The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

nonfiction

How to Outline a Nonfiction Book

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Scrivener cork board outline

When I hear the word outline, I’m back in grade school laboring through
I.
A.
B.
II.
III.

Is that what comes to mind for you when someone starts talking outlines.

But that’s not what you need to do!

Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged Online Dictionary gives these definitions of outline: “the principal features or general principles of a subject of discussion; a summary giving the essential content of a written work.”

So when I say, outline your book, I simply mean jot down the main content you plan to cover. Bullet points will do.

The concept behind outlining is to help you take command of your topic and organize the information in a manner suited to your audience. Otherwise you might end up with a book that includes everything but the Mad Hatter’s top hat.

Let’s take a closer look.

[Read more…] about How to Outline a Nonfiction Book

Structuring Nonfiction

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structuring nonfiction

Last month we looked at structuring your fiction story. This month we’ll look at structuring nonfiction.

While nonfiction has no plot, you still must ensure that your topic flows in an organized manner from beginning to end.

Does your subject matter fit a chronological arrangement? Perhaps it better fits a topical structure or even a step-by-step flow. Maybe there are overall themes that serve as sections/parts for your book and specific topics that fit under each theme.

[Read more…] about Structuring Nonfiction

A Checklist of 6 Basic Steps for Self-Editing Nonfiction

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self-editing red penBased on the nonfiction submissions I get for freelance editing and those I receive at CrossRiver Media Group, it seems as though a lot of people are writing nonfiction these days.

People read fiction for varying reasons, though entertainment leads the list.

However, I doubt most people read nonfiction for [Read more…] about A Checklist of 6 Basic Steps for Self-Editing Nonfiction

How the Hero’s Story Goal Equates to Nonfiction

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mountain with rainbow story goalLast week I discussed the hero’s story goal in fiction, but if you write nonfiction, especially self-help, you may feel a story goal doesn’t relate to your book.

But story goals do relate to nonfiction in a way many people don’t realize.

People read nonfiction for various reasons, sometimes for the sheer entertainment, but often to learn and grow in a particular area.

More often than I can count, I’ve heard, “God has given me a book to write,” from my blog readers and from writers at conferences.

God has given you a message to share that will help others.

In writing that kind of nonfiction, the hero of your book is your target reader! They want to… [Read more…] about How the Hero’s Story Goal Equates to Nonfiction

I have a message to share, but where do I start?

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Getting your message organizedMany of us write because we believe we have a message God wants us to share. In fact, our first book is often about lessons learned from a personal experience that we believe will help others. We want to convey information that will help others navigate and conquer a similar problem.

That was certainly the case for my first book, Help! My Husband Has Sexually Abused Our Daughter (updated, revised, and retitled Carried by Grace in 2014). [Read more…] about I have a message to share, but where do I start?

Elaine Marie Cooper & Bethany’s Calendar

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I’m excited to have award-winning author Elaine Marie Cooper with us today, and I have a surprise for you at the end. Be sure to keep reading.

Author Elaine Marie CooperElaine is the author of 5 books. Her most recent historical fiction, Fields of the Fatherless, has won 3 awards: 2014 Selah Award, YA Fiction; 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Award, Best Religious Fiction; and 2014 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, Best YA Religious Fiction. The Promise of Deer Run, book 2 of her Deer Run saga is a Los Angeles Book Festival Winner and was a ForeWord Book of the Year Award finalist.

Elaine knows how to captivate her readers! [Read more…] about Elaine Marie Cooper & Bethany’s Calendar