The Perils of Casual Prose in Nonfiction Writing

Here's what I learned from Good Prose: The Art of Nonfiction by Tracy Kidder and Richard Todd:

-When writing memoir, never insert present knowledge about your past if it means condemning your past self or celebrating your present self.

-Avoid casual prose such as, "you know," or "bet you thought," or "ummm, hello?" This style of writing seeks instant intimacy with the reader. It's a style what wants to SEEM fresh and authentic but has the opposite effect.

-Don't be melodramatic! I cannot write that "I was homeless" because I was crashing on my friend's couch in between living situations. Just write what happened. Just write the facts.

-If you want to publish a book you don't need a marketing plan or a book proposal. You need 20-30 pages of good prose and a trusted agent's counsel.