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.

Denne historien er fra September - October 2024-utgaven av Writer’s Digest.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September - October 2024-utgaven av Writer’s Digest.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WRITER’S DIGESTSe alt
Writing for a Warming World - Imagining the overwhelming, the ubiquitous, the world-shattering.
Writer’s Digest

Writing for a Warming World - Imagining the overwhelming, the ubiquitous, the world-shattering.

Climate change is one of those topics that can throw novelists—and everyone else—into a fearful and cowering silence. When the earth is losing its familiar shapes and consolations, changing drastically and in unpredictable ways beneath our feet, how can we summon our creative resources to engage in the imaginative world-building required to write a novel that takes on these threats in compelling ways? And how to avoid writing fiction that addresses irreversible climate change without letting our prose get too preachy, overly prescriptive, saturated with despair?

time-read
8 mins  |
July - August 2024
Kids' Author Meg Medina Inspires Readers
Writer’s Digest

Kids' Author Meg Medina Inspires Readers

WD chats with the National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature.

time-read
6 mins  |
September - October 2024
The Horrors of Grief
Writer’s Digest

The Horrors of Grief

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

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2024
The Mystery of Growing Up
Writer’s Digest

The Mystery of Growing Up

New York Times-bestselling author Jasmine Warga tackles a new genre with her signature blend of empathy for her readers, agency for her characters, and the belief that art is the great connector.

time-read
5 mins  |
September - October 2024
Education
Writer’s Digest

Education

Even if it's not your thing, you're probably familiar with the term dark academia.

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
A Do-Over Romance
Writer’s Digest

A Do-Over Romance

Karin Patton, the first-place winner of the 24th Annual Writer's Digest Short Short Story Awards, shares a funny story about secondchance love and a brief Q&A.

time-read
7 mins  |
September - October 2024
Everyday Wonder
Writer’s Digest

Everyday Wonder

How to mine awe from the mundane

time-read
8 mins  |
September - October 2024
From Ordinary to Extraordinary
Writer’s Digest

From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Unveil the hidden beauty in the facts and transform your nonfiction with the power of wonder.

time-read
6 mins  |
September - October 2024
Childhood: Our Touchstone for Wonder
Writer’s Digest

Childhood: Our Touchstone for Wonder

How to get in touch with Little You and create big new work for today.

time-read
8 mins  |
September - October 2024
Agent Roundup
Writer’s Digest

Agent Roundup

22 agents share details, about what kind of writing will pique their interest and offer tips for querying writers...

time-read
6 mins  |
September - October 2024