The same tips and tricks of writing fiction apply to writing nonfiction, from avoiding the passive voice to eliminating cliches.When you experience writer's block, you can always take the time to do more research and dig deeper into your topic.Writing nonfiction requires patience, persistence, and a strong narrative voice to get it right.
Step 1: Understand the genre.
Literature is based on fact.Nonfiction writers can focus on topics such as biography, business, cooking, health and fitness, pets, crafts, home decorating, travel, religions, art, history, etc.Anything and everything is possible on the list of subjects for nonfiction writing.Nonfiction is different from fiction in that it is structured around real events, practices, and approaches to a subject.A memoir is a record of events based on intimate knowledge and personal observation.If you are writing a memoir, you will need to research your memories of a particular event.Most memoirists don't do a lot of research as the basis for their story is personal memory.
Step 2: There are many good examples of nonfiction.
There are many well written and engaging non-fiction books that end up on the Best of the Year lists.The war in the Middle East is one of the popular non-fiction topics.Food writing, home décor, and travel writing are topics of interest as well.The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History is a nonfiction book.We are experiencing the sixth mass die-off, thanks to the changes imposed on the planet by humans, according to a science writer who looks at the history of life on earth.The non-fiction looks at the influence of humanity on nature and science.Bryan Stevenson wrote Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption.Stevenson wrote a book about the trial of a black man who was convicted of murdering a white woman.Stevenson presents a new way of thinking about the death penalty and examines the prejudices of capital punishment in America.24 Hours on the Line is a movie.The setting of many popular nonfiction writing has been the restaurant kitchen.The sous-chefs are the egotistical head chefs and the young wild ones who serve under them.The reader is given sharp prose and technical detail to see the sights, smells, tastes, and conflicts of a shift in the kitchen.Cheryl Strayed wrote "From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail".A great example of combining a personal story or memoir style writing with factual detail and scenes is Strayed's nonfiction tale about her journey through heartbreak, addiction, and loneliness on the Pacific Coast Trail.Kathy Barnes wrote a book about projects and tips for every room.The book on home décor was written by Better Homes and Gardens.It has over 200 home improvement projects with clear directions and beautiful photographs.
Step 3: Look at the examples.
When reading nonfiction books, think about how the writer uses factual evidence in the book and approaches the topic in an interesting way.What makes a writer's approach unique or engaging?How does the writer tell a story?The information in the book is organized by the writer.Is section breaks used?What parts?A table of contents?How does the writer cite their sources?What is the most affecting scene in the book?Which scene was the least effective for you?
Step 4: Pick a topic or subject.
Maybe you already have a topic in mind, or maybe you don't know how to narrow down your interests.Home in on your topic and the angle you are going to take on the topic is important.Do you want to be passionate about or interested in something?Writing a book about a subject you are interested in will make your research more vigorous and your dedication to telling the story stronger.What is the only story I can tell?What makes my view unique?You might have an interest in same-sex marriages.You have to figure out what your take will be on these topics.You might focus on the development of a particular technique for pastry making.For a current topic like same-sex marriages, you may want to look at how the subject is affecting the Bible belt.Who would read this book?Identifying the audience for your book and the market for it is important.To justify writing the book, you need a large audience.A nonfiction book about the evolution of the croissant might be of interest to other pastry makers, food critics, and readers with an interest in baking.It may appeal to historical buffs who enjoy looking at the history of food.
Step 5: Brainstorm.
Take some time to think.Open a new document on your computer by taking out a blank sheet of paper and a pen.A mind map with boxes around the main idea is one of the ways you can come up with ideas.There is a list of possible unique angles on the main idea.Is there a food history of the croissant?The political implications of the croissant?There are different types of croissants in Europe.
Step 6: An outline is a table of contents.
A table of contents is one of the easiest ways to organize your thoughts.You can focus your research on certain aspects of your topic with a more detailed outline.A bulleted list should have the main topic and sub topics under it.For a book about the croissant, the main topic might be The Croissant and the sub topics could be: Origin/History, Development, Establishment of the basic croissants, and Current variations.You can also make a chart with the topics and sub topics.Try to expand on the idea as much as possible and write down anything that you feel may be a sub topic of the main topic, even if it feels a little out in left field.
