Karen Lange's 5 Reasons to Write Nonfiction - with Comments!

Please welcome Karen Lange today!
My utmost apologies for having the comment area turned off when this post originally went live.

Five Reasons to Write Nonfiction

By Karen Lange

Merriam Webster defines nonfiction as “writing that is about facts or real events: all writing that is not fiction”.

I think it is important for writers to write nonfiction because we’ve been given a gift, an opportunity to share and affect change through our words.

Here are my top five reasons why nonfiction writing is important.

1. To Share Stories: The Interview  

An interview helps readers get to know a person on a deeper level. William Zinsser said, “Nothing so animates writing as someone telling what he thinks or what he does-in his own words.” I agree. A firsthand account is an excellent primary source that adds great value to our work. The writer gets to share an authentic story and the reader comes away informed, entertained, and enriched.

2. To Share Events: The News Story

Where would we be without good journalists? Someone has to keep the public up to date on what’s happening. Journalistic writing offers a medium for news presented in a thoughtful, organized, and engaging way.

3. To Instruct: The How-to Article

How many times have you searched Google to find out how to do something? What would we do without articles like “How to Clean a Tile Shower” or “How to Train Your New Puppy”? This type of article informs and equips, providing a valuable service for readers.

4. To Educate: The Essay

Essays come in many forms, such as comparison, persuasive, and narrative. Using a topic or question, they make a point by research, analysis, and personal interpretation. They educate readers on topics from scientific and political to entertainment and humanitarian issues. The essay provides an opportunity to express info and opinions in a unique and creative way.

5. To Encourage: The Inspirational Piece

Through inspiring words we can encourage, soothe, and urge readers to pursue dreams. You never know what simple bits of wisdom and truth might stick with a reader, urging them to be better and kinder versions of themselves. Whether quotes on a blog post or a topical article saying, “I’ve been there, too,” uplifting words are timely and welcome.  

Nonfiction writing is a great tool that enables us to make a difference. What will you do with it today?

Happy writing,

Karen :)

Karen Lange is a freelance writer, editor, blogger, online writing instructor at the coffeehouseforwriters.com, and the author of two books for homeschool parents. Her articles have been featured in print and online publications. She's a big fan of dark chocolate, historical fiction, and ice hockey. Visit Karen at her blog, karenelange.blogspot.com

Find Karen

Blog - karenelange.blogspot.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authorkarenlange/

Twitter – @KLELange

Tyrean: My favorite of these is the interview, but I also like the Why kind of how-to articles! :)

Thank you, Karen!

Tara Tyler with 5 Reasons to Write with Talk-to-Text

Please welcome guest Tara Tyler for Top 5 Reasons to Write with Talk-toText

talk-to-text

I am dictating this entire post on my phone. when I first saw/heard someone talking to their phone I thought they were absurd. how silly for someone to talk text messages into their phone. but since I am a terrible Texter, not nearly fast enough for my tech savvy family, I gave it a try. now I love it. So here are my top five reasons for talk to text...

1. it's quick and easy.
2. I can send myself a note about a change in schedule or something I need at the store or a new story idea.
3. I can leave a more detailed text.
4. it can be funny when it gets your words wrong - I guess that's good or bad but my youngest son and I have made a game out of it!
5. my family also hates it, so it's fun to annoy them.

thanks so much tiring (Tyrean, it has trouble with your unique name, just like my son Jace) for having me over at your place! these top five posts are a lot of fun!



Tara Tyler has had a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After moving all over, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently she has two series, Pop Travel (techno-thriller detective capers) and Broken Branch Falls (fantasy adventures). She's a commended blogger, contributed to several anthologies, and to get all these projects in, she economizes her time, aka the Lazy Housewife. Make every day an adventure!

Talk to me!
Author Blog ~~ @taratylertalks ~~ Facebook ~~ Housewives Blog


Thank you, Tara!!! I love your thoughts, and the text-messages. I totally get my name thing - one of my cousins has been calling me 'tiring' for years and years (since we were both seven). 

IWSG March 2016: 5 Reasons to Write, Flicker, and News

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG

The awesome co-hosts for the March 2 posting of the IWSG will be Lauren Hennessy, Lisa Buie-Collard, Lidy, Christine Rains, and Mary Aalgaard! 

And, let's not forget our Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh!

My insecurity this month: Can I keep track of what I need to do to complete my goals?

