tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post4442247461394274088..comments2024-03-24T07:39:07.530-04:00Comments on Celebrate Nonfiction: Behind the Books: Thinking About StructureMelissa Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-89622199300045076862011-04-27T12:52:26.807-04:002011-04-27T12:52:26.807-04:00Thanks for the book suggestions, Melissa. I'll...Thanks for the book suggestions, Melissa. I'll check them out.Michelle Cusolitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02637858838936799501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-80223149041420161192011-04-22T14:36:55.899-04:002011-04-22T14:36:55.899-04:00I also think about structure right from the beginn...I also think about structure right from the beginning with my science poetry books, Melissa. When we write non-fiction, the sheer amount of information can be overwhelming. It helps to know how you want to organize it on the page. And I'm with you: if the project doesn't hook the writer, it won't be fun to work on OR to read!Leslie Bulionhttp://www.lesliebulion.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-36294273099304052412011-04-18T14:28:56.942-04:002011-04-18T14:28:56.942-04:00I agree with you 100 percent on the importance of ...I agree with you 100 percent on the importance of structure. I've edited (and written) dozens of nonfiction book over the years and it always surprises me on those rare occasions when an author presents a manuscript that is basically a collection of facts on a subject.Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16583924780335341252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-85993783310540900112011-04-15T10:48:51.965-04:002011-04-15T10:48:51.965-04:00Have you seen Antarctic Journal: Four Months at th...Have you seen Antarctic Journal: Four Months at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Owings Dewey? It might have a structure similar to what you have in mind. If so, you could refer editors to that book to get a sense of what you envision. <br /><br />There is also My Season with Penguins: An Antarctic Journal and some of the book sby Peter Lourie, which describe his own travel adventures for kids.Melissa Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322048827106827307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488042654610511802.post-21695073275263421792011-04-15T10:01:25.402-04:002011-04-15T10:01:25.402-04:00This is interesting, Melissa. I wonder how many au...This is interesting, Melissa. I wonder how many authors think of the stucture right from the beginning now. I'm interested to learn more about your process.<br /><br />With my recent non-fiction manuscript, I had the structure in mind right from the beginning. I have a clear picture of the format and what I want to convey through that format.<br /><br />The part I find challenging is submitting my manuscript, since my idea doesn't fit into the formats that are commonly seen. "Snake! An Ecuadorian Adventure," includes the true story of my encounter with a poisonous snake while doing research in the rain forest. Then I have lots of other "extas" to bring the setting to life- items I envision as sidebars or insets. I have photos, journal entries, scientific information about our research, details of life in a field station, etc.Michelle Cusolitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02637858838936799501noreply@blogger.com