• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Marked Writers Publishing
  • enLIVEn Devotionals
  • Alisa’s Audibles
  • Alisa’s Youtube
  • Alisa’s Podcast
  • BookBub
Alisa Hope Wagner

Alisa Hope Wagner

Writing Words of Inspiration and Imagination

  • Alisa’s Books
  • Fiction Books
  • Children’s Books
  • Nonfiction Books
  • Fitness Books
  • Booklets
  • Anthology Books

5 Differences Between Writing Fiction and Non-fiction

May 25, 2020 by alisa hope wagner 2 Comments

5 Differences Between Writing Fiction and Non-Fiction

 

5 Differences Between Writing Fiction and Non-Fiction

I have been writing nonfiction and fiction books for twelve years now, and although the external process of sitting alone at the computer for hours and hours is exactly the same, the logistical and emotional expression of each genre is vastly different. Here is a list of five things to consider when writing both nonfiction and fiction.

1. Real vs. Imaginary: Nonfiction is based on real life and true facts that convey information, conclusions and arguments based on those facts for a life-changing effect on the reader. Fiction, however, is a made-up story, using the imagination, to entertain and, hopefully, enhance the life of the reader.

2. Thoughts vs. Scenes: In a nonfiction book, each chapter is made up of one or more sections of complete thought. For example, in my book, Fearlessly Fit, there are 15 chapters plus an introduction and conclusion. Each chapter is broken down into three sections, “Fitness,” “Food” and “Faith.” These sections are like main points that make up the full chapter.  In a fiction book, a chapter is made up of one or two scenes that each come from a single point of view. In my book, Bear into Redemption, Chapter 28 has 2 scenes divided by a decorative element within the book. The first scene comes from the perspective of my character, Bear, at his location in the “colony.” The second scene comes from the perspective of my character, Matt, at his location in the “city.” The colony scene carries the main plot, and the city scene carries a subplot that adds depth to the main plot of the story. However, the majority of my fiction chapters usually only have one scene in each.

3. Gathering vs. Imagining: In my book, Our 6, His 7, Transformed by Sabbath Rest, I gathered facts and data from the Bible and other Christian resources to support my claim that we, as God’s Children, have rest in Christ. I presented those facts in a vertical or layer-by-layer fashion to support the main idea of my book. I also used real-life experiences to help bring pathos (emotional appeal) and relevant application to the main idea. In my book, Mark within Salvation, I did broad research on various topics, tucking my research into the daily lives and dialogue of my characters. In chapter 17 of this book, my character, Li, is breaking in a wild mustang. I did research and got suggestions from people who know horses in order to write this scene accurately but with the poetic license of my imagination.

4. Downloading vs. Unfolding: In a nonfiction book, the writer is downloading information. This doesn’t mean that the information will be boring; it simply means that there is one person (the writer) sharing information to another person (the reader). This downloading of information needs to be done with integrity, creativity and emotional appeal, and the reader should have a change of perspective and/or a internal growth once the book is read. In a fiction book, the writer is unfolding an entire world to the reader. The writer has to create a setting, plot and characters and reveal them skillfully as the puppet-master (narrator) of the story. The writer has to create all of this using his or her unique writer’s voice and imagination, not only entertaining the reader, but, hopefully, enhancing the reader’s life and worldview.

5. Discussing vs. Dialoguing: In a nonfiction book, information, thoughts and feelings are discussed one-on-one with the reader. In a fiction book, dialogue between the characters or within an imaginative monologue conveys information, thoughts and feelings. I have no qualms in asserting that dialogue is one of the most difficult and beautiful aspects of fiction writing. God has given us language to touch the hearts, minds and souls of His people, and learning to speak on behalf of each character’s individual personalities (composed of his/her background, life experiences, design and purpose) is both challenging and exhilarating. For example, in my Onoma Series, I have two sects of people (Efficientists and Colonists), which speak in two very different dialects of English. Moreover, within each sect of people groups, I have a vast array of characters that all have different perspectives and styles of speech. Zach, the learned preacher’s son, speaks differently than Bear, the fighter who is street smart. They are both highly intelligent people but in different ways. I have to get to know each character intimately and discover for myself how he feels, what he thinks and how he speaks. If not, each character would be an unrealistic, flat multiplication of the narrator (me) who is neither a preacher’s kid nor a professional fighter.

