WHAT'S YOUR NONFICTION CATEGORY & TOPIC?

Logically, "nonfiction" refers to that which is factual.

The judge wants to hear nonfiction, not fiction from the witness stand.

But generally a writer is referring to the kind of information (topic) and how it will be presented. A book about birdhouses might be image-dense with color photos or an instructional "How To Build a Birdhouse" book.

So just in case you're bouncing around your office with way too many ideas or pawing the ground for anything AT ALL, allow me to suggest...

PRACTICAL STRUCTURE

* How To Build a Birdhouse

* Fermented Vegetable Recipes

* Vegan Nutrition

* Patio Pot Gardening

* What You'll Need to Live on Your Own

* Naming Your Computer Files So You Can Find Them Later!

* Maximizing Profit from Your Own Comb Binding Machine

INFORMATIONAL

Today's Google makes research simple now. Between your own experience and the information from serveral *reliable* websites, your writing can shine with wisdom, practicality and smiles~

* The History of Ferris Wheels

* The Fur Traders on the Mid-Mississippi

* Preparing Your Child for Pre-School

* Make Your Garage Sale SPECIAL!

* Everyday Budget ($$$) Savers

Yes, there's overlap between Practical Structure and Informational. But like everything in this business, it's all in how you present it!

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My book "The Many Faces of Journaling: Topics & Techniques of Personal Journal Writing" is packed with information on how to boost the quality of writing content -- useful for the professional writer as well as the personal journaler!

Happy Writing!

NEXT TIME: Personal Experience Books

Deciding What to Write About

Scanning bookstore shelves provides only a hint of the virtually endless nonfiction topics of books available - from Mayan calendars to missile defense, camping to cantatas, wrestling to Richard Rogers. That fact can muddle the mind of an author who's trying to decide on the topic of his or her next book.

Key ~ be sure you have the credentials and feel a genuine passion for your chosen topic. Without the first, book promotion will be tough. Absent the passion, and the writing will be boring and flat.

However, even if you've decided on the subject for your book, you'll need to decide what you want to tell your readers about your topic. (If you have the passion and depth of knowledge, you may cover different aspects in separate books!) Does one of these approaches resonate with you?

* How-To
How-To Build a Sand Castle;
How-To Create Edible Decorations;
How-To Please Anyone, Anywhere, Any Time.

* Learn from my Experiences
Setting Up a Referral Business;
Making Peace with Diabetes;
Legal Indoor Gardening.

* Learn from my Mistakes
How Not to Raise Creative Children;
Job Interview Comments to Avoid;
Don't Tie-Dye the Dog!

* Informational
Practical Divorce Guidelines;
Locating In-Home Help for Seniors;
The Nature Festivals of the Tropics.

Self Help ~ Cooking ~ Business ~ Relationships ~ Sports ~ Ecology ~ Chemistry ~ Humor ~ Entertainment ... the list goes on and on.

So before you start jotting down the points you want to cover in the book, write "Topic ... Approach ... Credentials" in bold across the top of the first notebook page. Then pause and visualize your reader. From those, the passion and words will flow!

Linda
nonfiction book coach ~ author