Fiction vs. Non-Fiction

I often ask myself what exactly is the difference between writing fiction and non-fiction. Are there any 'plus'' and 'contras' to either of them or is writing in either group just flowing, no matter what?

Does the fact that fiction is fictional makes it easier to come up with story lines and description of characters etc., since nobody can case them down? Or perhaps it's the total opposite?

I'm pretty sure that some people here can tell us there opinions. I'm looking forward to it.

This is a good question.

I write fiction because it allows me to do anything I want, but I notice that I still tend to use real world stories or bits and kinda of collage them together into a story.

You have to enjoy studying people and places for minor details to write non-fiction. I am right now on vacation going to a number of places where people have collected even minor items associated with a person or event. I don't have that level of concern.

I consider my writing career to have started in High School. We were given a book to read, then the teacher went off into detail about the writing style of the author. An assignment was given to write in the style of the author. I wrote a strange secret agent story. The paper came back with a note from the teacher, "Nothing like the author B+." I figured that if I could bomb an assignment, but still pull a B+, then I must be a pretty good writer.

I have also found the some of the same rules to apply to my life. I see things from a completely different perspective than most. Thus, what I consider important details are not what others focus upon. In science and math the odd thinking helps, as it enables to see answers where others do not. In teaching the unique perspectives help and hinder, depending on the locked mentalities of those around me. In writing, I guess that it has hindered, as the established publishers are very locked into a certain writing style.

I thus prefer fiction, as I can present my own perception of characters in my own creation of realities. I prefer fantasy, because it allows me to completely escape. I have written some science-fiction, but my vision of the future did not win any friends. I have written some superhero, but those did not gain any support. I am about to do a thriller here, maybe someone will like it. Fantasy has an audience, and I enjoy it, so I will keep doing it.

I can see where writing non-fiction is tougher because of accuracy of facts. I can see where fiction is tougher since everything has to be created in the story. I write more of a blend of the two. I take a situation or story about something real and add my theories or beliefs to them to help explain things. I do it the opposite way as well.

If I write about something like what Heaven is like it may be based on a vivid dream (or did I really visit Heaven in my sleep?) it is going to be considered fiction. Well, to me it isn't exactly fiction if I believe it to be a real look at Heaven. So I just forget about what genre I am in and just tell the story. Then I just call it fiction and leave it at that.

I get a kick out of using the two genres together though. Sometimes the fiction is more believable than the non-fiction.

Joe wrote:

Sometimes the fiction is more believable than the non-fiction.

That reminds me of all those "Stranger then Fiction" shows, which were all started by Ripley's success.

But good point on this.