The Anxious Person’s Guide to Narrative Non-Fiction review by Heather Haylock

Run by the Western Washington SCBWI region, the speaker for this event was Sarah Jane Marsh.

I signed up for this for two reasons – I’m interested in branching out into narrative non-fiction writing, and I classify myself as a worrywart. So this was the perfect webinar for me!

The first topics covered were fuelling up (‘it’s okay to start badly’) and packing your backpack (finding your big idea, finding shiny objects to share, clarifying your connection to the topic, and bringing a range of lenses to look at an idea). Then we learned about embracing the uncertainties – how to start, how to end, what voice to use, what structure to use, how different narrative arcs work best for different projects. Sarah Jane stressed that we don’t know these things when we start, and that’s okay!

Strategies covered included using mentor texts to get started, pulling shiny things from our backpacks (interesting facts and snippets that either embellish or can become the centre of your story), being inspired by our sources, and expanding our vision (we miss things on the periphery if we become too focussed on a vision, too early). Sarah Jane encouraged us to explore aspects like point of view, scope (be prepared to expand or contract your initial vision), tense, structure, voice and theme.

Tips and tricks included being creative with using thumbnails and storyboards (not always a comfortable place for an author who has limited drawing ability!), and being brave enough to reach out to strangers as sources of information and inspiration (even when it’s scary).

Finally, some practical steps once you have your ideas and research underway – share with a trusted person, listen to your gut, move excess information to back matter, and give yourself permission to step away from a project (either for some breathing space, or altogether).

I felt quite encouraged by the end of this webinar. I’ll end this summary with a quote Sarah Jane included in her presentation – “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.” (J.R.R. Tolkein, The Lord of the Rings)

Link to Sarah Jane Marsh website is here

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