Crafting a Concise and Engaging Non-Fiction Book: Tips for Authors

As an aspiring non-fiction author, you may find yourself struggling with a common challenge: explaining concepts with detailed, yet often confusing, descriptions. Your manuscript may begin to feel like a long, jumbled snoozer for the reader. But fear not! Here are some effective editing techniques and guidelines to help you streamline your writing and create an engaging, concise non-fiction book.

1. Set Yourself a Structure

One of the main reasons authors get lost in their writing is a lack of a clear structure. Without a plan, your book can become overly long and jumbled. Here’s how to set yourself a solid structure:

Write a plan of the book’s key messages and goals: Before you start writing, jot down the main ideas and what you hope to achieve with your book. Brainstorm the subjects you’re going to cover: Think about the topics that are essential to your book and how they interrelate. Create an outline: Organize the topics in the order that the reader should learn them. Each section should flow logically from one to the next. Add subheadings: Make it easier to stay on topic and avoid tangential digressions. Forcing yourself to write within these subheadings will help you stay focused.

2. The Minimal Viable Product Approach

To prevent your book from becoming overly detailed and overwhelming, consider the following:

Set up a word count: Limit yourself to a strict word count for the entire book, each chapter, and each section. This will force you to be more concise. Ask yourself: What is the minimal viable idea for the book? How much information does the reader really need to know?

By setting these limits, you can ensure that every word you write serves a purpose and adds value to the reader's experience.

3. Continuous Self-Reflection

As you write, keep the following questions in mind:

Is every word, sentence, paragraph, or section vital for the key messages and ideas of the book? Are there any tangents or unnecessary details that can be cut?

To help you reduce sentence length, try an exercise: take a sentence you’ve written and keep cutting it until it’s boiled down to the essential idea.

4. Highlight the Key Parts

Once you’ve written a section, use a highlighter to emphasize the essential parts. Ask yourself:

What are the things that the reader absolutely needs to know to move on? Is most of the section redundant?

This exercise will help you identify unnecessary content and focus on the most important information.

By regularly applying these techniques, you can improve your writing skills over time and create a concise, engaging non-fiction book. Good luck on your writing journey! If you ever feel stuck, consider getting an editor to help guide you further.