Help for beginning writer

[mphstteach]

I appreciate all the advice given, I will respond to the person talking about how to ignore Stonewall unless I have uncovered new info, I would think that talking about the fact that WV claims him but he obviously would detest that would make quite and interesting topic, but I also have other things floating around in my head as well. Thanks everybody. Keep the comments coming!

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

As long as you stay away from Gettysburg* I imagine there are still some untold stories just waiting to be told... just have to find them.

___________
* Unless you're Eric Wittenberg.

 

[LostGettysburgAddress]

As long as you stay away from Gettysburg* I imagine there are still some untold stories just waiting to be told... just have to find them.

___________
* Unless you're Eric Wittenberg.

Found one.

 

[chellers]

There are books you can read on the craft of writing that can be helpful too.

If you don't mind, which books did you find most helpful?

 

[mphstteach]

If you don't mind, which books did you find most helpful?

I would also love to know so I could pick them up, thank you

 

[mphstteach]

One thing i forgot to ask, i had access to fantastic online libraries while doing my schooling, that is now no longer possible. Where are the places I should turn to? Am i going to need to break down and buy subscriptions to online libraries or are there free access to primary sources and books through certain sites?
Thanks again

 

[cash]

One thing i forgot to ask, i had access to fantastic online libraries while doing my schooling, that is now no longer possible. Where are the places I should turn to? Am i going to need to break down and buy subscriptions to online libraries or are there free access to primary sources and books through certain sites?
Thanks again

Is Marshall University close enough for you to drive there on the weekends? I've done a lot of research in university libraries over the weekends.

 

[cash]

I posted this in your other thread. My friend Megan Kate Nelson addresses aspiring writers on her blog:

http://www.historista.com/

 

[Lnwlf]

I am not famous nor a very good writer, but:

1) Don't allow yourself to become discouraged by rejection.
2) Take every success and failure as a learning experience.
3) Try, try, and try again.
4) In this internet age, take advantage of the digitized collections offered on line by many universities.

I echo the hearty congratulations for earning your degree, and wish you good luck!

 

[mphstteach]

Is Marshall University close enough for you to drive there on the weekends? I've done a lot of research in university libraries over the weekends.

Yep, that is where I graduated from with my undergrad. No clue if it costs to non-students though

 

[cash]

Yep, that is where I graduated from with my undergrad. No clue if it costs to non-students though

The library is free to all. Now, to get a card to borrow books may have a nominal cost, but to simply use the facilities is free.

 

[mphstteach]

thank you!

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Don't underestimate archive.org and Google Books. (Although the search engine on the latter is frustrating-- it doesn't always give you all relevant results-- persistent digging can pay off. For instance, I was able to locate PDF copies of all but two years of the Register of Commissioned Officers of the U.S. Navy from 1827 to 1900, but it took a lot of searching and re-searching...)

 

[cash]

You may have to budget for the photocopying costs.

 

[mphstteach]

I was going through the WV archives and their website is **** near impossible to find things on, but when you DO find what you are looking for they have tons of letters and communications from the war digitized

 

[rosefiend]

Quick note on writing a nonfiction book: Do not write the whole thing first. If you have a nonfiction book idea, in the industry it's best to write a book proposal. This includes a cover letter with a paragraph (or two) covering what the proposed book will be about, as well as your credentials for writing the book; a book synopsis with a chapter-by-chapter layout of your intended topic, a list of competing books and how your book will differ from what is already on the market; and a sample chapter. Naturally, this is not a hard-and-fast list;

I'm sure that an editor in academic history will have different requirements than a children's publisher. If this route interests you, there are a number of books out there about writing book proposals.

This might be getting ahead of things, though. The most important thing about how to be a writer is to write, a lot. The other important thing is to read the best writing in your field, and to study that writing. How do these authors use these sources to craft compelling stories? Copy them and actively use their techniques in your work. This method may bring home the bacon.

 

[rosefiend]

 

[LostGettysburgAddress]

If you don't mind, which books did you find most helpful?

By request, here are some of the books I used to help me understand and improve in the craft of non-fiction story-telling. My own observation is that the Civil War field, and history in general, while having an inexhaustible supply of quality thinkers, great research and painstaking detail, suffers from an under supply of talented writers. Here are my personal favorites on the craft of writing and I am sure there are many others:

Story Craft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction by Jack Hart (University of Chicago Press, 2011)
Voice and Vision: A Guide to Writing History and Other Serious Nonfiction by Stephen J. Pyne (Harvard U Press, 2009)
Clear and Simple as the Truth: Writing Classic Prose by Francis-Noel Thomas and Mark Turner (Princeton U Press, 2011)
You Can't Make This Stuff Up: The Complete Guide to Writing Creative Nonfiction from Memoir to Literary Journalism and Everything in Between by Lee Gutkind (De Capo Press, 2011).

Gutkind may set the record for the longest subtitle of the 21st century. Hope this is helpful. I think you need to find out if you have a talent for writing. If you do, these books can improve the skills portion of the equation.

 

[chellers]

By request, here are some of the books I used to help me understand and improve in the craft of non-fiction story-telling. My own observation is that the Civil War field, and history in general, while having an inexhaustible supply of quality thinkers, great research and painstaking detail, suffers from an under supply of talented writers. Here are my personal favorites on the craft of writing and I am sure there are many others:

Story Craft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction by Jack Hart (University of Chicago Press, 2011)
Voice and Vision: A Guide to Writing History and Other Serious Nonfiction by Stephen J. Pyne (Harvard U Press, 2009)
Clear and Simple as the Truth: Writing Classic Prose by Francis-Noel Thomas and Mark Turner (Princeton U Press, 2011)
You Can't Make This Stuff Up: The Complete Guide to Writing Creative Nonfiction from Memoir to Literary Journalism and Everything in Between by Lee Gutkind (De Capo Press, 2011).

Gutkind may set the record for the longest subtitle of the 21st century. Hope this is helpful. I think you need to find out if you have a talent for writing. If you do, these books can improve the skills portion of the equation.

Thank you, sir, for your time and assistance. I think others here will find these titles helpful and I much appreciate your recommendations.

 

[ole]

Simply google "Writer's Guide." That will give you contacts to any number of writer's assistance books.

The basic book is Rudolph Flesch's "Why Johnny Can't Read." After that, there are any number of guides to getting published. It's a very old book, but it is well worth reading. By now, it ought to downloadable for free or really cheap.

Notice in the threads that there are hard reads and easy reads. None but the most dedicated readers like hard reads. Learn to be a writer who is easy to read and you'll have an easier time finding a publisher -- and a subject of interest to your intended readership.

Someone advised you to keep at it. That's good advice. Don't ever become discouraged and quit.

EDIT: I see abebooks has 161 listings. Perhaps you can trace it on other electronic media and find a free one.