Nonfiction Ink

Memoir: A History

Author, literary critic, and journalism professor Ben Yagoda traces the memoir from its beginnings in the fifth-century through modern-day 2007. He analyzes memoirs and autobiographies spanning numerous centuries and a variety of styles and subjects. He also examines historical trends affecting the genre, including an intriguing period when courtier dramas were popular (gentlemen who did not wish to be mentioned in the courtesan’s memoir were forced to pay the author a substantial fee for exclusion) and the current craze of pet memoirs – from dogs and cats to owls and parrots. The author’s main interest lies in the development of memoir over time and he addresses its enduring mass appeal as well as its constant controversy. Throughout this riveting book, Yagoda focuses on the idea of memory and truth and questions if, in fact, truth can ever be achieved. A compelling read for memoir writers.

Writers’ community sites and forums are excellent resources – they offer industry information, forum Q&As, and the opportunity to connect with other writers:

Red Room – a social media site for writers

Absolute Write – an online magazine for beginning and professional writers

AuthorLink – a source on the publishing world

Writing Room – several resources on the art of writing

AuthorNation – an online community for authors

Writing Forums – for message boards on every genre of writing

YOUR TURN: Have any of these community sites been beneficial for you? Do you have other resources you’d like to share?

In writing, “style” is the way you deliver your message – it’s the words you choose, the tone you use, and the way you structure sentences. Many successful practical-nonfiction books deliver their messages in a clear, concise, friendly, warm, and encouraging manner. Here are five ways to achieve a winning writing style:

1. Use Conversational Style
Write as if you were speaking to a good friend. Use informal, personal, casual words that create a comfortable trust and connect with the reader. Incorporate personal stories, anecdotes, and humor when appropriate.

2. Avoid Judgmental Language
A reader wants an author who understands and sympathizes with her problem – whether the reader needs to learn how to manage money, be a better parent, market her business, or lose 20 pounds. Avoid using judgmental stigmatizing language. Focus on what the reader can do to make good choices and improve her situation.

3. Be Reassuring and Positive
How-to and self-help readers often lack confidence. They may feel insecure about their ability to achieve the desired results. Keep your writing upbeat and optimistic. Reassure your readers that by using your program, techniques, instructions, method, or information they can reach their goals. Let them know it’s easy and many others “just like them” have achieved success. Always be supportive and create a sense of hope.

4. Address the Reader Directly
Personalize your sentences. Whenever possible, address the reader as “you.” Readers searching for answers and solutions to their problems want to hear about themselves – they want you to speak to “them” directly.

5. Keep It Simple
Clear and concise writing is the most effective. Keep your sentences short and simple – use words the average person can easily understand. Avoid technical terms when possible and always define words that may be new to the reader.

YOUR TURN: What are some of the techniques you use to create an engaging writing style?

With more than 300,000 new books published each year, every book needs help to find its market. Part of your job as an author is to market and promote your book.

Book marketing involves:

1. Defining your reader
What does your book offer readers? What distinguishes your book from others on the topic? Who would read your book?

2. Reaching your potential reader
Where are your potential readers? What magazines and newspapers do they read, where do they shop, which blogs do they visit, what television programs do they watch, which radio programs and podcasts do they listen to, and what social media sites do they frequent?

3. Developing a strategy to convince your potential readership to buy your book
The three main components of book marketing are advertising, promotions, and publicity. Advertising is expensive and not particularly effective for selling books. Promotions – such as discounts, promotional materials (postcards, bookmarks, etc.), and co-op funds offered to booksellers – are provided by your publisher if your book is traditionally published. If you are self-published, promotions are not essential for your marketing plan. Publicity is the most effective and least expensive form of book marketing.

Publicity – obtaining media coverage for your book – is like free advertsing. It adds legitimacy by way of a third-party endorsing your book. Garnering the right media coverage can have a valuable impact on book sales. Here are 7 ways to begin to effectively plan publicity for your book:

• Stay aware of current events to determine how your topic may be relevant and think of ways to pitch print, television, radio, and online media.
• Watch talk shows and news programs to determine how your book may appeal to a show’s producer
• Research publications and newspapers you can approach to author articles or a column
• Listen to radio programs (online and offline) and podcasts – to learn which hosts or shows may be interested in your subject or expertise
• Locate blogs that are synergistic with your topic and begin to comment on posts and create a relationship with the blogger
• Join LinkedIn, FaceBook, and Twitter groups that your potentials readers follow and begin to participate in the discussion and offer advice based on your expertise and subject matter.
• Make a list of print media that may be interested in excerpts (such as Top 10 lists or questionnaires) from your book

YOUR TURN: What are the ways you prepare to publicize your book?

An essential element of narrative nonfiction is creating a sense of place. The story must evoke the essence of the subject’s life and immerse the reader in his or her world. Your goal is to weave a sense of place into the narrative, not simply present a list of descriptive details. Here are seven research techniques to help you achieve this:

1. Review research material prior to visiting a location. Prepare for onsite location research by checking records, maps, historical documents and material related to your subject and place.

2. Quietly Observe the People and Surroundings. It’s not always necessary to ask questions and interview people. Often you can obtain important information by simply remaining quiet and observing the natural flow of events without interruption.

3. Live In Your Subject’s World. Dress as the locals dress, stay where they might stay, shop where they shop, and eat the foods they eat. It is easier to “locate” a story when you have experienced it. You can even take this “world” back home with you to help with your writing process by purchasing local items, for example buy a CD of a local musician’s music to listen to while you’re writing or a regional food item to enjoy.

4. Talk to the Locals. Wherever you are – a café for lunch, a hotel for the night, the filling station for gas, the coffee shop, or dime store – talk to the owners and other customers to gain insight into local perspectives, beliefs, and behavior.

5. Capture The Language. Record the language of the locals and your subject to effectively capture the syntax, slang, speech patterns, expressions and jargon of the area.

6. Read the Local Newspapers. Pick up the local and regional newspapers as well as the free zines provided at the mini-mart. You never know what intriguing and unique information you might glean from these papers.

7. Hang Out at the Community Hub. If you want to learn about the community, go where community members and leaders congregate. This may be the local church, the community center, or the downtown pub.