I always think I don't have any more books in me.
But, it never fails, when the one I am working on is finished and has been sent out, another idea comes to me.
I have had two inspirations since finishing my last MG. One is an idea for another MG story, the other is writing a non-fiction children's book.
I have been doing a little research on how to make non-fiction interesting, fun and publishable.
Here are a few things I have discovered:
Make it as exciting as fiction. How?
Brainstorm!
Find subjects that grab a reader's attention.
Ask yourself - Is it a good story? Will it interest your readers?
Find a hook! Choose a theme and develop it.
Narrow your topic. Focus on your subject.
Unearth new information about a topic.
Find unusual details and quirky facts.
Ask questions that haven't been asked before.
Give specific details.
Every word should be true. Find trusted sources, such as a diary, a letter, oral history, interviews, old newspapers, photographs and catalogs.
If you don't know exactly what they did or said, let your readers know that by using words such as perhaps, maybe or I think.
Do extensive research.
Bring your readers into the story.
Revise.
What can you add to my list?
If we brainstorm, we could help each other come up with some great ideas!
Posted byJanet Smart on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch.
