tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post4371247719719710883..comments2023-06-10T22:42:19.087+10:00Comments on Australasian Christian Writers: Exploring Genres: NonfictionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-11887853892052059052017-11-07T16:53:28.905+11:002017-11-07T16:53:28.905+11:00Thanks for this breakdown Nola! I like the Christi...Thanks for this breakdown Nola! I like the Christian living type books that would fall in the 'self help'. One of my favourites is by Shauna Niquest and it's called Present over Perfect. It's a self-help that isn't all serious, has some fun in and some recipes, but also some tips on dealing with life. Leila Halawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00727515198209745876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-83488774550156799152017-11-06T17:54:56.369+11:002017-11-06T17:54:56.369+11:00Thanks Steph. I think a self-help book that doesn...Thanks Steph. I think a self-help book that doesn't take itself too seriously can be just as effective as the heavier ones. Humour can help lighten a serious topic and help people to see that they're not alone. And you're right that there are so many ideas to pursue. I've got lots of ideas on the backburner for when I finish the novel. Good luck with your projects and thanks for commenting :)Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-54163827150153359332017-11-06T17:22:10.816+11:002017-11-06T17:22:10.816+11:00Hi Nola, great blog! I guess my Survival series fi...Hi Nola, great blog! I guess my Survival series fits into self-help, except that it doesn't take itself too seriously. Interestingly, I also write other kinds of non-fiction such as songs and have considered a kind of professional memoir. So many ideas to pursue!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08712903549387092844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-63209382149797741842017-11-06T15:44:28.780+11:002017-11-06T15:44:28.780+11:00Hi Ian - Thanks for that. Wow, that's a lot o...Hi Ian - Thanks for that. Wow, that's a lot of nonfiction books in a year. I used to read primarily nonfiction, until I caught the fiction bug about 10 years ago. Now it's probably half and half (or a little tipped towards fiction).<br /><br />I think you've made a really valuable point about the universals in a good memoir. I have to remember that when I'm wearing my other hat as an editor. Lots of people want to write their life stories, but I always ask them what they hope to do with it. Writing it just for family and friends is certainly valid and some people are happy with that. However, I always let them know it needs to have broader appeal if they're hoping to have it traditionally published, or even if they're self-publishing but hoping to reach a wide audience.<br /><br />Your own project sounds really interesting. Good luck with it. It was great seeing you at the conference. Sorry I didn't get a chance to talk to you more. So much happening on the Saturday that my head was in a spin.<br /><br />Thanks for commenting.Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-37314350667406285952017-11-06T15:34:29.095+11:002017-11-06T15:34:29.095+11:00Hi Rita - Humour in a memoir definitely fits withi...Hi Rita - Humour in a memoir definitely fits within that category. Remember, I'm the woman who brought you clowns and penguins on the Gold Coast Highway! There are many humorous memoirs out there, but humour also has a place in an otherwise serious memoir to 'lighten the load'. I'll look forward to your tell-all book coming out. Thanks for commenting.Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-19666445663372521802017-11-06T14:17:19.364+11:002017-11-06T14:17:19.364+11:00Hi Nola, excellent introduction. I read over 50 no...Hi Nola, excellent introduction. I read over 50 non-fiction books most years, a combination of Christian living or self-help, bio/memoir and 'how to' ... Some of my favourite authors are: John Eldredge, John Ortberg, Jon Bloom, Mark Batterson, Dallas Willard, to name a few. I'll often study a "topic" as I've found most years there is a common topic that comes out. For example, prayer has been popular the last few years and I've read a number of different books on the topic. This year, "Intimacy with God" is becoming popular. Interesting for me as I'm working on my own project on this subject.<br /><br />Memoir-style books continue to be popular. One thing I've found that differentiates the better memoir from the average one is that they identify universal truths through their own experience. This has been valuable for me as I work on my non-fiction piece as often we can base too much emphasis on our experience which may not be universal and/or sufficiently interesting or relevant.