How to Write Non-Fiction: Can I write a book if I’m not an expert?
“There’s no one in the world who can do what you can do, who can think and see the way you do, who can create what you can create.”
—Barbara Sher, I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was
I surveyed my audience at The Creative Penn to prepare for the first edition of this book and asked, “What is stopping you from writing?”
Over half of the respondents listed some variation of self-doubt and imposter syndrome around whether they would be qualified to write a book. Here are some of their comments:
• Can I write on a topic that I’m not an expert in? I sometimes feel like a fraud.
• I don’t have the authority to write non-fiction.
• I’m not an expert in this field. What right do I have to write this book?
• Do I need a PhD to be taken seriously?
• I don’t have the expertise or experience to be an authority on this topic.
• Should I write the book even if I’m not an established professional in my field?
• I have 30 years’ experience, but regardless of how much experience I have, self-doubt stops me from writing.
If you feel this way, consider the following.
You can help people wherever you are on the journey
You might have noticed that I am not Malcolm Gladwell… or Elizabeth Gilbert… or any of the other famous name brand non-fiction writers you might list.
But I have written multiple non-fiction books on different topics as well as an award-winning memoir, so I have experience in the topic of this book.
I don’t have any formal qualifications in writing or publishing, but I can share my journey and what I’ve learned along the way in the hope it helps you.
Perhaps you will even find my experience and advice more relevant because I’m not famous, as I’m nearer to where you are on your author journey. Perhaps something I say will touch you or help you or inspire you, so this book will be value enough.
In the same way, you can write a book based on where you are on the journey. Your experience is valuable, and if you share it, you will help others along the way.
“You are not the only one who feels lost, broken, desperate, joyful, wildly hopeful, yearning or seeking… and you can reassure others who feel the same way.”
—SARK, Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper
It’s not about you
Of course, the book is all about you in that you’re writing based on your experience. But on another level, the book is not about you at all.
When it goes out into the world, the book is all about the reader.
People read to improve their lives or change direction, to learn something, or to escape their life for a while. The author of the book is a conduit to the reader’s transformation.
I read a lot of non-fiction books as part of researching my fiction as J.F. Penn, as well as business, finance, and travel. I read for the nuggets of information and inspiration I can glean, and often, I don’t remember the author afterwards. I don’t have to, because I’ve taken what I needed from the book.
Of course, there are some authors who I remember and whose other books I seek out because something resonated with me, but that’s certainly not every book I read.
Perhaps when those authors were writing, they obsessed about their lack of credentials, but as a reader, as long as the book delivers on its promise, I’m happy.
Your experience and worldview are valuable
Some writers worry that their book has to be objectively true and correct in every way, and since that’s impossible, they never finish the book.
Of course, this will depend on the book you’re intending to write. Part 2 includes more on the importance of research, best practices for citations, and legal issues around using quotes and copyright material. But don’t let these things paralyse you before you even start.
In The Healthy Writer, my co-author, Dr Euan Lawson, included medical studies in peer-reviewed journals to back up his suggestions for healthy practices, but it was our personal anecdotes that affected people the most.
This book is not the definitive guide to writing non-fiction. It can’t be, because there are as many ways to write as there are writers and all have a different take on the subject. But this book is based on my opinion and experience, and hopefully will help you in some way.
Your vulnerability and authenticity will touch people
“The moment that you feel, just possibly, you are walking down the street naked, exposing too much of your heart and your mind, and what exists on the inside, showing too much of yourself… That is the moment you might be starting to get it right.”
—Neil Gaiman, Make Good Art
Another common response in the original survey was, “Why would people be interested in me?”
To revisit what I noted above, it’s (mostly) not about you.
Readers pick up books primarily for their own benefit, not yours.
But once they pick the book up, you have a chance to touch people with your story. Emotion and heart will win over perfect factual prose every time.
We are all flawed, and our life stories are filled with mistakes and wrong turns, heartache and (hopefully) moments of triumph and joy.
Share those within the useful tips and transformative information and the reader will end up being interested in you, whoever you are.
You don’t have to be a ‘great writer’ to write a great book
You don’t need a degree in writing to be a writer. I don’t have one and I’m doing okay!
You don’t need a college education at all to write a book that helps people and resonates with them.
You don’t need to be perfect with your grammar. You can hire an editor for that.
You don’t need to be the top expert in a field to write about something based on your experience. Dictionary.com notes that an expert is “a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field.” You wouldn’t be writing a book without some knowledge and experience.
Language is powerful, and our own beliefs about certain labels can limit our potential. You can either go get more degrees and more years of experience, or you can write from where you are now.
Be useful, be inspiring, be entertaining, be genuine, and the reader will forgive any foibles in writing.
“Now to have things alive and interesting, it must be personal, it must come from the ‘I’: what I know and feel. For that is the only great and interesting thing. That is the only truth you know, that nobody else does.”
—Brenda Ueland, If You Want to Write
You have permission to share your truth
If you’re waiting for someone to anoint you with the writer stick, then here you are. You have permission to write your book.
Don’t dream of what might be. Get over yourself, go forth, and write!
Questions:
• What’s stopping you from writing your book?
• If you think you “need to be an expert,” then how do you define an expert? How can you become one so you satisfy your own definition?
• Is it possible that other people might call you an expert if you share your journey?
• What do you know or understand or feel about your topic that no one else does?
Resources:
• Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper: Gifting the World with Your Words and Stories, and Creating the Time and Energy to Actually Do It — SARK
• If You Want To Write: A Book About Art, Independence and Spirit — Brenda Ueland
• Make Good Art — Neil Gaiman
• I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It — Barbara Sher
