| This article may be reprinted in freely distributed | | | | entrepreneurs, retailers, restaurant owners. |
| publications, online or in print, with minor grammatical | | | | Non-fiction writing includes pieces that move beyond |
| and spelling corrections allowed. The resource box | | | | articles. |
| author's information must be included. Thank you. | | | | Critical writing is a specialty. Write book, movie, theater |
| Non-fiction Writing Choices by Pamela White | | | | or restaurant reviews. |
| Non-fiction articles are based on research, interviews, | | | | Writing critically requires analytical reasoning, research |
| experiences and opinion. Look around your home and | | | | and experience in the area of which you want to |
| bookstore and you'll find non-fiction writing opportunities | | | | write. A review places the reviewed book or play in |
| in every bookshelf and on every table. Newspapers | | | | context by comparing it with other books or plays, or |
| also look for feature articles and news stories. Your | | | | previous works by the same author. Theater critics |
| next feature article could be about a place | | | | know the background of the plays they critique. |
| (amusement park), person (blue ribbon winner for | | | | Restaurant reviewers must understand food, its |
| pickles), or event (state fair). | | | | preparation and new trends in culinary arts. |
| How many magazines do you subscribe to? We | | | | Writing op-ed pieces for newspapers is yet another |
| subscribe to 13 magazines. Some of these are | | | | option. Opinion columns are found on the editorial |
| professional magazines: "The Writer," "Saveur" (I'm a | | | | pages. Writers comment on life and politics today, |
| food writer), and "Society of Professional Journalists" | | | | strongly stating their opinions, often in an effort to |
| (my husband is a journalist). | | | | sway the opinions of readers. |
| Some are for fun and hobbies: "Disney's Adventures" | | | | Creative non-fiction is another style you can adopt. |
| and "YM," "Family Handyman," Golf Digest," "AARP," | | | | Ever read Dave Barry? That's creative non-fiction. He |
| and "Money." These are all national magazines, cream | | | | takes real people and real situations and then twists |
| of the crop and areharder to break into than smaller | | | | and tugs them until we are presented with the humor |
| markets. | | | | of any person, place or thing. Maybe you've already |
| Stat by opening your Writer's Market and turn to | | | | written creative non-fiction. Think about the letters you |
| regional publications. Look online for regional and | | | | write to family and friends about your child's antics or |
| tourist-type websites for which you could develop an | | | | the woes you've suffered at work. As you craft an |
| article. | | | | event to entertain readers, you are writing in the genre |
| Whenever I go on a trip whether it's a day trip, long | | | | of creative non-fiction. |
| weekend or a flight across the country, I hit the local | | | | Have a long attention span? Write books! People are |
| newsstands and bookstores and gather up all the local | | | | hungry for information. Do you know how to train a |
| and regional publications I can find. A bonus is that | | | | puppy, open a pet grooming business, decorate cakes, |
| many of them are free publications; others may be | | | | raise children who love to laugh? Write a how-to book |
| given away by hotels as a bonus to customers. | | | | or a self-help book. It's not just PhD's that are published |
| This magazine collecting habit of mine serves two | | | | for their wisdom. Many average people have decided |
| purposes: I can study the publication and the area while | | | | they have something to say on overcoming tragedy, |
| I'm there, and come up with article ideas to pitch the | | | | living simply, surviving divorce and eating healthier. |
| editor. I can also use the articles as inspirations for | | | | The Internet offers a seemingly infinite number of |
| stories for other publications. A magazine in Ohio may | | | | markets that seek content. |
| have an article on the restoration of covered bridges in | | | | Sites hire writers to provide the information in |
| Licking County. I can take this idea and transpose it to | | | | understandable language that will generate business. |
| my region and pitch a story on the restoration of | | | | Other sites need local information - which restaurants |
| covered bridges in my home county. | | | | and tourist attractions are worth seeing and why. |
| Magazines are divided into two categories: consumer | | | | Others offer guidance to parents, or religious groups or |
| and trade. | | | | those in need of health information - all of these sites |
| Consumer magazines can be purchased in shops and | | | | need someone to write the content. |
| bookstores, and are published for the general public. | | | | Non-fiction markets provide solid work opportunities for |
| They include women's, men's, health, parenting, food | | | | writers, no matter where you live and what you like to |
| and drink, religious, and education magazines. | | | | write about. Find them in Market Guides, in newsstands |
| Trade periodicals are written for a specific audience of | | | | and online. |
| professionals be they equipment manufacturers, | | | | |