How to Get Ideas to Write a Nonfiction Book

If you ask a nonfiction author what question theyJust as an example, let's say Martial Arts came up
get the most, the answer will inevitably be "Howas one of your passions.
to get ideas to write a nonfiction book?"The next step is to determine if that niche is
And it's probably the most difficult question toviable. Would it make a good market? Try
answer... and the easiest.Amazon first. Are there any books on that
The reason it's both easy and hard to answer issubject currently? Go to a local bookstore. Are
that ideas are in the ether. They're every wherethere any magazines on that topic? Try to put
around you. They pop up in your mind. Theythe starred topics into a size order.
show up when you're reading. They show upSo to extend our example, let's say you find that
when you're watching television or reading theKarate has several magazines but Judo doesn't.
newspaper.That probably means that you should focus on
The problem is really how to get ideas to write aKarate rather than Judo.
nonfiction book when you want them. In thisSo now you've got a general subject area and
article I'm going to show you a technique to findyou know there is a market for your subject.
ideas when you need them not when they wantFrom now on your nonfiction books will all be in
to show up.that area. Now, in fact, you can have several of
First off there are two ideas involved with athese niches but you probably will want to use a
nonfiction book.pseudonym for each.
The first is the generic topic that is beingNow all you need to do is find out what people
discussed. This corresponds to a niche inare afraid of in that niche and what problems
marketing terms. It defines who you are writingthey are experiencing. You can do that by
for and what you are writing about in genericresearching. Go where they are and listen in. Pick
terms. Frequently you will find most of yourup some magazines and read the letters to the
nonfiction books will be in this or a very smalleditor and the advice columns. Spend the day in
collection of these niches. In fact, many authorsthe library and make a list of all the articles in the
use pen names when writing in different niches.last year. Go to the forums on that subject. What
The second level of idea is the specific idea thatquestions are being asked by the newbies and the
gives rise to this particular book. Generally, itexperienced? What comments are being made
refers to a single problem or group of problemsthat indicate a problem or a pain point?
which is solved by the niche you write in.For example you might find that Karate people
Let's start with the most generic idea. How doare afraid of injuries. Or they are wondering how
you decide what topic you will use as your niche?to choose a sensei.
The answer is that you need to find one that isThat's how to get ideas to write a nonfiction
both a passion to you and a viable market.book. All you need to do now is to figure out a
One way to generate that idea is to start fromsolution to the problem. How can Karate people
your interests. Make a list of your interests. Areavoid injury? Write a book with the title: Warm
you interested in Cars? In Sailing? In Houses?Up Right! How To Avoid Injury And Improve
What do you do for a living now? Are youYour Katas. Or figure out how to choose the right
interested in helping people? In eating? In goodsensei for you. Then write a book with the title:
food? In health? In disability topics? When youHai Sensei! Finding the Dojo That Works For You.
finish you should have a list which is much longerThat's how to get ideas to write a nonfiction
than you realized.book. Find a passion that has a viable market. Find
Now go through that list and identify those thattheir biggest pain point or problem. Find a way to
you either have a passion about or that you couldsolve the problem and write about it.
develop a passion for. Mark them with a star.