Writing Non-Fiction

Writing non-fiction can be a lot harder for some writers, though many people think it is easier than fiction. Depending on whether you have an active imagination, fiction can flow out, be edited later and structured within an outline. An outline is important for two reasons: to structure your story, the "shell" of your book, and if you are having trouble "free-writing," as in writing the thoughts as they flow in the right direction without an outline, but in a structured basis of unfolding events that takes place throughout your story. With non-fiction, one needs to do a lot of research, and the research needs to be totally accurate. What helps non-fiction writers, is simple. You have to have an interest in the subject matter you are writing about. When I wrote my guidebook Antiquing In Florida, I was totally into antiquing, and had just moved to Florida from New York. The atmosphere was amazing, and I was all about exploring my new state. Just around this time Highwaymen Art started to become popular, and I loved the African American lost folk art form that was becoming Florida's new discovered treasure. I decided it would be great to incorporate the antique shops that sold this popular art, and that could be my hook for promoting and selling my book, along with the rest of the antique districts and merchandise available. I wanted to make my book different, and being from a literary background, I was influenced by the writers who did their own thing, like Jack Kerouac, and countless others who had a voice in literature when it still mattered. So I wrote the book like a journal of my travels, talking about the city, the history, but structured it in a guidebook format. Well my idea worked, and people really liked the book. So if you have something you are passionate about, know how to write, and can find a market for it, go for it. Don't worry about finding publishers, just write. The Internet has done a lot for writers, so the time for creativity couldn't be better!