After 30 days of reading about writing and publishing nonfiction during the Write Nonfiction in November challenge, you might still wonder what special ingredient you need to create successful nonfiction books as well as articles, ebooks, and other information products. By “successful” I mean nonfiction that sells to readers and to publishers. You accomplish this feat by producing work that has authenticity, passion and purpose. Let me explain.
Authenticity
When you allow your writing to show your own authenticity, it becomes authentic. Writers are unique beings, each with their own personalities, characteristics, likes, dislikes, interests, passions, and sense of purpose. When they write from their hearts and show who they really are—what they care about, what they think about, what they feel—in such a way that other people can experience their essence, their writing develops an authenticity because they give voice to their own nature. So allow yourself to be who you really are through your writing. Don’t hold back. Don’t be afraid. Allow the world to really know you with each word you put on the page. Don’t hide behind your writing. Let your writing reveal you. This attracts publishers and readers, thus making your book or other written products to become successful.
Passion
In a similar manner, write of the subjects about which you feel passionate. Allow that passion to come through in your writing. When readers feel your passion through your prose, when you can elicit within them the same deep feelings you experience about your topic, they will want to continue reading your work—not just with one book or article but with anything you write or produce. Plus, you will have the easiest time convincing others the subjects about which you feel passionate are the ones worth their time, energy and money. In other words, you will be able to get readers and publishers to buy the articles or books or information products you produce on topics about which you have the highest degree of passion. Your energy will be contagious. They’ll “catch” your passion.
Purpose
If you feel you must pursue a writing project for some reason, it’s likely you will do so with energy, determination and perseverance. The sense that this work represents your purpose on some level will drive you to make the project successful no matter what, and, again, others will sense that energy and come along for the ride. They’ll want to help or to know why you feel so passionate about this topic; they’ll read what you’ve written—and then tell others about the book or about you. They’ll want to jump on board to help you with your cause. This ensures your success. A deep sense of soul purpose may not always attract a publisher, but it often attracts readers and always drives a writer to publish or complete a project. Coupled with passion it can produce a successful book, article or information product—one with many readers and a publisher. In fact, more often than not, passion and purpose go hand in hand (and produce success).
Authenticity+Passion+Purpose=Success
I recently attended a conference where I heard many acquisition editors from traditional publishing houses and literary agents discussing these three characteristics. When all the other big pieces of a book proposal (idea, promotion, platform, etc.) are in place, editors and agents alike choose the authors and books they take on based upon authenticity, passion and purpose.
With all the information you’ve gained this month, consider this:
- What topic do you feel most passionate about?
- What subject do you feel you must write about?
- What project keeps rising to the front of your mind asking to be completed because you have a sense of it being your purpose in life?
If you didn’t take on one of these projects in November, do so now. Write about it honestly, openly, passionately, and as authentically as you can. This will help your writing attract more readers and possibly a publisher, thereby making you more successful as a writer and as an author.
I hope you used these past 30 days during Write Nonfiction in November (WNFIN) 2010 well and finished at least one project you can now either send out for publication or polish up and publish in some way shape or form in the near future. Please let me know what you accomplished by visiting the WNFIN forum, by checking in to the WNFIN Facebook Page or simply by leaving a comment here.
Until next year, please find the same great information on writing and publishing nonfiction five days a week on Write Nonfiction NOW! The information from WNFIN stays up all year long. Feel free to peruse the archives. And, of course, contact me at any time for help reaching your potential by turning your passion and purpose into publishable products.
About the Author
Nina Amir is a speaker, author, editor, and writing and author coach, and the founder of Write Nonfiction in November. She has five blogs, including Write Nonfiction NOW, How to Blog a Book, My Son Can Dance, and As the Spirit Moves Me, and an on-line Examiner.com column, plus two of her blogs are carried at VibrantNation.com. She uses her 30+ years of experience in the publishing industry to help aspiring authors as well as all sorts of people reach their potential by turning their passion and purpose into publishable products and to navigate what can feel like the long and arduous path to getting published.
Join Nina’s mailing list and get a FREE special report (a $10 value), “What’s an Author’s Platform & How Do You Build One?” For more information on Nina’s products or services or to hire Nina as a coach, editor or speaker, visit CopyWright Communications.
Follow Nina on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
It’s never too late to sign in as a WNFIN participant here.
Log into the WNFIN and CopyWright Communications forums here, and participate all year long.
Check out the WNFIN Facebook page, and record the progress you made this moth there as well.
[…] publishers. You accomplish this feat by producing work that has authenticity, passion and purpose. Let me explain. (Read the whole post […]