From Ordinary to Extraordinary
Writer’s Digest|September - October 2024
Unveil the hidden beauty in the facts and transform your nonfiction with the power of wonder.
RYAN G. VAN CLEAVE
From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Wonder isn't just for children or fiction; it's a powerful tool in nonfiction that pulls readers into a universe of awe and amazement. From the mysteries of the cosmos to the intricacies of human DNA, infusing your books and articles with a sense of wonder can transform dry facts into a riveting read. Whether you're detailing technological marvels or the unsung heroes of history, here are ways to pick topics that thrill, spin narratives that engage, and choose words that awe.

Let's uncover the art of making readers wonder-and keep them coming back for more.

SELECTING YOUR SUBJECT

Think of wonder as the secret sauce that turns routine writing into a page-turner. Subjects that drip with inherent interest-like the mysteries of space exploration, the alien world of deep-sea phenomena, and the cuttingedge of technologies-are natural magnets for wonder. Dive deep to hook your readers with the extraordinary hidden within the seemingly ordinary.

How do you spot these gems? Start with big questions that push the boundaries of human knowledge and imagination. What's out there beyond the visible stars? How do creatures survive in the crushing depths of the ocean? What futuristic technologies could redefine our future? These questions capture the reader's curiosity.

Wonder isn't only found in cosmic mysteries; it also lies in the minutiae of daily life when viewed through a fresh lens. Take a common object and reframe it: How does a zipper work, its tiny interlocking teeth a marvel of precision engineering? Or what's the journey of a raindrop from cloud to river, a tiny freshwater capsule traveling hundreds of miles, nourishing ecosystems and carving canyons over millennia? By presenting everyday subjects with a twist, you transform the commonplace into magnificence.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September - October 2024 من Writer’s Digest.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September - October 2024 من Writer’s Digest.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من WRITER’S DIGEST مشاهدة الكل
What Is Your Story Question?
Writer’s Digest

What Is Your Story Question?

Revision and editing advice to take your first draft to the next level.

time-read
7 mins  |
January - February 2025
Writing for the People We Hope to Become
Writer’s Digest

Writing for the People We Hope to Become

Elisa Stone Leahy's new middle-grade novel, Mallory in Full Color, tackles the in-between moments of adolescence, when who we are and who we want to become collide.

time-read
5 mins  |
January - February 2025
Creating Community
Writer’s Digest

Creating Community

Whether hot off the presses or on the shelves for years, a good book is worth talking about.

time-read
3 mins  |
January - February 2025
Pat Barker
Writer’s Digest

Pat Barker

The Booker Prize-winning author of Regeneration shares the role characters play in developing novel ideas and explains what appeals to her about reimagining mythology.

time-read
10+ mins  |
January - February 2025
How to Write in Different Genres
Writer’s Digest

How to Write in Different Genres

Emiko Jean and Yulin Kuang share tips and strategies for how they successfully write in different genres and mediums.

time-read
8 mins  |
January - February 2025
The Shortest Distance Between Two Points
Writer’s Digest

The Shortest Distance Between Two Points

Ten tips for writing a novel with 100-word stories.

time-read
8 mins  |
January - February 2025
Mayfly Marketing
Writer’s Digest

Mayfly Marketing

How to sell your novel in a short-attention-span world.

time-read
9 mins  |
January - February 2025
"You'll be a great essay".
Writer’s Digest

"You'll be a great essay".

How to write six types of personal essays by finding the funny in your life.

time-read
9 mins  |
January - February 2025
The Idea Factory
Writer’s Digest

The Idea Factory

Tired of staring at an empty screen? Unlock your inner fiction generator with these surprising inspiration techniques.

time-read
9 mins  |
January - February 2025
Seinfeld Was Right: That's a Story
Writer’s Digest

Seinfeld Was Right: That's a Story

Use mundane moments from everyday life to create stories that pack a punch.

time-read
10 mins  |
January - February 2025