Do You Want to be a Non-Fiction Writer?

Are you a non-fiction writer?  What is non-fiction.  Well, non fiction is writing what actually happened, no melodrama here, just the facts.

What does that mean for the writer?  Well, it means simply that the writer has to do some research and get the facts correct. Quotes from other people must be direct quotes,not anything added to what the person said.

Questions must be phrased in such a way as there is no innuendo. Just the facts, but these must be true.

When a non fiction writer does a piece, it has to reflect no personal feelings. The writer cannot be bias in any way, just the facts. No opinion of the writer must be expressed.

Non-fiction is perhaps the most difficult pieces to write. It leaves the writer open for verbal attacks and sometimes legal action. That is why it is so important that the writer get the facts straight and the way they were presented to him.

Research is a key factor. Internet findings, though helpful, are not always reliable. If you get it from the net, always get a few others to back up the net information. Remember the net is written by people who sometimes want to paint a picture, even though it may not be a true picture.

If you are interviewing people, interview several people who are in the know. Compare their findings, and if you are not happy with the results, look for more to collaborate the facts that you have. Never take chances on wrong information, for it could cause you some trouble down the road.

When you are a non fiction writer, you are a detective.  You are looking for the facts to tie into your story. You are the one flushing out the clues to make a true story.

Your reputation is on the line when you write non fiction. One article that contains half truths could ruin your creditability. Writers need to have thier names in the public eye. That is their best advertisement. Do twenty articles and have one that is not true, and people forget about the twenty that you were right on.

Enjoy non fiction writing, but be careful to get the facts, just the facts.