In a sense, writing nonfiction is like diving eloquently and accurately off a high dive, going deep into the water below in order to touch the bottom of the pool, analyzing and explaining everything along the way.  Writing fiction is like carrying different glasses of water all over the upper body while walking with finesse and dexterity down the length of the pool without spilling or breaking anything, envisioning and portraying the entire experience. In both scenarios, water (the source of life) is being handled by the writer.

 

You can purchase Alisa’s Dystopian Christian Fiction books, the Onoma Series, on Amazon, starting with Eve of Awakening. 

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Christian Writing

Alisa’s Blog

Why Was the Law Given: Faith Soaking Season 4 Episode 1

Why Did God Establish the Law? Our history includes four ages: the Age of Noah, the Age of Abraham, the Age of Moses and the Age of Paul. We now live in the Age of Paul, which began after the Finished Work of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, on the Cross as prophesied by Malachi in […]

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Ignited Faith: Why Jesus Day 36

  Don’t let feelings of doubt, insecurity or unworthiness deter you from claiming God’s promises for you life. God is faithful and good. We just need to see Him as He really is and rest all of our faith on Him! “She replied, ‘That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps […]

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

The Protection of the Sword of the Spirit: Faith Soaking Season 3 Episode 8

Paul discusses putting on the full Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-17. These verses are so important because they hold God’s promises for our protection and victory. We have the Shield of Faith which is our first line of defense. We have the Belt of Truth which allows us to walk in our true identity in […]

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Winning the Prize

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it” (1 Corinthians 9.24 NKJV). I won fifth place out of around seventeen ladies during my first bodybuilding competition in the Figure Division. I was so excited. Four […]

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

The Protection of the Breastplate of Righteousness: Faith Soaking Season 3 Episode 7

Paul discusses putting on the full Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-17. These verses are so important because they hold God’s promises for our protection and victory. We have the Shield of Faith which is our first line of defense. We have the Belt of Truth which allows us to walk in our true identity in […]

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Dead Last: Part 2

“Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43.19 NKJV).   People stared at me as I sprinted past the running point, beginning my race twenty minutes late. I still had […]

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

The Protection of the Gospel Shoes of Peace: Faith Soaking Season 3 Episode 6

Paul discusses putting on the full Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-17. These verses are so important because they hold God’s promises for our protection and victory. We have the Shield of Faith which is our first line of defense. We have the Belt of Truth which allows us to walk in our true identity in […]

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Dead Last Race: Part 1

  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 21.1 NIV).   My town of Corpus Christi held their 46th Annual Beach to Bay […]

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ritchie Hale says

    February 8, 2019 at 1:35 pm

    This post is so tremendously helpful to me as I go forward with my non-fiction story. Thank you.

    Reply
    • admin says

      February 12, 2019 at 9:49 am

      I’m glad I was able to help. Good luck on your writing journey!

      Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

More to See

My Christmas Gift to You

December 18, 2023 By alisa hope wagner

Our Place in God through Jesus: (8) Perfection

August 3, 2023 By alisa hope wagner

Our Place in God through Jesus: (9) Provision

August 11, 2023 By alisa hope wagner

Our Place in God through Jesus: (10) Prize

August 16, 2023 By alisa hope wagner

Our Place in God through Jesus: (7) Peace

July 26, 2023 By alisa hope wagner

Our Place in God through Jesus: (6) Prosperity

July 21, 2023 By alisa hope wagner

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

About Alisa

Alisa Hope Wagner is a modern day anchorite writing words of inspiration and imagination. Read More…

Alisa’s Writing Awards

Footer

Search

Tags

Albert Morales Alisa Hope Wagner anthology Armor of God Bible Bible Study birthmarks Blessing Body Differences Book Review Butterfly Princess Books Children's book Christian Christian Fiction Christmas COVID depression Devotional Devotionals faith Family Fear fitness Free book God grace Holy Spirit Hope Jesus Jesus Christ Peace Prayer Princess Salvation short story sins Slay the Day Spiritual Growth strength victory Violet Moon Series waiting on god weight loss Why Jesus writing tips

Recent

  • Why Was the Law Given: Faith Soaking Season 4 Episode 1
  • Ignited Faith: Why Jesus Day 36
  • The Protection of the Sword of the Spirit: Faith Soaking Season 3 Episode 8
  • Winning the Prize
  • The Protection of the Breastplate of Righteousness: Faith Soaking Season 3 Episode 7

Alisa’s Newsletter

Subscribe to My Newsletter!

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 · Alisa Hope Wagner