writing will eventually lead to “good” writing. Above all, don’t judge your work too harshly – others may be delighted by it and want more.

What Are the Best Self-Publishing Resources Right Now?

A few die-hards continue to insist that traditional publishing is the only legitimate road to success. The rest of us realized long ago that self-publishing is no longer a second-rate option reserved for poor writers with too much money on their hands. As early as 2014, nearly a third of all newly-published books were estimated to be self-published. In 2021, 17 of the 100 bestsellers on Amazon’s famous Kindle platform were self-published. 

There are plenty of reasons to self-publish a book, as your first choice. Retaining complete control over the creative process, being able to interact with your readers more independently and directly, and pocketing a significantly higher percentage of the profits are just the start. Unless you are a popular blogger or a local business hoping to put out a free short ebook (both great reasons to self-publish, by the way), though, self-publishing requires serious dedication, and just as much hard work as getting traditionally published. 

Your odds of success lie, of course, squarely in your hands. That’s a little intimidating, to say the least. To boost your chances of achieving your goals, you’ll need to be armed with the best self-publishing resources. What do those look like in 2021?

To learn about the steps required to do self-publishing right, you’ll want to learn from those who have walked this path before you — and perhaps avoid some of the mistakes they have made. Some great places to get started include:

  • Self-publishing a book: 25 things you need to know, an article written by CNET CEO David Carnoy. It dates all the way back to 2012, but this oldie remains a goodie. 
  • This Book Was Self-Published: A Technical Guide, by privacy enthusiast Michael Bazzell, who self-published over a dozen books. This book isn’t about the writing stage of your book, at all, but rather covers many of the technical aspects, from legal considerations to anti-piracy steps and from formatting to cover design.

If that’s not enough for you — and it probably won’t be — you can always look around for more. Just make sure not to use your supposed self-publishing education as a procrastination tool!

As you write your book, you’ll want to have access to the best book-writing software on the market. What that looks like can depend on the type of book you are writing, as well as whether you are aiming to publish an ebook, a print book, or both. 

Once you’re done with the meat of your manuscript, you can begin to call in others, from beta readers or critique partners to professional editors and proofreaders. You can find these through social media, writers’ platforms, their websites, and even on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork — although your mileage will definitely vary. Always check an editor’s portfolio and reviews before working together.

Self-publishing authors also, of course, need to decide where and how they are going to self-publish their work on Amazon. You can also explore self-publishing aggregators like Draft2Digital and Smashwords, which are able to get your book onto numerous different platforms all at once. 

These resources aren’t the be-all-and-end-all, but rather a launchpad that can help you begin investigating what you need to do to self-publish smartly. Once you explore them, you’ll have a much better idea, and you will be able to go out and learn more on your own.

How To Become A Book Editor

Editing is an important skill that a lot of people assume they have, but few have actually mastered. When it comes to content of any length, a high-quality editor is almost as important as the author themselves. If you have a knack for spotting mistakes and being able to help take stories, content, or any other form of written copy to the next level, you probably have to potential to become a professional editor. We have put together a short guide that will help you get started on a lucrative career as a content editor.

Professional Editing Jobs

There are various types of editors, so knowing which type you plan to specialize in within the field is key. There are book editors, content editors, proofreaders, managing editors, and many more. You are able to make money working as a freelance editor, or you may prefer to work as an editor for a large firm. Every editing project is different, so it is best to choose a niche within the field and then perfect your skills along that particular editing arc.

Job Details & Salary Expectation

As a book editor, you will need to be able to keep up with deadlines while editing client manuscripts. The content you need will need to be error-free, but you will also need to tweak it as needed to ensure it has a nice flow that is easy to read. Being able to communicate well in a neutral manner is a critical skill that will allow you to work cohesively with authors on their content. As an entry-level book editor, you can make anywhere from $35k to $45k per year which will increase as your level of experience goes up. Some of the highest-paid book editors earn more than $130K annually before bonuses and perks.

How To Get Started With Book Editing

If you have a BA in journalism or in English, you are qualified to become a book editor. You also need to have a strong understanding of language, syntax, and advanced styles of editing. Depending on where you plan to work, you may also need to have completed related internships in the same or related field. Most book editors have at least some publishing experience and at least a modest portfolio that showcases their experience and qualifications. Even with no prior experience, you can get started in the field by honing your skills and working with smaller clients to earn experience.

Where To Find Book Editing Work

Most book editors started off as content editors or proofreaders in the field of publishing. It is a good idea to spend time in the field working with a range of clients to build your knowledge base with different writing styles, tones of voice, and genres. If you are already working in the field of publishing or content creation, you can speak with current clients or even coworkers regarding leads for book editing clients. Work can also be found online via independent editing sites, and of course, you can join a company that offers various forms of editing services. As you gain skills and experience, you can consider branching out on your own if this is what you desire.

How To Be Great Book Editor

One of the most important aspects of being a book editor is the ability to check your ego at the door. This means that you have to employ a high amount of self-control so that you can make your client’s voice shine through even when you are editing their content. It is important that you never allow your point of view to take over the author’s intent. If you can master this and manage to stick to your deadlines, you will be among some of the best book editors in the market today.

Are Your Readers Destined to Become Authors Through Your Work?

