Writer's Dilemma: Fiction or Non-Fiction

So you want to be a writer and don't know where to start. The first choice you need to make is whether you want to focus on nonfiction or fiction. The idea to specialize comes from Kelly James-Enger's book, "Ready, Aim, Specialize!" James-Enger only dealt with fiction, but the principle applies to non-fiction as well. Because you need to gain experience in writing on the subjects you are interested in, you must choose your focus.

The choice you make should be determined by your writing style and your interests. Do you like to write short works or long works? Are you more interested in current events and politics or sports and entertainment? Which do you prefer, a news-article or a short-story?

The goals of nonfiction and fiction are very different, and so are their styles.

The goal of nonfiction is to communicate instructions, events, and information concisely and accurately as possible because others will be relaying on your writing. With nonfiction you are providing needed data. Nonfiction is used to see what has been done, and what still needs to be done, on a project. It can also be used to sound a warning and help test solutions. If you chose to write nonfiction will be writing articles for news papers and magazines. Because nonfiction is far more time-sensitive, it uses the short formats more frequently; for the same reasons, the grammar rules are so strictly followed. So if you prefer news than novels and like to write short works, choose non-fiction. To write nonfiction books, you need to have some experience on the subjects you want to write about. Writing articles now is a great step toward writing nonfiction books later.

Fiction is easier and more fun to write. The goal of fiction is to entertain by communicating emotions; you communicate with your audience in a way you simply can't with nonfiction. Here the grammar rules are not quite so strict, and you can find a format to fit any length of work. Use fiction to prick the conscience of your audience, share an adventure, go on a journey, inspire your audience, or generate new ideas. Fiction's ability to generate new ideas is very real; "Star Track" had fictional communicators that became the inspiration for our very real cell phones which we use today. If you like generating new ideas, thinking of possible solutions, communicating with people, and inspiring people; you should choose fiction. If you like writing long works, write a novel or a TV series. If like writing medium works, write a move script. If like write short works and love fiction, the short story is for you.

The choice is up to you now; however, you do have to choose. To master one, you must limit the time you spend on the other. The sooner you chose, the faster you gain experience.