Nonfiction Ink

Now that you’ve designed a writing schedule, gathered and organized all your research, prepared a theme or thesis statement to keep you focused, and created a detail chapter-by-chapter outline, you’re ready to start writing the book. Your book sections, chapters, topic headings, sub-headings, and sub-sub categories are all laid out in your manuscript document like a roadmap allowing you to follow them — topic-by-topic, point-by-point — and write the content in focused, manageable chunks.

THE OPENING
You want to capture the reader’s interest with an engaging opening that entices him to continue turning the pages. Here are 12 techniques (with samples) for beginning your nonfiction book:

Part 1 – Overview of methods and how to select the opening that’s right for your book

Part 2 – Anecdotes, case studies, quotations, descriptive, and narrative leads

Part 3 – One-line hook, statistical information, thematic lead, question, and comparison

Part 4 – Addressing the reader directly, journalistic lead, factual, and summary opening

If you’re still feeling challenged with your opening, here are a few more tips:

1. Think about why your idea is important and convey to readers how they will benefit from reading your book.

2. Connect with your reader by identifying a shared experience or view that ties into your theme (“Do you remember how you felt when you first learned to drive – the thrill, the exhilaration, the sense of impending freedom…..”)

3. Consider if there is any background information you could share about your idea that would engage readers.

4. There is no rule that you have to write in chronological order. Proceed to other topics and come back to your opening later.

YOUR TURN: How did you select the best opening for your latest book?

Need assistance or guidance completing your book project? I offer comprehensive writing, editing, and coaching services to get your book done and land a book deal.  Want to learn how to write a nonfiction book, develop a book proposal, or establish your author platform? I’m committed to helping you achieve your writing goals. My online writing classes provide a focused structure and assignments that produce tangible results.

Related posts:

1. 12 Techniques For Beginning Your Nonfiction Book (Part 1)
2. 12 Techniques For Beginning Your Nonfiction Book (Part 4)
3. Preparing To Write Your Book: Focus Your Idea With A Theme Statement
4. 12 Techniques for Beginning Your Nonfiction Book (Part 3)
5. 12 Techniques For Beginning Your Nonfiction Book (Part 2)

Tags: leads, writing a nonfiction book

 Print This Post

 Digg This Post |  Save to del.icio.us |  Share on Facebook |  Tweet This |  Stumble This |  Subscribe by RSS