Non-Fiction #2

Non-Fiction 2. Looking at Similar Forms

One of the best “Non-Fiction” how to guides I’ve ever come across is the Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks. You can check out the webpage here http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/zombiesurvivalguide/index2.html if you feel so inclined.

What is a zombie? How are they created? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What are their needs, their desires? Why are they hostile to humanity? Before discussing any survival techniques, you must first learn what you are trying to survive.

SOLANUM: THE VIRUS

1. Source
Unfortunately, extensive research has yet to find an isolated example of Solanum in nature. Water, air, and soil in all ecosystems, from all parts of the world, have turned up negative, as have their accompanying flora and fauna. At the time of this writing, the search continues.

2. Symptoms
The timetable below outlines the process of an infected human (give or take several hours, depending on the individual).

Hour 1: Pain and discoloration (brown-purple) of the infected area. Immediate clotting of the wound (provided the infection came from a wound).

Hour 5: Fever (99-103 degrees F), chills, slight dementia, vomiting, acute pain in the joints.

Hour 8: Numbing of extremities and infected area, increased fever (103-106 degrees F), increased dementia, loss of muscular coordination.

Hour 11: Paralysis in the lower body, overall numbness, slowed heart rate.

Hour 16: Coma.

Hour 20: Heart stoppage. Zero brain activity.

Hour 23: Reanimation.

That brief excerpt should give you an idea of how the text is written. If you want to see more of that excerpt check here: http://www.powells.com/biblio?show=TRADE%20PAPER:NEW:1400049628:13.95&page=excerpt

This style creates a tongue in cheek feeling seriously dealing with potentially real world problems, in a serious way. However, as these are impractical events, we are allowed a glimpse of humour. It is this humour that works to engage different types of readers. Those who read this text (learning that an Off-Shore oil rig is the best place to hide from a zombie attack) will gain practical advice, but will also read for the humour of it as well.

Now if you plan on writing something more “dry” that’s alright too. But I would recommend that you check out the “dummies” guide books. Stores like BMV offer them for less than ten bucks each. The writing style in this text try to inform while remaining conversational.

Now – if you’re planning on writing something like a computer tech manual, the dry tone might work well to engage your target audience. Choose your audience wisely, and write towards them.

Cookbooks? They also fall into this light. Be aware. By all means, write for your audience. And the only way to do this? Know your audience before you write.