Nonfiction Writing – Patricia J. Parsons

Writing Prescriptive Nonfiction

Posted on 4 Feb 2025 by Patricia J. Parsons

I started my writing career as a health and medical writer for magazines back in the old days when they were in print and the process for querying took months via snail mail. I then morphed into writing and co-writing books on the same subjects. Many (if not most) of my nonfiction books have been prescriptive nonfiction. I had a brief foray into creative nonfiction when I wrote a memoir, but until I started writing fiction, I spent most of my time honing my writing shops in the world of prescriptive nonfiction books.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a video on WRITE. FIX. REPEAT. where I tackled five tips for writing creative nonfiction. (You can watch it here.) This week, I’m tackling prescriptive nonfiction, whose techniques are also valuable for content creators, PR writers, and anyone who wants to teach someone something.

The problem I’ve seen over the years is that many writers don’t know the difference between narrative and prescriptive nonfiction and often muddle them together, resulting in a mishmash of writing that benefits no one—not even the writer.

So, this week, I have five tips for prescriptive nonfiction based on writing almost a dozen trade and textbooks in this genre.

Nonfiction Writing, Uncategorized

Keys to Writing Creative Nonfiction

Posted on 24 Jan 2025 by Patricia J. Parsons

I began my writing career as a nonfiction writer. Most of what I did in my early years was in the specific genre of “prescriptive nonfiction.” Eventually, my appetite for more creativity kicked in, and I transitioned my research skills into some creative nonfiction before I moved into writing fiction. But I’ve always realized that my forays into creative nonfiction were just the bridge I needed to get me into writing novels.

Creative nonfiction, also called narrative nonfiction, occupies the fascinating intersection of fact and storytelling. This genre combines the authenticity of factual writing with the artfulness of literary techniques, resulting in works that are as compelling as fiction but rooted in actual events, people, and experiences. Whether you’re recounting personal experiences, exploring historical events, or delving into cultural commentary, creative nonfiction offers an expansive playground for writers.

My latest episode of WRITE. FIX. REPEAT. has some tips for writing nonfiction.

Whether you’re an aspiring memoirist, a budding essayist, or a seasoned journalist, creative nonfiction offers myriad opportunities to tell important stories. If you approach your writing with honesty, curiosity, and creativity, you’ll create stories that resonate with readers. The truth isn’t just stranger than fiction—it’s often more enthralling.

Nonfiction Writing, Writing craft

5 tips to improve your nonfiction writing

Posted on 31 May 2021 by Patricia J. Parsons

When I was a teenager, I had dreams of being a novelist. When I was in Grade Eleven, my high school offered us the chance to do an extra project in a subject of our choice. If completed adequately, this project would provide for the notation of “with distinction” to be added to our grade transcripts. That seemed like a good idea to me since I’d be applying to university the following year. Having an area of “distinction” couldn’t hurt.

The problem was that I chose to do this project in English rather than math or science because I fancied myself a writer. What’s the problem, you might well ask? It’s this: my highest marks were in math and science, and I planned to study science in university. Go figure. Anyway, I did the project, part of which required me to write five short stories. Fast forward past my Master’s degree (in science), and you find me a bona fide nonfiction writer.

Thirty years later, I find myself writing both fiction and nonfiction. What this cross-genre writing does for me is to provide me with a breadth of techniques and ideas, each genre benefiting from the other. So, last week I was thinking about nonfiction writing and how often every writer, regardless of genre, needs to know nonfiction techniques.

Everyone writes nonfiction every once in a while. Even novelists have to write their author bios and the occasional book cover copy. Publishers expect it (so do readers, by the way).

This week’s 5 tips are all about improving our nonfiction writing.