Looking for a helpful and engaging book on writing? Two excellent resources from Sol Stein are Stein on Writing and How to Grow a Novel. The latter obviously addresses fiction writing, while the former addresses both fiction and nonfiction and how to apply fiction techniques to nonfiction.
Both books give practical tips and many helpful examples. In Stein on Writing, Stein begins by clearly defining his intent: “This is not a book of theory. It is a book of usable solutions—how to fix writing that is flawed, how to improve writing that is good, how to create interesting writing in the first place” (p. 3).
I give special note to Stein’s ability to explain how to write good dialogue, create memorable characters, and increase pace and tension—and that includes suspense and tension in nonfiction: “In articles, newspaper stories, and books, the reader’s interest often flags because the writer did not keep in mind that dramatic conflict has been the basis of stories from the beginning of time” (p. 232).
Happy reading—and writing!
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Kelli Sallman is a freelance editor, writer, and writing coach, specializing in fiction and narrative nonfiction, as well as inspirational and religious nonfiction. Kelli enjoys the process of helping other writers find their unique voice and story. She uses her teaching and editing skills to coach writers to improve their craft and bring their stories to fruition, and her knowledge of the traditional and self-publishing industries to help authors create platforms, get published, and get heard.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.