Nonfiction Writing + Tricks for Your Noodle

Something about writing non-fiction has always felt a little icky to me. Whenever I start a prose piece that involves parts of my real life I tend to hide those bits with layers of fiction. It's not so much that I mind displaying my personal, uncomfortable moments (although that does play a role), but rather that it feels self-important to think that sharing my story would be interesting enough to captivate another human's attention, let alone mean something to them. 

And yet, so many non-fiction works have meant something to me. So when my writing class segued from fiction to non-fiction I sacked up and hit the keyboard. It wasn't easy. I should say it isn't easy...I'm still working to finish a piece I need to turn in on Monday. And I've probably started about six different stories. I thought about writing a braided essay about loss and the five steps of grief, but as I was putting important moments of my life into words it began to feel trite. I don't think it's that my stories lacked meaning, rather that my discomfort with writing about my own stories was coming through in my writing and mucking it all up. 

It happens. But after two weeks of self torture I've figured out a few tricks I thought I'd share that have helped me write personal non-fiction without gagging on my words:

1) I try to write without looking at the screen/page or paying attention to how and what exactly I'm writing. It may end up gobbly gook, but it's something to start with and then I can cut, cut, cut. I also try to do this with fiction as well but I find it's easier with non-fiction since I'm not creating the narrative or characters, just relating .

2) I try to picture the story in snapshots and write each part separately--whether it's atmosphere, character description, or dialogue--in whatever order they come out. Then I can rearrange them later so the narrative flows.

3) If I'm writing about something intensely personal, I sometimes write my first draft in third person. Distancing myself from the confessional "I" allows me to get out certain truths and opinions that I would otherwise choke back. Once I have the words down and I'm in revising mode it's easy to switch to first person and bring myself back into the story.

Wish me luck...time to get back to it!

Living in a Literary Mine Shaft

Yes, a mine shaft. Which is why I haven't posted in...oh...forever. Right now I'm interning both at a literary magazine and a non-profit dedicated to the literary arts (state book awards, literature fellowships, etc.). I say mine shaft because I'm so deeply entrenched that my vision's narrowed (quite literally--I read so much I need new glasses) and I rarely have time to come up for air and check out what else is going on. You'd think with this literary tunnel vision I'd be blogging about it more--sadly, I've neglected reporting from the front lines. I know it's not New Years yet, but I'm resolving to update here more with interesting insights from the inside (ohhhhh, way too much alliteration there). 

Until next time, here's a link to some From the Fishouse (an awesome resource) audio clips--both interviews and readings--by wonderful the Portland poet, Matthew Dickman, whose work I recently fell in love with. More on him soon!

Fathers and Sons by David Mason

An event almost as exciting as getting your own work published, is seeing a good friend or mentor's work getting the recognition it deserves. Such an event happened today when I came across one of my college writing professor's poems in the September 28th, 2009 New Yorker. Not only was I exuberant to see his work featured in such a notable publication, but I am thrilled with the poem itself--so brilliantly poignant and quietly beautiful. So, here's a link to David Mason's poem Fathers and Sons. 

Happy trails Dave, and thanks for everything.

Secret Agent Man

If you have a book-length manuscript sitting around, waiting for someone to marvel at its genius, then you're probably on the look out for a way to sell that bad boy and watch it take form as a perfect-bound, illustrated cover (with your name on it), bio and all, bundle of joy.

There are certain "publishers" that will offer to print your book (for a nominal fee) and claim they will work to see it off into the world. Sometimes they will be "agents," sometimes they will just provide you with an "editor." Either way, you want to avoid companies that ask you to pay them to sell your book. That's not how it's supposed to work! Sure, getting a legitimate agent is no easy feat, but it sure as hell beats going broke when your "publisher" forces you to buy thousands of copies of your own books because, oh wait, they don't even have a bookstore presence.

WordHustler (see earlier post) recently conducted an interview with Dunow, Carlson, and Lerner literary agent Erin Hosier, and in it she comments on what she looks for in an unsolicited submission. While her preferences may not be universal, I think she has some good suggestions: keep your query letter short, smart, and informative, and never send your full manuscript until they respond to your query.

To learn more, check out A Delicate Balance: An Interview with Literary Agent Erin Hosier.

A Contest for the Canadians

I know you're out there! Canadians, Canucks, whatever you want to call yourselves, it's your lucky day. If you have an unpublished book-length manuscript of short or novel-length fiction then you better get really excited for the Metcalfe Rooke Award. "The object of the competition is to uphold and celebrate the tradition of small press publishing and independent bookselling in Canada and to champion new and up-and-coming Canadian writers." I'm highlighting this award because there is NO entry fee and the prize is simply fantastic: "a publishing contract with Biblioasis, a leather-bound copy of the book, a $1,500 prize, a regional book tour to include festival appearances, a profile in The Quarterly, and a story published in Maisonneuve, summer issue." The deadline is September 30th. Oh, to be Canadian!

Contest for the Young 'Uns!

Speaking of Narrative, this fall they're hosting a "30 Below" story contest. They accept various forms of stories--fiction, non-fiction, even documentaries--click on the link for details. The contest opens on September 21 and closes October 29, 2009, so you've got lots of time to finish a new piece or polish an old one. Online submissions only!

Auden on Writing

Narrative, a non-profit organization that houses a great online catalogue of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from "the best new and emerging writers," has a great link to Writing: An Essay by W. H. Auden (who is obviously not a new or emerging writer, but this seems to fit in the writing guidance section). You can sign up for free to read the essay in its entirety online or print out the pdf. 

Below is my favorite phrase from the essay, which, while a bit long, is quite enjoyable, frank, and as always with Auden, beautifully written:

"Poetry is not magic. In so far as poetry, or any other of the arts, can be said to have an ulterior purpose, it is, by telling the truth, to disenchant and disintoxicate."