Writing nonfiction

Writing Nonfiction Larry K. & Lorna Collins

What is Nonfiction?Three types: 1 How to 2 Informational 3 Narrative nonfiction (Biography, memoir, true story, etc.)

Where Do You Start? Gather information Take notes Organize Follow the rules

Rule # 1 Write What You Know It’s a cliché for a reason! If you don’t believe it, no one else will either Research what you don’t know

Rule #2 Write What You Love If you have no passion for your subject, how can you expect your readers to care? Without passion, the writing will take a LONG time, and the reading even longer!

Rule #3 Be an Expert Why should anyone want to read your book? What makes you an authority?

Rule #4 Do Your Homework! Make sure your facts are accurate The one thing you get wrong is the only thing your reader will remember

Rule #5 Determine Your POV Take a stance and be consistent Support your position

Rule #6 What Makes Your Book Special? What is unique about your book? What books are similar, and where are the differences?

Rule #7 Add Humor Even the most serious subject will benefit by the addition of humor Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself

Rule #8 Know Your Market Who is your target audience? Why will they want to read your book?

Rule #9 Know Why People Read Those who want to FEEL read novels – Fiction transmits EMOTION Those who want to LEARN read nonfiction – Nonfiction transmits FACTS Even with nonfiction, give your reader an emotional connection

Rule #10 It May Be All About You But Don’t Be Self-absorbed Even memoir & autobiography contain other people Look beyond your expertise and interest

Rule #11 Write, Don’t Whine! Tell an interesting story, but don’t feel sorry for yourself Lead your readers to the emotions, don’t spoon- feed them Allow readers the ability to draw conclusions

Rule #12 Give Credit Attribute all material from other sources Know the copyright rules When in doubt, don’t!

Rule #13 Write it Well! No one wants to read a badly-written book Edit, Edit, Edit Get the mechanics right Be concise and specific

Rule #14 Write a Great Proposal! Why should your book be published? What are you willing to do to promote it? Why will people want to read it?

And Last…Write it!

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Writing nonfiction

by gerbera_ol on May 29, 2011

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Writing nonfiction — Presentation Transcript