<br /><br />We're all familiar with the comment "one day I'm going to write my story" - and yes, for many this is important to do for a variety of good reasons. The creating process side by side with the Lord is one great reason to do this. However, unless their story is particularly compelling or includes many universal truths it's unlikely to find a wind readership beyond family and friends.Ian Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00192687613923596829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-60326597949289524272017-11-06T14:16:53.942+11:002017-11-06T14:16:53.942+11:00H Nola, I've been tossing around the idea of w...H Nola, I've been tossing around the idea of writing about experiences I've had as the "better" half of our evangelistic ministry. I thought its title could be 'Beds I Have Slept In'. It would definitely contain scads of humour. Is that permissible in a non serious, non-fiction kind of memoir?Rita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-50823647968367085812017-11-06T11:14:12.334+11:002017-11-06T11:14:12.334+11:00Hi everyone - Just realised that one of the links ...Hi everyone - Just realised that one of the links isn't working. If you wanted to hear that Apollo 8 broadcast, you can find it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToHhQUhdyBY<br /><br />Sorry about the omission.<br />Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-20928046242628528162017-11-06T11:11:00.616+11:002017-11-06T11:11:00.616+11:00Thanks for that, Narelle. So much to cover in tha...Thanks for that, Narelle. So much to cover in that topic, that I feel I've only skimmed the surface, but hopefully it gives a general overview. And that is good timing re the archived posts. Thanks for giving them another run. Much appreciated :)<br />Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-91407407770472976742017-11-06T11:09:35.470+11:002017-11-06T11:09:35.470+11:00My pleasure, Jo. I really enjoyed 'Soul Frien...My pleasure, Jo. I really enjoyed 'Soul Friend'. I've heard a lot of good things about Henri Nouwen, but haven't actually read any of his books. Will have to check him out, along with the others you mention. <br /><br />I used to read a lot of biographies and autobiographies. 'The Hiding Place' and 'God's Smuggler' are still among my favourites, but I also like reading anthologies of short true stories. Everyone has a story to share. Thanks for sharing yours.Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-58312274727236429372017-11-06T11:07:09.796+11:002017-11-06T11:07:09.796+11:00Hi Sue - Thanks for that. I'm sorry I ran out ...Hi Sue - Thanks for that. I'm sorry I ran out of time to get something in this year, but will make sure I have something ready to go next time. A couple of the places I used to send short true stories to have folded, but there are lots of other opportunities out there. I'm looking forward to reading everyone's stories in The Gecko Renewal. Thanks for commenting :)Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-68746926428474578242017-11-06T09:42:32.635+11:002017-11-06T09:42:32.635+11:00Nola, excellent post! Thanks for providing a helpf...Nola, excellent post! Thanks for providing a helpful overview of the different categories of nonfiction. :)<br /><br />The timing for your post is also excellent - starting next Monday we’re drawing on the treasure in our ACW blog archives. We will be sharing your three part Creative Nonfiction series on each Monday in November. Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-64472586482853510422017-11-06T08:54:46.971+11:002017-11-06T08:54:46.971+11:00As I wrote in my comment on the CWD blog, thanks a...As I wrote in my comment on the CWD blog, thanks again, Nola, for including my book 'Soul Friend' in your excellent overview of what non-fiction is all about. When I next have to give a workshop on creativity in writing non-fiction, I will remember to refer back to this--very helpful.<br /><br />Also as I said on the CWD blog re my favourite non-fiction books, I love the more contemplative, reflective style of Christian authors such as Henri Nouwen, Richard Rohr, David Benner etc. I might not agree with everything I read, but it gives me much food for thought and prayer.Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-32696701428202242512017-11-06T08:42:55.084+11:002017-11-06T08:42:55.084+11:00Hi Nola. Thanks for giving 'The Gecko Renewal&...Hi Nola. Thanks for giving 'The Gecko Renewal' a shout out. Competitions like Stories of Life give people a chance to try their hand at nonfiction in short story form. It's a great opportunity and it looks like it will run again next year :). Sue Jeffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06198695729535623216noreply@blogger.com