Note that the question is “should you write a non-fiction book, “no”I might You write a non-fiction book.” The reason is that I sincerely believe that everyone has a story to tell or knowledge to share that could benefit others. Also, as the author of several non-fiction books, I have learned that Although the process of writing and publishing a book can be time-consuming, it is not complicated and can actually offer many benefits.
Nonfiction writers, in particular, serve to provide useful information and instruction to readers. Sharing your knowledge is a service by which you can touch the lives of others. By reading your work, readers can expand their knowledge and experience. This, in turn, can help them develop skills that will help improve the quality of their lives. Thus, by writing, you can help others grow.
In addition to the potential benefits to readers, an author can also benefit. Writing a book can be a cathartic experience. This is especially true if what you are writing revolves around your own personal experiences. Reviewing and revising your own experience from an author’s (or reader’s) perspective, can serve to help resolve issues associated with that experience. Beyond those benefits, writing a book can help solidify your expertise on a particular topic, it can also help build your brand and name recognition, and it can also become a passive income stream. So, whatever your reason for writing a nonfiction book, it’s likely to be beneficial to you, the author, as well as your readers.
So, what are you waiting for? As someone who coaches new and aspiring authors through the process of writing a book, I can tell you that the reasons those considering writing a book often put off doing so revolve around one of three issues:
- They don’t know where or how to start.
- They lack confidence in their own skills and abilities.
- They are afraid of being judged by others.
Regarding the former, my advice is to just start. Start by educating yourself on what the process entails: do research, read books, join writing groups, find a mentor or coach, attend workshops, take online courses, and just start writing. You’ll learn as you go that it takes time, but it’s not hard to do. Regarding the second, I like to remind writers that we are our own worst critics and whatever you think your challenges are, you can find a way to overcome them. Finally, regarding the third, it is important to remember that others may judge you no matter what you choose to do. If you’re really passionate about the idea of writing a book, you owe it to yourself to pursue it. It is not what others think, but what you think that matters most. So, if what you want to do is write a non-fiction book, then go ahead and keep writing.