In the fanfiction world (or fanfic) everything is possible. It’s a place where writers turn over the literary stories they’ve grown up with – anything you can imagine can happen! Do your children create or read these kinds of stories? If you’re not super familiar with the art and literature behind fanfiction, you might want to pay attention.

As a priority, we should love the idea that our children write and read and this world encourages it. Many fanfiction writers end up becoming more creative later in life, which is important for many fields. Many also go on to self-publish works or creating novels. When it comes to fanfiction, a place with no greater limit than imagination; however, there is one thing you’ll want to keep an eye out for when it comes to fanfiction in particular.

Much of the stories in the fanfiction world have violence or sex. The content is freely available across fanfiction websites. If your child is a writer or a reader of fanfiction, they will likely come across some more mature stories.

Faced with this, it’s best to talk to your child about these issues. In adolescence our children begin to be interested in sexuality and the most serious thing is that sometimes they use social networks to get information, as they expose in this post of Being Parents. In this article they comment that “in some studies it has been observed that 20% of teenagers use social networks such as Twiter, Facebook and the Internet to broaden their knowledge about sex”. Others simply talk to their peers about sex, which opens up many doors for disinformation.

There is no shame in talking about sex with our children. In fact, if they like to read and write, they’re likely pretty mature and can handle some of these issues. And who better to tell them about sex than you?

Those friends or people you meet in real life. Because publishing makes you exposed and makes you vulnerable. It could attract a type of user who doesn’t exactly mean well, and sharing it with, say, classmates could lead to unpleasant consequences. In this line, don’t let him share personal information, recommend that he use a code name and limit comments as some followers may become obsessive. Using a pseudonym or username that doesn’t include his or her real name is typically the best way to go to stay anonymous.

They are one of the most used in the fanfiction world. If you find out that your child is, familiarize yourself with them, research their privacy settings and sit down with the child to review them together and know how to use them correctly.

The most popular apps and fanfiction sites for Star Wars are as follows: Commaful, New Moon, WordPress, and Wattpad.

Ask your child which one he or she is using and find out what the terms and conditions are. It’s also great that you encourage your child to write and draw if that’s what he likes but you shouldn’t try to invade his privacy by insisting that he show you his fanfiction content. Remember that as a teenager she needs your support more than ever and just as you ask for respect, you have to give it to her too. At the end of the day, reading and writing is amazing and it’s important to encourage your teen to be creative.

That’s what they say in the post on this subject on the Psychologically Talking blog.

What you must keep in mind is that fanfiction is another channel for your children to express themselves, but you must know it to avoid surprises because, as in everything that concerns the Internet, there are serious risks that imply the privacy of children.

Why more authors should write poetry in their spare time

Poetry is a bit of a lost art these days. And I don’t necessarily mean poetry like the Rupi Kaur or RM Drake poetry. But longer, more in-depth poems with actual thought and not just feeling.

While many authors do say they enjoy writing poetry, few actually do for one reason or another. Time constraints probably being the biggest one. Poetry, however, can be a really powerful gift that keeps on giving.

Here are several reasons why you should consider picking up your pen (or tablet) and start your next poem now.

1) It can help you reflect on your life

Poetry is one of the rawest and authentic ways to reflect on what is happening in your world. It allows you to pinpoint those raw emotions that you might not have put a finger on otherwise. If you’re harboring any hidden feelings, writing poetry is definitely one way to soothe things over and understand yourself better. Pablo Neruda is one of the best at this.

2) It makes you think critically

Writing prose is like second nature to most of us. We can write it in an instant and form sentences without even thinking. Poetry is different. Every word matters. Every beat is planned. Poetry can push you to reflect on all of those things in more depth and improve your command of the written word in the process. If you’ve written a short story or very short story before, it’s the same concept. Many of the best short stories operate with the same techniques.



3) It can be therapeutic

Poetry is a form of free therapy for many people. Whether you’ve just gone through a bad breakup or recently got fired at work, writing poetry can help free bottled up emotions and rid yourself of the frustrations and anger you have inside you. Writing poetry is a very healthy way to cope and many actually recommend it as a daily habit when going through tough times.

4) It’s easier than ever to get an audience

With these poetry sites and general creative writing sites, it’s easier than ever to get an audience for some of your poems. Poems that helped you cope with hard times can actually help others cope as well. This is the appeal of many of the Insta poets like Kaur and RM Drake as mentioned earlier. They each command followings in the millions for their poems, largely because they post relatable poems that make people feel good. They go viral across the entire internet for this reason.

5) It makes you a better writer

Poetry pushes you to be more accurate with your word choice and structuring. Because poems are often lyrical and have a certain flow, they can be deceptively hard to write and actually train your brain to write in a certain way. The precision that is required in poetry can help your diction and also sentence structures, making your prose sound better and tighter as well. Many well-known writers dabble in poetry on the side to help hone their craft for this reason.

I could go on and on about the benefits of poetry, but it’s pretty clear. You can learn a lot and grow a lot as a person by writing poetry.

If you’re looking for more great poetry, consider reading some as well. Here are some famous poems and love poems that can send you on your way.

There is one warning that I should give you before you start, however. Poetry can be extremely addicting so proceed with caution. Once you start writing poetry, you may never be able to stop.