Skop past the promo at the top of this post (you can go back later if you want) to get to this advice for nonfiction writers.
5 Research Steps Before Writing Your Book Proposal
http://janefriedman.com/2014/07/09/5-research-steps-write-book-proposal/
Tag: writing
This writing life
A friend who used to work in radio and I were comparing notes this week about how writing varies for different media. We agreed that it generally needs to be tighter for radio than print, but that it should be “good” for both. We also agreed research is important, in addition to word choice and grammar.
We talked a little, too, about how people in various media work. Here’s more on that topic from one of radio’s best.
I’m Ira Glass, Host of This American Life, and This Is How I Work
http://lifehacker.com/im-ira-glass-host-of-this-american-life-and-this-is-h-1609562031
Worth _____ words
Despite the headline writer’s enthusiasm, I don’t find these photos all that eerie.
Fascinating? Yes, in a picture-prompt sort of way.
Pick one and write 1,000 words — or a novel, or a poem, or a history of window displays.
Eerie and Fascinating Photos of a Completely Empty New York City Taken in 1964
What else is out there?
No matter what you write, research is important. But beyond knowing background about the people, places and things of your story, it’s good to be able to know what has already been written about your subject.
Just how many histories of crocheting already exist? What else has been written about sparkling vampires or robotic lawmen?
One place that can help with that research is the American Library Association’s Booklist magazine and website.
Paean to pretending
Meanwhile, back at the keyboard, these writers claim they’ve been inspired — even trained — in their craft by role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons.
Then there are the rare few who have made their careers in role playing games. Take Matt Forbeck, for one, who has D&D among his credits.
Really, though, who can argue that a childhood spent imagining and pretending isn’t a childhood fit for a writer?
A Game as Literary Tutorial – NYTimes.com
sharon p. lynn 