Step 7: How much research will you need to do?
Nonfiction is based on months of research.You may need to use archives and record offices, newspapers, and even microfilm.You will need experts on your subjects and witnesses to events.First person accounts of an event can be shared by individuals.You will need to follow up on leads, interview people, and read a lot of material.You may need to research a topic in your table of contents.If you want to learn more about the history of the croissant, you should talk to historians who specialize in researching french food culture.What do I not know about this topic?Who is the best person to talk to?What kind of documentation can I look up?
Step 8: There is a research to do list.
The table of contents is a good place to start looking over your content plan.Put the research items on a numbered to-do list.Make a list of books and articles you need to read.A French bakery is a location you may need to visit.You will need to interview experts and witnesses.
Step 9: First, start with the most important elements.
If you don't have the luxury of years of research, this is a good tactic.You should order your research to-do list from more important.
Step 10: Interviews with experts or witnesses should be done early on.
Give your people time to respond to your request for an interview.When setting up an interview, be specific about when the interview will take place.If you can't get a possible interview subject to respond to you about an interview time, be persistent.If they have busy schedules or get a lot of emails, you may need to contact them again with a reminder email.It is possible to talk to subjects that are easier to access, like a family friend who can give you an expert opinion or a person who works in a lower position.Establishing a relationship with someone who works for someone you are interviewing can help you get in touch with the subject of the interview.
Step 11: Interviews should be conducted.
Listen well during the interview.You are doing the interview to find out more about the person.Don't interrupt the person speaking or show how much you know.Prepare a list of questions for the interviewer.Don't feel obligated to ask your questions.The person may give you information you weren't prepared for, so be open to moments when the interview goes in a different direction.Ask for clarification if you don't understand a point.Carefully bring the focus back to the subject you are researching if the person starts to go off on a tangent.If you are interviewing someone in person, use a digital recorder.If you are going to be interviewing a lot of people, you may want to hire a transcription service to help you out.If you are interviewing someone online, you can download recording apps that will record your conversation.You can either watch the video again or send it to a transcription service.
Step 12: You can use the public library.
The research librarian is your new best friend.In many ways, librarians are still walking databases.You can get a specific shelf for your topic or a book that may be useful from most librarians.Ninety percent of research is done through libraries, so take advantage of this free information source.
Step 13: Look for university and specialized libraries.
Most universities have a large central library.University libraries are a great place to access books and online databases for free.
Step 14: You can check out government records.
There are a lot of public government records and documents that can be used for research.Key factual information can be found in many of the documents that are free to access.
Step 15: You can take advantage of the information on the internet.
Search engines are one of the best ways to conduct internet research.To find useful sources of information, type several words into search engines.It's a good idea to start with search engines.Dogpile and MetaCrawler are metasearch engines that tend to search lesser known and specialized websites.The downside of metasearch engines is that they can pull from paid for content, full of advertisements.Look past the first page of your search.Some of the best sources may be on page 5.You will need to check the About Us section of the website to make sure the sources are legit.
Step 16: Take your research and put it in one place.
You can keep all your research documents in one place by using an online folder.You can start a Word file with your notes.Post it notes can be used to notate important information.You should keep a physical folder for important documents, like photographs, newspaper clippings, and handwritten notes.
Step 17: Analyze your work.
Take some time to look through your documentation.Determine if your research supports your original angle or if it sheds a different light on it.You may have thought a book about the evolution of the croissant was unique, but in the course of your research, you discover other books about pastry making.Think about what your book will be like.Your book about the evolution of the croissant looks at how crescent shaped breads from the Middle Ages developed into the French and Austrian croissant we enjoy today.
Step 18: A writing schedule can be created.
How long it will take you to write a draft of the book will be determined by this.If you work under a deadline, your schedule may be tighter than if you have more time to write.If you are writing a nonfiction book from a memoir perspective, you will have less research to integrate into the book.You will write about a process you created, your life story, or your area of expertise.It will take longer to write a research based nonfiction book as you have to study, evaluate, and summarize your documentation.Interviews with experts and witnesses are what you have to draw on.It's a good idea to organize your schedule around word count or page count.If you normally write about 750 words an hour, add this to your schedule.If you think you can write two pages an hour, use this as an estimate in your schedule.Determine how long it will take you to write a set number of words.If you want to reach a final word count goal of 50,000 words or 200 pages, you need to know how many hours it will take.Allow more hours than you think you need for unforeseen circumstances.The deadlines should be set weekly.It could be a word count or a page count.Set weekly deadlines.
