Uncomfortable Questions to Ask Before You Write Your First Nonfiction Book

A book with a valuable message can feed a specific hunger held by thousands of readers for generations to come. It can be a medium of information that adds longevity to the most valuable products of its author's life, even long after they are gone. So, if you think you desire to write and publish, you must ask yourself what your book will do that no other book already does. You must inquire about the reasons behind your desire and whether they are strong enough to bring order out of the chaos of your still-unprocessed thoughts.

Is the content of your book unique?

It's possible you've had some special life experiences that the world would love to hear about. But that's not always the case. Few people come up with wholly original ideas to communicate. Most just rework and popularize earlier ideas, connecting them in ways few before they have done. What novelty do you think you can add to humanity's encyclopedia of knowledge? If you know the standards set by the other books on your subject, you can improve on them or combine them into some kind of novel structure.

Are your tone and presentation more effective than those of other authors?

Delivery can count for more than complexity or profundity. Different authors can convey the same information in distinct ways. Each approach will have a different type of influence. No two readers have the exact same background, personality, or goals. Some minds prefer numbers and diagrams, while others may learn best through humor, drama, or long-winded diatribes. Superior arrangement and style improve upon the works of giants before you. Through better framing, you will make the past more accessible to a wider range of readers.

Why are you inspired to bring your message to the world?

Because writing a quality book is a major endeavor, your motivation matters. You will need the wherewithal to see the writing and publishing process to completion. If your heart isn't in it, you will grow to resent your book for the demands it places on your time, mind, and finances. You may lose the strength to finish. An inspired message will be worth the effort it requires.

Who needs to read your message and why?

A great book is one that answers questions aching for resolution. The inability to find these answers can lead to everyday practical problems or lifelong struggles. Your book can offer an end to someone's malaise. The goal should not be to have everyone on Earth read your book but to reach those readers who will receive the full intended value because they need your insight. The better you understand your message, the easier it will be to envision who will get the most from it.

Will you still want to write your book if it makes little money?

When I got started, I had no way of knowing that what I spent countless hours writing would ever turn a profit. I wrote because I had something to say. Now I know that effective marketplace positioning can turn a decent book into sustainable passive income. However, a book written with revenue as its only goal will sacrifice its integrity. Decide where your priority lies and your purpose for writing. Commercial success will supplement the existential reward of communicating your knowledge and ideals.

How will your book change people?

The worth of all creative endeavors can be measured by their influence. Some authors set out to overhaul the way a reader perceives a topic. Some books plant seeds of thought that take time to germinate in new minds. Your book might outline a method by which to change the reader's actions, offering a series of gentle suggestions for improvement. The most rewarding part of authorship for me has been seeing how my words have affected some readers, a portion of which have even felt inclined to reach out and let me know what my books meant to them.

How will your book entertain readers?

Even if you think your message is strictly informative, its transmission depends on engagement. No one can absorb information perfectly. You must make it easy for your readers to consume hundreds of pages without losing interest. Each page represents time a reader could have spent on another activity, so work to earn every ounce of your readers' attention by stoking curiosity, evoking empathy, and infusing wit and passion. This is part of why delivery and personality are so important to effective nonfiction. But still, many aspiring authors try to present their knowledge in a vacuum, totally detached from who they are.

Are you prepared to earnestly promote your book?

Being a self-published author means much more than just being a writer. Promotion doesn't require experience in sales or marketing (though it helps). What you need is an earnest willingness to tell people why your book is worth buying and reading. You need to believe this proposition at your core. Do not be content to put the message out there and hope for the best. Own its presentation and promotion. Know there are people who need to read it, as it could cure a specific ailment they carry. If you care enough to write down what you know, it follows that you should also care enough to talk about it. 

About the Author

Gregory V. Diehl is the founder of Identity Publications and author of several popular nonfiction books on business and personal development. His book The Influential Author is a lengthy, in-depth guide to crafting and publishing meaningful nonfiction books at or beyond the standards expected from traditional publishing.