Compelling Non Fiction Book - Step by Step Guide

 All the steps for writing a normal book apply to Non Fiction as well. Points to be noted here are:

I. Doing the Homework first.

1) What is it that you are writing this book for? What do you want to achieve with this book?

• Define your clear purpose of the book
• What is the desired outcome of the book

2) Desired outcome of the book:

• Inspiration
• Motivation
• New Expertise/Skill development
• Self Improvement/learning
• Sharing Information

3) Understand the reader Psychology

• Non Fiction is all about the reader and what you have that an help your readers.

4) Know your target reader

• Demographic, Age group, location, Gender
• Reader Characteristic
• Fear - Internal/External
• Desire and Dream
• Problem
• Belief
• Why the reader will read you book
• Desperation
• Helplessness
• Frustration
• Curiosity

Once you know you will not the content of the book, and how you market it.

5) Consider your book as a conversation between you and the reader. - It is not a teases or research book. 

II. Study the market:

There are various sub-genres - who are you writing for and what exactly are you writing?

1. Memoir - collection of memories by the person themselves
2. Autobiography - personal, emotional and by self
3. Biography - someone else
4. Expository - reveals the truth and bring attention to important issues
5. Self-Help - Prescriptive - Non Fiction - Skill development , self help. 
6. Narrative Non Fiction - True story, encompasses thriller, interviews, essays - true facts

Read at least three books in your sub-genre. 

Framework, point of view, you will get idea.

III. Based on the sub-genre, decide the structure of your book

1. 3 Act structure - Conflict, confrontation and resolution: Setting context, explaining problem, fear, resolution
2. One story or multiple stories through out the book. Take them through your story
3. Based on sub-genre - you will know if it has to be one story or multiple story

Before you set out to write the story, have idea. Don't spent time in thinking, outline the book before you write. More exhaustive your outline, the better will be your book. 

IV. Outline your book:

1. Mindmap before you start.
2. Be clear on the word count - List of chapters and what you will be writing in each
3. You should have stories in the concept and not concept in the story.
4. Not just life experience but lot of research - steps to solve their problems - survey, stats. 

V. Write the book

1. Study scene, stories, dialogue, para writing
2. Keep the language simple and idea free flowing
3. Write the first draft faster

Interweave in non fiction - Personal story and Stats.  

Punch in stats after you write the book. You have to weave in and it should be relevant. 

Structure Your self help book:

1. Introduce yourself, why you are qualified, your story, your problem - Chapter 1
2. Introduce the problem, how your solution has helped so many people, with real life example - Chapter 2
3. Break solution into smaller steps. Zoom into each chapter step by step.
4. Summarise, connect the dots end with a positive note.

If your are unsure of the content of the book: research pain points, needs, topics available in net.

Assume your reader know nothing and your book is 1 - 0 - 1 for the reader. If you do this right you will have your reader till the end. 

Give action step to your reader in every chapter. Include exercises. 

Repeat and summarise - every chapter you are building on the base, and is the king in Non fiction. Do it in different way and different examples. It will sit in the readers head. 

Use relatable stuff always. 

VI. Point of view (POV)

• Memoir - 1st person POV
• Biography - 3rd person POV
• Autobiography - 1st person POV
• Self-Help - 1st/2nd/3rd person POV
• Expository - 3rd Person POV
• Narrative - 1st/ 3rd Person

25K to 28K words first draft don't restrict yourself with the number. After edit bring it to 20K to 23K words

Let chapter not be more than 10 to 12 maximum. Chapters are based on concepts. Logically end. Depending on the whole book count, it can be from 2K words. 

Book pages - depend on how you can give your outcome to the audience. 

Be passionate about your book, only then others will be passionate about it.