In recent years, I have become very interested in writing local history.
(Well, I have done quite some writing on my blog, which I have done on and off for more than 10 years, but writing local history requires a totally different set of skills, which I did not possess at the time.)
Today, I have become deeply interested in finding out how to write non-fiction books with value, are marketable, and can sell well. I'm thinking that if I can document my experiences in writing local history (i.e. non-fiction niche books), it would help others who are also setting out on a similar journey.
Many people I know have said that I am someone who is a natural teacher, who wants to share knowledge, and help others learn. It turns out that they may know me better than I know myself!
This series of posts is for the dreamers, the idealists, and the romantics, the ones who want to set out words on a page to share facts and knowledge.
These personal experiences and pains are from me to you; I hope they are instructive, if you are reading this, in search of writing a successful non-fiction book.
My backstory begins with a lot of discouragement, which I suppose everyone faces when they set out to do something different.
When I first started writing my very first book, many people, including my own father, scoffed at the idea.
No one is interested in reading, they said.
No one is interested in buying books, they said.
And no one is interested in local history, they said.
But as it turns out, while writing non-fiction books with value, are marketable, and can sell well is definitely a challenging and difficult journey, it is actually possible. I ended up writing not one, but two books, and two more are on the way now. I received some support from the government and private sector for my books, and I am deeply grateful for the support.
It's been an incredible journey.
You might have read many articles on how to write well, or even how to write a bestseller. Some are probably based on research, while others are based on real life, experiences, and first-hand knowledge.
This is based on my own personal experiences.
First, you must persevere. I did not give up when others told me that it was impossible to write a solid niche book which could sell. If I gave up the idea, the idea would have withered and died. I had to keep nurturing it, growing it, and developing it.
In a certain sense, if you want to write, you must stay motivated and persevere.
Keep at it.
Never give up.
Second, what is wrong with a niche?
There is nothing wrong with a niche. Focus on a niche.
In fact, marketer Seth Godin has written that if you could find 1,000 people who would be willing to be your fans and buy your products, you could make a decent living.
We sometimes spend too much time writing for everyone and everybody, that we write for nobody. A book which is too general interests no one.
If comprehensive, it would be boring and long; if concise, it would be too simple or introductory, and few would be interested.
Write instead for those who would value and respect your book. In other words, pick your niche carefully.
Third, write something newsworthy, meaningful, or significant.
What is an angle that is worth exploring?
What has not been said before?
This is a lot harder than it seems.
It might always seem that everything worth saying has been said before, but in both books I wrote (and even for my upcoming book), no one had ever written books on the exact same topics.
In doing so, I helped to shed light on facts and figures, characters and personalities, and places and hiding holes which had remained hidden, or were lost in the mists of time.
The first time one of my books was reported on in the press, I realised that the journalist was focusing on areas which were newsworthy, catchy, and novel. It made me realise that newsworthiness is quite central to writing non-fiction books.
Fourth, you must consult others.
The idea here is to seek views and feedback on your writing, rather than just living in your head.
In a certain sense, if you are an aspiring writer or even an experienced writer, and you are here reading this blog "Anything that Interests Me!" to learn about writing, you are seeking to improve your craft. You are on the right track, remaining humble to learn.
We are always works in progress, never finished, and never absolutely ready.
Ask others to provide input, edits, and comments to your work.
How's my writing?
How's my narrative?
How's my word choice?
Be humble and willing to take in views.
I know it's not easy. Each time someone has something negative to say about my books - my babies - I feel uncomfortable. It is challenging for me.
But I swallow my pride because I want my books to be well-considered, factual, and accurate. And I know in my heart that I do not know everything.
So it makes a lot of sense to consult others.
Fifth, you must learn to write like a marketer.
In this day and age, a book cannot or should not be too challenging for the average reader to understand; or be too academic; or be too challenging.
Instead, it should use short, punchy, and evocative sentences.
It should be written to inform (and hopefully amuse, inspire, educate, entertain, and delight).
You can only do that if you know that you are writing like a marketer, addressing your target audience.
This sounds like pure common sense but you would be amazed at how many people write and write and write without considering the end-users, the readers.
Write like a marketer does - targeted at a specific target audience, reaching out to engage their hearts and minds.
More posts to come on the lessons I have learnt from writing and marketing my books... stay tuned!
Anything that interests me! on writing
