This amazing post changed my thinking about how strategic withholding of information (by cutting away from the action, changing POV and more) can work in nonfiction just as it does in fiction. When I'm using my nonfiction brain, writing journalism or history, I'm always thinking about how to use dramatic tools to give more access and insight. I've never once thought about deliberately blocking access--the way we do in suspense and mystery!--to keep some questions unanswered. Thanks for this incredibly useful piece. And the book itself sounds great!
This amazing post changed my thinking about how strategic withholding of information (by cutting away from the action, changing POV and more) can work in nonfiction just as it does in fiction. When I'm using my nonfiction brain, writing journalism or history, I'm always thinking about how to use dramatic tools to give more access and insight. I've never once thought about deliberately blocking access--the way we do in suspense and mystery!--to keep some questions unanswered. Thanks for this incredibly useful piece. And the book itself sounds great!