Step 19: There is a plot outline.
Plot development can help give your book form and shape, even though you are writing non fiction.It can make it easier for you to organize your research materials in a way that is engaging and interesting for your reader.The plot of a story is what happens in the story.Something has to change or move in order to tell a story.Something or someone goes from point A to point B due to a variety of factors.The plot of any story is a sequence of events that attempt to solve a problem or attain a goal.If you are writing a memoir, the story goal is what your main character wants to achieve or solve.If the goal is not achieved, what will happen?If she doesn't solve the problem, what will happen to her?If the goal is not achieved, there will be a negative situation.Dramatic tension is created by the combination of goal and consequence.The plot is meaningful because of this.To achieve the goal, the requirements must be accomplished.Think of it as a list of events.The characters are getting closer to the goal as the requirements are met in the novel.A sense of anticipation is created in the reader's mind by requirements.
Step 20: The manuscript should be written.
You can start to write with the help of your research, writing schedule and plot outline.You can find a secluded spot in your home or studio.Put your phone away, turn off your internet, and tell everyone to leave you alone.Some writers don't revise the manuscript as they write to avoid getting stuck on a certain section or part and deviating away from their writing schedule.Every writer has their own process of writing.Look through your research if you find yourself in a writer's block.If you want to look over a section of your research that may be useful later in your book, you can use this time not to write.
Step 21: The passive voice can be avoided.
When you use the passive voice, your writing will be dull.There are signs of the passive voice in the manuscript by circling all the "is" "was" and other passive verbs.You can use the Hemingway app to count the number of passive sentences in your manuscript.Aim for 2% maximum.
Step 22: Unless absolutely necessary to use formal terms, stick to informal language.
You can use it instead of using it.Simple language has one or two syllable words.If you are using scientific terms or describing a technical process, you should only use higher level language.You should be writing for the average reader.It is possible to identify the ideal reader of your book.The grade level of your ideal reader can be used to determine the reading level.You should aim for a grade 6 or 7 reading level if you are a reader of the English language.You can write at a grade 8 or 9 level if you are writing for a higher education audience.The Hemingway app can be used to determine the reading level of your draft.
Step 23: The use of I should be kept to a minimum.
If it is in the third person, your audience will respond more to the process, event, or topic you are describing.Remove as many "I" sentences as possible.
Step 24: Don't tell.
If you want to engage your reader, you should show them a specific process or scene.A scene that shows the process of how to make a croissant, with details on how the baker prepares and rolls the dough on the table, will be more engaging than telling the reader: "This is how you prepare dough."It's a good idea to steer clear of adverbs in your writing.A sentence like: "When the baker saw the dough was rising too fast, he yanked open the oven door" shows the importance of the scene without having to use "suddenly" or "quickly".
Step 25: The manuscript should be read loud.
If you have friends, colleagues, and a writing group, find a few sympathetic ears and read sections of the manuscript out loud.Good writing should engage readers with details and descriptions that make them feel like they're in a movie.Don't try to impress your audience.It's a natural way to read.Listeners should give you a response after you finish reading.If there were sections that felt confusing, note them.
Step 26: The manuscript should be revised.
The manuscript needs to be edited before it can be sent to publishers.You might want to hire a professional proof reader to make sure the book is clean.Cut at least 20% of the material.It's possible to get rid of sections that are too long and cause the reader to stop reading.Don't be afraid to cut sections that may be deadweight.The power of the senses is used in each scene.Do you engage at least one of the reader's senses in each scene?Both fiction and nonfiction writers can use the power of the senses to keep the reader interested.Take a look at the timelines of the book.Do you explain the entire process of your topic?Do you explore your angle to the fullest extent?The process of making a croissant should be explained in a book.The level of the sentence.Are the transitions smooth or jumpy?If you notice any overused words, replace them with something else that doesn't feel redundant.