Day Job Writing vs. Fiction Writing

heidi2524 — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:02 +0000

Writing fiction is very exciting to me because it’s about telling a story and invoking emotions. At my day job, however, they are more interested in my business writing skills.

Which is an entirely different style of writing, in terms of … well, everything.

My fiction

has characters
has a plot
uses escalating conflict
contains a climatic confrontation
ends in a satisfying resolution
is told in active voice
is as gritty as appropriate for the story and audience

On the other hand, my business writing

has a table of contents
has an executive overview section
uses bullet lists
contains observations and recommendations
ends with an appendix
is told in passive voice
is as straightforward as possible while remaining polite

living shells

Quite the difference.

When I start writing fiction in the evenings, my day job writing can get in the way. The bullet lists aren’t an issue, but the passive voice sometimes sneaks in when I’m not paying attention.

And I will admit it is a relief to write characters who say what they think without having to be polite about it.

If you also spend time writing something other than your fiction, step back and see if the writing styles are compatible. One may be bleeding into the other, weakening it.

If there is a writing style clash, re-read some of your fiction, or that of an author you admire. See the story and feel the emotions. Then write your fiction your way.

And avoid using the passive voice.

Avon: It just occurred to me, that as the description of a highly sophisticated technological achievement, “Avon’s gadget works,” seems to lack a certain style.
- Blake’s 7, “Trial”, 2.6

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Day Job Writing vs. Fiction Writing