Happy National Non-Fiction Month! (See Penny Dolan's ABBA post on Writing Fiction; Reading Non-fiction: Two ways of celebrating November.)
Pieter Brueghel the Elder The Wedding Dance (1565)
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I'm new to writing non-fiction* and the curve up which I have been learning has been a steep one. It's been fascinating to find the parts that are the same as writing fiction - things like bringing a character/person to life through the telling detail; whittling away the unnecessary; telling a story that has a strong pulse. But there have been plenty of differences, and the biggest has been the number of people involved in the process right from the beginning. It's been quite a crowd!
Who have been the partners in the dance?
The author - in this case, the authors
The editor - and in this case, as staff shuffles about, another editor to come on board for the final push
The senior editor - who offers another other round of comments and changes and suggestions
The designer - who works on layouts and provides scamps** for the authors and, with the editor, briefs the illustrator.
The illustrator - who, um, illustrates
But a simple list of the dancers didn't prepare me for just how intricate the steps were going to be. Back and forth; point that toe; tap that heel; slide gracefully round there because until we've heard from X we can't go on with Y; no point adjusting that step sequence until the dance is basically over; proof; proof; proof and hop; let the text lead; let the pictures lead ...
A wise woman told me 'Remember - it's a conversation' and that advice has really helped. I'm adding to that, especially now as we swirl towards the end, 'Remember - it's a dance'. Keep moving, mind where you're plonking your feet, and listen to the music. And when the evening's over, with luck, we'll have ourselves a book we can all be proud of!
* Coming out July 2021 Talking History: 150 Years of Speeches and Speakers by Joan Haig and Joan Lennon, Templar Press, aimed at 8-12 year olds
** It's not just new ways of working - it's new vocabulary as well! I had no idea that a scamp was not a scallywag, but a sketch.***
*** Don't ask me why. But if you know, please tell me!
Joan Lennon Instagram
5 comments:
Lovely blog -- and good luck with your non-fiction. I've never heard the term 'scamp' either but your experience sounds rather like mine, when I worked on Super Scientists with Game Changer. I like your comparison to a dance -- with the changes in editor and the several different advisors and commentators, it was a bit like a dizzying reel!
Thanks Susan - and of course there are editors and all sorts involved in the final production of a fiction book as well. It's just that the first part of writing fiction is a much quieter, solitary affair!
So good to read that your new book is on its way!
I like the comparison to a dance too - very nicely done!
Thanks Penny and Sue - it's been fascinating learning new stuff!
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