which is easier to write fiction or non-fiction?

[amykhar]

and the second part of that question would be when does bad writing show up more? In a work of fiction or in a work of nonfiction?

Amy

[Grouch]

When everything is going well and the brain cells are busily working their appointed tasks like bees in a hive and the creative juices are flowing like honey...then fiction is easier. I have worlds upon worlds and armies of characters crowding for space inside my cranium. When they start stepping on each other's toes and elbowing each other aside to get up to the front of the line, then I know it's time to sit down and release them through the keyboard.

All this is a fancy-schmancy way of saying I'm really a fiction writer disguised as an Epinionator.

The problem for me right now is finding the time and the discipline to sit down and create a new piece of fiction. I'm impatient. I want to get the whole thing down on paper in one sitting (it's amazing I was ever able to produce an entire 300-page-plus novel).

So, in that respect, non-fiction is easier to write. There's nothing like the pleasure of sitting down at the desk and rising two hours later with a chunk of writing you're somewhat pleased with (not saying this happens with all of my reviews, but some of them).

[jo.com]

Other than children's books, I will only do non-fiction. For one thing I can read non-fiction faster and knowing I am reviewing it doesn't ruin the reading as it does with fiction. Same reason I won't review movies. I don't understand how people can enjoy them if they know they are reviewing them. I think bad writing can show up anywhere!

[Joubert[$]]

Fiction is easier when I've done the hard work of universe creation, characters, settings, etc. I've been blessed to hit a zone when characters talk to each other and I simply type their dialogue.

Non-fiction can be easy to write when you have a command of the subject matter. Amy, if I were to ask you to write a 300 word piece on why XML is an improvement over the original HTML, you could probably quickly dash off a fast piece. If I were to ask you to do the same on "How To Buy Socks", you might be even faster. But if I were to ask you for a nutritional analysis of early New England settlers and the impact of their diet on population, well, it might take you a wee bit longer.

That said, editing (not just copy editing, but all editing) remains the time consuming part of writing. Remember the old saw that I'm probably misquoting, Good writing is knowing what to leave out.

[sibhreach]

This is a difficult question - but I've thought about this all the time, being that I do both. I write non-fiction on Epinions, while still writing fiction as my usual persuit. I find both challenging, but I am better, and therefore more comfortable, at fiction-writing (having done that a few years longer).

At times, the directness and clearly defined rules for non-fiction come a lot easier than developing fictional characters and their surroundings. I have the writer's block to prove it. Other times, there are reviews on my hard-drive that will probably never see the light of day because they are more miserable than the worst of my published Epinions - and if you've seen my worst, you're probably cringing about now.

In short - it all depends on what it is I'm writing.

Cairlí

[magenta321]

I think thinly-veiled fiction is easiest to write, but tends to show the weaknesses of the author, and is hard for the author to edit (afterall, it's usually semi-autobiographical).

I have written many such poems, and I know they suck, so I don't show them off.

A friend of mine (another former English major) just got back into writing after 6 years. He now wants to write a novel. All I could do when he let me read a bit was groan inside. But, the smile on my face and my words hopefully told him something different than "hey, this is about you and so and so, and it's not very interesting". Sorry. I played the supportive friend role, rather than the critic role, and I think I chose wisely. Someone else can criticize.

[Workingmomof2]

I like writing non-fiction - research based pieces, etc. It is less stress on both my ego and my creative flow.

That said, I also write advertising and in some of my past jobs, coming up with new & creative copy occasionally called for great works of fiction Current job not included, of course!

[taurusmoon]

Originally posted by Workingmomof2
That said, I also write advertising and in some of my past jobs, coming up with new & creative copy occasionally called for great works of fiction

Amen to that.

I find non-fiction infinitely easier than fiction. While I might be considered creative, I am fairly unimaginative. Yes, there is a difference.

Non-fiction gives me a basis of fact upon which to build. Fiction forces me to rely completely on the dark recesses of my mind. It's far too scary in there.

Sara