The Write Path

Hello friends! I've created a creative writing group that I would love you to join!

I was reminded last week just how fun group writing prompts can be. So I've decided to start this group where writers and artists alike, can share anything from writing prompts to your latest work.

In this group please feel free to share your stories, poetry, lyrics, screenplays, and anything you'd like support and/or feedback on. If it's a longer piece we can exchange emails. Also feel free to start conversations about your favorite authors, writing tips, editing, blogging, and publishing.

The Write Path is a place for creative writers of all levels to communicate and support one another.

*Anything involving creative writing is welcomed in this group*

Please please invite your friends!

*The Write Path*

Fictional Non-Fiction

“Fictional Non-Fiction”

Yes, I write, what I like to call “fictional non-fiction.” I’m sure it’s not politically correct. But then again, who is these days, am I right? ;)

Fictional non-fiction….But…..but what does that MEAN?

Many people are confused by my “oh so clever” claim to write “fictional non-fiction”. I absolutely highly respect and admire fictional writers…especially sci-fi, fantasy…etc. Anyone who can write about hobbits, wizards, kingdoms, vampires, and werewolves and get people on board, totally have my vote. It has just never been my personal forte. Yet, interestingly enough, I wrote what I strongly considered “strict fiction” up until my junior year of college. That year I took a creative non-fiction writing class for the very first time. Before that semester, I assumed all non-fiction was strictly autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs.. aka “boring stuff”.  Don’t get me wrong, I had totally read biographies on The Beatles, Kurt Cobain’s life story “Heavier Than Heaven” and yes, even things like “The Heart and Soul of Nick Carter” (written by his mother btw) & loved them all. Anywhoooo, I was familiar with non-fiction, but at the time, didn’t realize exactly how creative one could get with it. That first non-fiction class I took in San Antonio was extremely eye opening for me. Ever since then, I began to write non-fiction, yet portray it, as if it was actually 100% fictionalized. Does that make any sense?

One can say I’ve been rather, “fortunate” to know the people I have in this life. I’ve been surrounded by real life characters for as long as I can remember. Needless to say, I finally realized one day, I don’t need to write fiction, I’ve got all the characters and drama I need, right here in front of me. So that was how my “fictional non-fiction” mindset began. Now I take it to much more extremes, meaning, the Life As We Note It series, is not simply non-fiction just with a few names and places changed. My series, Life As We Note It is fiction, but many truths of my own adolescent life definitely make there mark in the series.

One message I do want to send to young writers, and even young readers is, non-fiction can be soooo much fun! All my life I’ve always heard “write what you know”. So if you have a fascinating imagination about fantasy universes, or fictional creatures, that is totally awesome, please go with that, but also, please, keep in mind, even if you don’t, you, yes you, can totally still write fiction! I know, right? “Write what you know” is some of the best advice I’ve ever been given. If you’re a cheerleader, write about that. If you grew up with some weird unrealistic phobia as a kid, write about that. If you wish you had been adopted, write about THAT. Whatever you are feeling and thinking, believe me, somewhere out there someone is actually feeling and thinking the exact same thing. Someone out there will relate to your story, whatever it may be. Therefore, it just makes sense to write what you know. And write it well. Don’t hold back. You owe it to yourself.

So, long story short (HAH), I tend to write about things I (or people around me) have experienced in one form or another. And I do take certain personality traits of people I’ve met once or twice throughout my life, and put them in the characters I create. As Bob Nelson once said (one of my favorite authors) “Truth is sometimes best told through fiction”. Therefore, I proudly write, “Fictional non-fiction”.

Boom.

Sara's Must Reads & Favs

Hello friends! There are so many fabulous books out there, you know, besides mine. So I will start with a few I recommend that are similar to the genre I write, young adult fiction.

The Heartbreakers by Pamela Wells. Such a fun read about a group of girlfriends & their boy struggles. Sounds cliché, but the “rules” the girls come up with in their pact are what make it unique and interesting.

Define Normal by Julie Anne Peters. A great teenage story of irony, with a fun twist. It also has a very “Breakfast Club” like appeal…the rebel and a sweet conservative type girl coming together & realizing they have more in common than they thought. Overall, great book, with some deeper meanings buried in there.

Homeroom by Bob Nelson. Even though the 2 books listed above take place during the high school years, this one is probably geared strictly towards high “schoolers” and up. It’s absolutely one of my favorite books of all time, written by one of the most influential teachers I’ve ever had, Dr. Bob Nelson, or as we all called him, “Dr. Bob”. Dr. Bob taught psychology at my high school, J.J. Pearce in Richardson Texas. He was different than most teachers I had experienced. He actually seemed to take a genuine interest in his students and their lives. He was hands down, one of my top favorite teachers, and ended up being one of my favorite authors. His book has such an excellent grasp on the dirty politics of public education and teenage conformity and he tells it with such true psychological insight. I highly recommend you read this book within your lifetime. You won’t regret it. I have something highlighted or starred on almost every page.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. This was my favorite book when I was 11 years old. In fact, I read it twice in just 3 months I loved it so much. (And it wasn’t even a required reading for school) To this day it blows my mind that Hinton was just 16 when she wrote most of the book.

The Giver by Lois Lowry. Everyone should read this book. Such a strong message that I feel we, as a society, can really learn from. Anti conformity for life!

The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Soooooo goood. This read is definitely for older girls, though. The first time I read it I was a junior in college. I think every woman can (and should) take something from this powerful story on just how freeing it can be to break away from a certain comfort zone, or how women “should” behave. Are you sensing a theme here with these “book reviews”? Clearly I’m very into conformity and women’s oppression……*makes fart noise*.

Animal Farm by George Orwell. What can I say, it’s a classic for a reason guys (and gals, of course). Great meaning told by talking animals. A win win if you ask me.

Lord Of The Flies by William Golding. Another great classic. Human nature is fascinating, and a bit terrifying, and Golding captures it perfectly. It was a favorite of mine in high school and I still enjoy reading it today. It’s scary how many of my “must reads” were the authors first books….please don’t hold me to those standards…

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? By Mindy Kaling. I just recently read this one, and let me tell you, it is laugh out loud funny. It was super cool to hear about Mindy’s background, childhood experiences, and how she got to where she is today, all told in a very personable funny context.

Before Night Falls by Reinaldo Arenas. This is definitely very mature content, but it’s an autobiography by one of my favorite Cuban writers. An absolutely fascinating story.

And finally, anything, and absolutely everything, written by George Eliot. I adore that woman to no end. It’s like I was her in another life or something…..