Writing non-fiction

Writing non-fiction can be a lot harder for some writers, though many people think it is easier than fiction. Depending on whether you have an active imagination, fiction can flow out, be edited later and structured within an outline. An outline is important for two reasons: to structure your story, the "shell" of your book, and if you are having trouble "free-writing," as in writing the thoughts as they flow in the right direction without an outline, but in a structured basis of unfolding events that takes place throughout your story. With non-fiction, one needs to do a lot of research, and the research needs to be totally accurate. What helps non-fiction writers, is simple. You have to have an interest in the subject matter you are writing about. When I wrote my guidebook, I was totally into antiquing, and had just moved to Florida from New York. The atmosphere was amazing, and I was all about exploring my new state. Just around this time Highwaymen Art started to become popular, and I loved the African American lost folk art form that was becoming Florida's new discovered treasure. I decided it would be great to incorporate the antique shops that sold this popular art, and that could be my hook for promoting and selling my book, along with the rest of the antique districts and merchandise available. I wanted to make my book different, and being from a literary background, I was influenced by the writers who did their own thing, like Jack Kerouac, and countless others who had a voice in literature when it still mattered. So I wrote the book like a journal of my travels, talking about the city, the history, but structured it in a guidebook format. Well my idea worked, and people really liked the book. So if you have something you are passionate about, know how to write, and can find a market, go for it. Don't worry about finding publishers, just write. The Internet has done a lot for writers, so the time for creativity couldn't be better!
© 2007 Linda Stamberger

Fiction Writing

Fiction writing is an art form separate from the craft of writing itself. When writing non-fiction, there is emphasis on structure and factuality. The same rules apply for fiction, but a writer can take a "no holds barred" approach when it comes to fictitious story telling.

Many writers like to follow a structure, or an outline while writing, but in fiction writing, when pen hits paper or fingers tap at the keyboard, there are no rules, till structure becomes necessary for formatting a story. With the advent of computers, freestyle writing is easy. Some novelists still use pen and paper, and couldn't imagine having to type the entire length of their manuscripts while in the creative process.

Whatever one's tool of choice, fiction writing provides a serious outlet for writers to expose their innermost creative abilities to readers. Not only is one telling a story to the masses, but readers get to experience in their own way different worlds or lives other than their own, yet in some ways similar. Unlike film, where the observer follows the director's brand of film-making, reading of a novel is becoming a creative art form sorely lacking from people's lives.

In the modern age of computers, and our fast paced society, many people simply don't have time to read. They go see the movie version, missing out completely on the creative process of the original.

With the novel or short story, readers can exercise their mind and become inspired, and for writers, the more one reads and depending on what is read, the better writer one becomes. In a way, fiction writing is one of the best and least appreciated art forms. But there will always be people that love to curl up with a good book, use their own imaginations to interpret a story and turn the pages, each new adventure waiting to inspire.

© 2007 Linda Stamberger

Madonna: Avant-Garde Icon

Madonna is a true artist. To be an artist, one lives the work, incorporates a big part of themselves, from their personality, to their tragedies, their joys, their point of view, be it political, religious or life in general. Madonna has taken various aspects of her life, from her big dreaming days back in New York City before worldwide fame, up into present time. She has continuously been able to blend everything together into a popular form of artistry, that of pop star, but from a truly unique place, her own point of view, which has crossed over into a spiritual realm, hence her latest incantation.

This is not only true genius, a woman in total control in a difficult business, or a massive talent, but a woman who performs from her very being. Just watch her in concert. Look at her face when she sings, her throat quivering in emotion and feeling, the sparkle in her eyes, the glow in her skin. Maybe she is thinking about all her successes and riches, and this inspires her, or maybe not. Madonna may want to stay on top of her game, but she has nothing to prove, she has showed the world her immense range of talent and delivered the goods ten fold. Madonna's sense of discipline comes from a place of true devotion to the work itself, and to prove to herself what she can do. That is how she grows as a person. Dancers can relate to Madonna, singers can identify with her abilities, musicians, rich, poor, gay, straight, people of all ages, many have been affected by her, and why? Because she is avant-garde. She is that rare form of artist that has lasted, not only because of so-called reinventing, but because of who she is throughout her life in various forms and incantations of spotlight. She is timeless and classic, yet truly modern, her ability to go through the revolving door of change as effortless as her dance steps. One could leave off there, but many would like to argue this simple essay. Why?

Out of misunderstanding, dislike of her music, or her controversial approach throughout the years, but most obviously plain, old-fashioned jealousy of her phenomenal success. People may resent her, but don't discredit the artist. Critics of Madonna often see a megalomaniac personality, the "button pusher" who has the natural ability to get under someone's skin in both positive and negative ways. At the very least Madonna, with all her wealth building and artistic endevour, has had the guts to admit during various interviews that she has said things in the past that have hurt people, and owns up to some of her mistakes. So what else can anybody write about her, aside from judging the artist as a seperate entity all-together? She wouldn't have lasted this long if she didn't have talent, failed to inspire, and that's what is most important, she is relevant. It is her personality and aggressiveness that has molded her image, and is her saving grace. That in-your-face style is the force behind every beat, and that is what people admire, aside from catchy hooks and pulsating rythms, Madonna's strength in general. Not only is she an artist, but a modern woman putting it out there, and all on the line.

© 2007 Linda Stamberger