Know Your Topic
Don’t: Write about a topic you don’t fully understand
Writing nonfiction requires a good deal of expertise because making up facts is not as acceptable as it is in fiction (though there are exceptions, such as hypothetical examples). The internet, social media, and the self-publishing industry now provide easy platforms for anyone to write about anything, which often results in widespread misinformation. Not that there’s anything wrong with blogging or self-publishing, but please make sure you know what you’re talking about. Just because you can publish something doesn’t mean you should.
Do: Research your topic
Credibility is extremely important for nonfiction authors. If readers don’t believe you are qualified to address your topic, they probably won’t even read your writing. They certainly won’t engage with the information in the way you intend. There are a number of ways to make your writing sound more credible. However, the most important step is to ensure that your writing actually is credible.
The amount of research necessary will vary greatly depending on your topic. Writing a news story for your local paper may require only a couple interviews, while writing an article for an academic journal probably requires having an advanced degree in the subject. You should have most of your research done before even starting on an outline. But don’t be surprised or concerned if you have to pause midway through to further research some point. As Joseph Joubert said, “To teach is to learn twice over.” Learn before you teach. Then expect to learn again as you teach.
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