I don't know. I've tried putting stuff on the calendar. I've e-mailed myself.

The reality is that life is sometimes a little wild (two sets of wisdom teeth were removed in our house last month - not mine), and I get dizzy spells if I'm on my computer too long.

So, I have to reserve writing time, teaching prep time, and social media time separately, and that means it's a little hard to keep up with all of it.

How do you keep on track with your goals?

Flicker: A Collection of Short Stories and Poetry is out! 

So, I'm kind of proud of this little collection that's taken me nearly 3.5 years to pull together - 90 short stories and poems, 49 of which were published in online and paperback publications over the last three years, some lighthearted, some dark and grim, some about superheros and some about human trafficking victims, a few about criminals and villains, and seven sonnets from the point of view of a depressed artificially intelligent robot who wants somebody to love. So, the collection is diverse and odd, and I'm still thankful for all the writing that went into it. In a way, it's my answer to the criticism, "you always write the same story," and the answer to the statement, "now that I've read your novel, I know exactly how you think." If you are over 15 (some PG-13 content), you could check it out. 

Readers wanted: 15+

Smashwords

Kobo

Nook

Kindle

Paperback

If you are interested in getting a pdf copy for review, please e-mail me at tyreantigger (at) gmail (dot) com.

There is no blog tour . . . my dizzy spells mean that I have to limit my blog time to once a week for posts, and random moments for visits. Random shout-outs and unexpected spotlights are always greatly appreciated. :)

And why can I tweet these days? - I've started (hangs head in shame) using an automatic feeder. (Please let me know via e-mail if I can add something into my tweet feed for you.)

Five Reasons to Write:  I am opening up my blog for more guest posts. Please see the 5 Reasons Tab above, because I'm looking specifically for posts that start with 5 Reasons to Write _____ (you fill in the blank). I have a list of possible topics, but new topics can always be created. :) I have about 5 guests signed up for the next four months.

News

Miss Jack Lewis Baillot has a new book coming out: Brothers In Arms. Check out her blog for top secret details and updates! Blog tour coming soon.

Shelley Sly has a new book coming soon! 

Typer Stockton should not spend her summer at Camp Caspar.

Camp Caspar is a “behavior camp,” full of delinquents. Kids who steal. Kids who beat up other kids. Twelve-year-old Typer may not have made the best choices during her sixth grade year, but she’s nothing like these wacko and hostile campers.
Yet, her parents insist that Camp Caspar is the consequence she deserves, so she’s sleeping in a bleak, nearly empty cabin for the next month. As Typer spends her days trying to earn “smiley points,” while avoiding some of the biggest jerks she’s ever met, she can’t help but wonder:
What is she doing here? How is it fair that she’s stuck at this ridiculous camp where she doesn’t belong?
Or, even worse, what if she belongs here after all?

Misha Gerrick also has a new book coming soon!

Tara Tyler has a new, awesome, unconventional project out: Jolissa - An Anti-Princess Story - in e-book and as an ongoing series on youtube - how cool is that?! (Extremely! Tara rocks!)

And, I belatedly made a donation to Peace Rehabilitation Center for all the sales of my Summer Vacation Devotions booklet from last year (and a few early sales from this year). My sales proceeds totaled around $27 and I gave them $50 because it is a really good group of people, helping the victims of human trafficking in Nepal. For those of you who purchased that book, I want to say - Thank you! You didn't just support me with that, but you supported women in desperate need. Thank you! I'm going to continue to donate to them and plan for the sales proceeds from that book to be a part of that process. 

And . . . in case you are curious, the book is actually a very lighthearted devotional book for families on summer vacation. It's kid-friendly and discusses God's word tasting as sweet as s'mores, and God's armor being like sunscreen. The only part about the work that Peace Rehabilitation Center does is in the back matter of the book and it doesn't get detailed. 

And, I'm sure there's more news out there . . . 

Do you have news? How do you keep track of your goals? Interested in Flicker?

And . . . from the mama "brag" files, there's this pic from all-winter training (family calendar explosion):

(my girls are the two on the far right - a high kneel canoeist and a kayaker)

A day on the water, training for the upcoming season. Most of this group have their goals set on competing in the 2016 Olympic Hopes Regatta this fall in Hungary. Can you spot Payton?
Posted by Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Racing Team on Monday, February 29, 2016