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Question: Do you agree with my father!?
I asked him if he likes Non-fiction or Fiction, and he said "Definitely, Non-fiction because Fiction is a waste of time!. It's a junk and the brain doesn't need junk"!.!.!.!.!.
well, he was amazed by Oliver Twist and that's fiction!. And that's what I want to be a fiction writer!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!. Anyway, Do you agree with him!?
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Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
He is not alone!.!.!.!. unfortunately!.

What would we be as a species without our capacity for imagination!. Many works of fiction have spurred scientific discovery down the road!. It is our power of imagination that allows us as a species to develop our technology and go further in society!. We can also use fiction to help us understand people and circumstance that we are unlikely to ever encounter otherwise!. What a wonderful thing that is!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

He is probably right that reading non-fiction would be more beneficial than fiction but I wouldn't say it is junk!. Reading helps to build skills like vocabulary regardless of whether it is fiction or non-fiction and is a good form of entertainment!. Does your dad watch TV!? What does he do for entertainment!? Everyone has an opinion on what is a waste of time but generally it is just personal preference!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

No!. I think fiction has just as much, if not more, to offer as non-fiction!. It gives us a window on a different world, showing us alternative ways to think or see things, ways we might miss if they were stated plainly on a page!. Fiction also gives us an entertaining way to examine different cultures and history!. It also provides a way to produce anti propaganda messages without blatantly saying it (important if you live in a communist country)!.
Non-fiction tells us facts and what to think--fiction can teach us how to do it!. (and, of course, it provides a cheap and relaxing form of entertainment!.)Www@QuestionHome@Com

I read mostly non-fiction, but write fiction because the mix keeps me balanced!. Maybe you could change his mind by giving him these non-fiction books to read!. They're told in an almost a conversational tone, so he probably won't pick up the difference!. It could lead him to other books!.

Try these:The Worst Hard Time (Timothy Egan) about the Dust Bowl!.
Sudden Sea (R!.A!.Scotti) about an Atlantic hurricane!.
Close to Shore (Michael Caprizzo)about a killer shark off the NJ coast!. You could watch the movie Jaws together--the film was based on this story!.
Stiff (Mary Roach) ways the body is used after death--legally!. There's the Body Farm (mentioned in CSI), legs severed & put into army boots to see how much detonation pressure is needed to blow up a soldier's leg, etc!.
Isaac's Storm (Erik Larsen) about the hurricane that destroyed Galveston in the early 1900s!.

Have you considered your Dad blows you off because he's not a good reader & is too embarrassed to let you know!?

Another aspect--& this is coming from a woman in her 50s--that maybe he's heard all the hype about HP & now the Twilight books that he thinks only junk is being published!. He may see HP as too "gay" & the other series for "not-so-bright" girls!. Ask him what he would like to read that you two could read together!.

Does he like horror--Stephen King may appeal to him!. Remind him the movie The Shining came from that book!. Think of his interests & try to counter in a positive way!. If he's still truculent, leave him alone!. There's no sense risking an argument!. What really counts is that you like to read!. Don't give that up!. And don't give up on your writing!!!
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interesting issue-- since much of what is generally accepted as nonfiction is speculative, much of what is accepted as history is biased, incomplete, or false!. in fiction, there is no illusion of truth per se yet much possibility for exploring the truths of various kinds of peoples lives in ways that nonfiction could never capture!.

just curious-- does your father watch movies, sit-coms, or TV dramas!?
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Fiction can nourish the mind just as much as non-fiction!. It offers so much more than entertainment and there is a reason so many academics write about fiction!. There are researchers arguing about the British literary traditions found in Harry Potter or examining the race relations in contemporary novels!. They are not stupid people and what they have to say helps us understand the world we live in!.

Fiction says something about the human condition!. It reveals motivation, delves into the psychology of the mind, offers historical context, connects people, embraces language and then spits it back out to be played with and absorbed!.

Be a fiction writer!. Your father may not see the direct benefit because he'd like to look down on the art of writing- but it may be because he doesnt understand it!. And he likes Oliver Twist! Charles Dickens wrote Oliver Twist as a serial in a newspaper!. During his time it wasnt considered "serious literature" but something easy for the common people to read over breakfast!. Opinion on what is worthy of our time changes!. Go after your dream!.

And, after you publish the next great novel that encapsulates our time, dedicate it to your dear old dad!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

My brother and my cousin feel the same way!. It baffles me, too!.
I love fiction and have no problem with non fiction!.
And who says you don't learn from fiction!? Its all observation of life!. Some deeper than others, but thats what its for!.!.!.besides entertainment of course!. But its too learn from others' actions in the fiction!. To see flaws or admirable qualities!.
Ah- maybe its the wiring in these people!. My cuz is into computers and my bro has a degree in engineering!. Both are techinically oriented and computer savy!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

He probably thinks the fantasy part of fiction is junk!. Science-fiction type stuff too!. maybe some fiction that has a reality base is okay for him!.

I don't read much that has a reality base!. It helps me escape my everyday life!. It helps me relax!. but it's all up to personal preference though!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

i don't agree i love fiction stories they are mush better and less boring then non-fiction also because i want to become a fiction writerWww@QuestionHome@Com

I think fiction can provide astounding insights on what it means to be human!. It's hard to call East of Eden or Flowers for Algernon a "waste of time"!.Www@QuestionHome@Com