In a post on the Killzone blog, PJ Parrish says that fiction writers can learn lessons from great essayists about connecting with their readers. Essay writers “see things more sharply than average folk,” Parrish writes. “And they spin what they see into great stories that anyone can relate to. Which is pretty much what we novelists should be trying to do.”
Parrish shares some advice using some of her favorite essayists as examples.
- Make your subject relatable. Nora Ephron wrote about her awkward tween and teenage years, as well as the challenge of aging gracefully.
- Use your experience to find your own voice. David Sedaris connects with readers because he relates his experiences with wit and humility, Parrish says.
“Sad stories, dashed dreams, and memorable mistakes are ammunition for writers,” Sedaris has said. “Any experience can be converted into a story, and rough experiences often make the best stories. As a writer, failure is soil for growing heartfelt stories. Vulnerability is a powerful draw. Write down your biggest failures, then review the list to see which ones can be marshaled into relatable stories for your readers.”
Having trouble finding your voice? Don’t worry about it. “After you’ve written 10,000 words, 30,000 words, 60,000 words, 150,000 words, a million words, you will have your voice, because your voice is the stuff you can’t help doing,” Neil Gaiman has said.
