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Anonymous Tue 27 Oct 2015 17:59:37 No.7291344 View Reply Report Delete

How do I start my first great non-fiction piece?

I have a few ideas which I think are bookworthy, however I didn't go to University which makes the pitching/publishing angle difficult. However, I don't care too much about that as I think the texts will have merit alone.

I am just wondering if there's anything in your view which makes a non-fiction piece stand out. Is it relatable anecdotes? A strong and mind-blowing opening premise? Or structured and logical arguments throughout?

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 27 Oct 2015 18:05:01 No.7291354 Report Delete

Quoted By: >>7291367

>>7291344
Maybe start off by doing not-so-grand-in-scope non fiction, like posting your essays on a blog (yours or not)? Get noticed that way, if that's what you're after?

Assuming it isn't bait, care to talk about it?

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 27 Oct 2015 18:07:24 No.7291367 Report Delete

Quoted By: >>7291394 >>7291401

>>7291354
I already have regular columns on some publication websites and a few decent publications (booklets and so on). I'm not a newly published author.

But I am 25, and I've been researching my field for a few years now, and I'd like to embark on my Das Kapital, my Origin of Species, my Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. I won't post what my field is as it will derail the thread. I'd prefer to keep the discussion generalised, on how to write great quality non-fiction.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 27 Oct 2015 18:14:57 No.7291394 Report Delete

Quoted By: >>7291425

>>7291367
Thread's you and me mate, but your call. I respect that.

Can you give me advice on how to write non fiction, since you know much more than me? Let's make this a non fiction writing general, maybe?

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 27 Oct 2015 18:15:58 No.7291401 Report Delete

Quoted By: >>7291414 >>7291425

>>7291367
>I won't post what my field is as it will derail the thread.
Gender studies? Sociology?

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 27 Oct 2015 18:19:03 No.7291414 Report Delete

Quoted By:

>>7291401
It's gotta be gender studies.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 27 Oct 2015 18:20:59 No.7291425 Report Delete

Quoted By: >>7291483

>>7291401
Nothing that shit. I've posted about it before though and the conversation spirals out of control in specifics.

>>7291394
I started writing non fiction outside of work about 2 years ago and started from scratch in terms of learning how to do citations, structure arguments and so on. I don't know any great secrets besides the journalist's pyramid. The successes I've had have been knowing when to latch on to a positive editor and sending a lot of pitches out there.

I think the best non-fiction is relevant to normal people, regardless of the complexity of the subject, has a bit of a personal touch, and doesn't misuse any science but asks more questions than it attempts to answer. But I'd be curious to know what others think. I'm a big fan of polemics but probably my favourite non-fiction would be The Sickness unto Death or Schopenhauer's World as Will and Representation. We can discuss those perhaps.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 27 Oct 2015 18:21:04 No.7291426 Report Delete

Quoted By:

>>7291344
you don't start with a great piece
If people regard you as great later they will start with the great works.

Just aim for a good book.
And tbh I don't know what to do other than that , but I imagine just like a long paper.

Start thinking about what you want to say, do a shit load of research, plan the structure and start.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 27 Oct 2015 18:34:59 No.7291483 Report Delete

Quoted By: >>7291521

>>7291425
Unfortunately, I haven't read those - even though people around me think I have which is kind of weird. Aut-aut was a pretty good read, though I can scarcely remember something beside my general feelings at the time. What's your take on more, let's say, free-form non fiction? Burroughs' essays, Anti-Oedipus if we want to keep talking Philosophy, hell, Joan Didion? I know I'm picking a rather diverse set of writers and themes and ways of writing, but that's just to get the discussion going.

I (even if my writing experience, when it comes to n/f, is limited to a few measly articles) prefer to write thrusting myself in the topic, not really trying to answer questions as more trying to let questions come to light where there usually aren't any.

What about language, then? I don't believe people here have read Manganelli, but I feel there is a need sor "style", for virtuosism in writing articles and essays. A need for "poetry", brief incisions of meaning and schizoid words that still make sense.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 27 Oct 2015 18:45:10 No.7291521 Report Delete

Quoted By:

>>7291483
Also, ESL and all that shit

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