Does Being a Non-Fiction Author Put me in a Box?

tembers

Registered
Joined
Dec 21, 2017
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Location
U.S., East Coast
Hello,

I have been most comfortable writing non-fiction essays and memoir-style creative non-fiction. It feels most natural to me but it's also a style of writing that requires a lot of vulnerability. I find that starting with short stories offers a welcome respite from the heavy self-examination and exposure. But I wonder if stepping outside my writing box will water down my solidity as a non-fiction writer. Thoughts on this are welcome!
 

Tazlima

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jun 26, 2013
Messages
3,042
Reaction score
1,494
Hello,

I have been most comfortable writing non-fiction essays and memoir-style creative non-fiction. It feels most natural to me but it's also a style of writing that requires a lot of vulnerability. I find that starting with short stories offers a welcome respite from the heavy self-examination and exposure. But I wonder if stepping outside my writing box will water down my solidity as a non-fiction writer. Thoughts on this are welcome!

When you say "water down," do you mean you're afraid your writerly reputation will be affected, since your audience associates you with non-fiction? Or are you concerned about your writing abilities themselves?

If it's the former, a pen name is a simple solution. An author who writes both picture books and horror novels, for example, might choose to use two names to separate the brands. (Others don't bother. It's a purely personal choice).

If it's the latter, I'd say branching out can only make you better. Think of it like cooking. Let's say you're already awesome at frying, and now you've decided to try your hand at baking. You'll not only add a whole new skillset to your repetoire, you'll actually discover areas where the knowledge gleaned from each technique will enhance your abilities in the other.
 
Last edited:

Curlz

cutsie-pie
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jan 5, 2016
Messages
2,213
Reaction score
382
Location
here
But I wonder if stepping outside my writing box will water down my solidity as a non-fiction writer.
Of course. You won't be a "solid" non-fiction writer any more. Part of you will be melted down and molded into "fiction-writer" shape ;)

I don't really understand your question. Are you saying that fiction or short-story writing excludes "vulnerability" or "self-examination and exposure"?
 

tembers

Registered
Joined
Dec 21, 2017
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Location
U.S., East Coast
When you say "water down," do you mean you're afraid your writerly reputation will be affected, since your audience associates you with non-fiction? Or are you concerned about your writing abilities themselves?

If it's the latter, I'd say branching out can only make you better. Think of it like cooking. Let's say you're already awesome at frying, and now you've decided to try your hand at baking. You'll not only add a whole new skillset to your repetoire, you'll actually discover areas where the knowledge gleaned from each technique will enhance your abilities in the other.

I mean my reputation or potential "brand". There's a very successful memoir author whose books I love but when I tried the same author's fiction, I didn't like it at all. Not sure if that's because of my view of this person as a strictly non-fiction author or not.

Love this analogy. Thank you.
 

tembers

Registered
Joined
Dec 21, 2017
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Location
U.S., East Coast
I don't really understand your question. Are you saying that fiction or short-story writing excludes "vulnerability" or "self-examination and exposure"?

Yes, compared to the type of writing I do. Exposing something about my family life or personal struggles feels a lot more vulnerable and open to personal critique (as I've already experienced) than writing about a science fiction character.
 

Siri Kirpal

Swan in Process
Kind Benefactor
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Sep 20, 2011
Messages
8,943
Reaction score
3,151
Location
In God I dwell, especially in Eugene OR
Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

You can certainly write both if you want. You could use your vulnerability to write about fictional vulnerable characters.

But if you're concerned about reputation, then yes, a pen name might be the way to go.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal
 

veinglory

volitare nequeo
Self-Ban
Registered
Joined
Feb 12, 2005
Messages
28,750
Reaction score
2,933
Location
right here
Website
www.veinglory.com
I don't see how learning to do more would lessen you. If you want separate brands you just need to use separate pen names.
 

DrDLN

Banned
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Messages
381
Reaction score
10
Website
bit.ly
I think pin name is common among F authors. There is hardly any NF author who uses pin name....
 

AW Admin

Administrator
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 19, 2008
Messages
18,772
Reaction score
6,285
I think pin name is common among F authors. There is hardly any NF author who uses pin name....

This is not true. Many non-fiction authors use a pen name. Many non-fiction writers, moreover, are ghost writers, who work for hire.
 

cornflake

practical experience, FTW
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jul 11, 2012
Messages
16,171
Reaction score
3,734
Also how would you know who's using a pen name and who's not?
 

veinglory

volitare nequeo
Self-Ban
Registered
Joined
Feb 12, 2005
Messages
28,750
Reaction score
2,933
Location
right here
Website
www.veinglory.com
My particular point was that you can use a pen names for fiction and your name for non-fiction--although other options are certainly available. That explains why I serve as a non-fiction mod here based on relevant experience despite this particular veinglory account not being connected to it (and my avatar being under yet another name).
 

MichaelC

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Feb 11, 2018
Messages
65
Reaction score
2
Location
New Jersey
You could use two different pen names. One for fiction and the other for non-fiction.
 

DepressedbutnotDead

Registered
Joined
Aug 8, 2018
Messages
13
Reaction score
1
Location
Massachusetts
I don't think so at all, if anything, I think it will give you more insight as a writer. Maybe you can start by meeting the problem half way, write a piece of fiction based on the typical research you would do as a non-fic writer?
 

MartinVestgard

Registered
Joined
Oct 7, 2018
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
A good fiction author has to be able to write non-fiction too. Objectivity, reasoning and the likes are part of fiction too and being able to articulate these clearly will definitely help the fiction author in the long run.
 

_Melody_

Registered
Joined
Aug 4, 2018
Messages
18
Reaction score
2
There are many writers who have done both. Some better then others, but it CAN work. I think you can be talented in multiple genres. Just try it out and let people around you read it as a test to see if its up to your usual standard.

And if you’re Really concerned about your reputation, the different pen names some have mentioned is a good solution.
 

Irene Eng

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Dec 19, 2018
Messages
86
Reaction score
3
Location
New York
For nonfic, you write what you know ... no?
 
Last edited: