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Non-fiction

© Sue Reichard

Most people think of children's non-fiction as dry, boring textbook material. This is far from fact. Non-fiction today is informal, fast-paced and entertaining. Many children will read only non-fiction and some even read non-fiction for fun! Many times, non-fiction books may lure a reluctant reader into a book. Non-fiction books are usually highly visual and some children love to browse through a book by just reading the captions on interesting pictures.

Non-fiction books are being aimed at younger and younger children. Children of all ages need non-fiction to have a well-balanced "diet." More than ever before, non-fiction books are becoming a staple in the classroom. Teachers often turn to trade books as supplements to many of the content area subjects.

Many writers have a great fear of writing non-fiction. A writer does not have to be an expert in any field to write about it. Good writers also know non-fiction must be researched to be accurate and to offer the reader a depth of information. This part may not appeal to many writers, but learning about something new can only be beneficial.

The one skill a writer does have that can make a non-fiction book a book and not just an encyclopedia, is the ability to transform mountains of information into a beautiful work of prose. This is the main challenge of the non-fiction writer.

Choosing a topic can seem like a daunting task. Consider your own hobbies and interests. Perhaps you know someone who has an interestng or unusual profession. Is there a particular topic you have always been interested in? Maybe there is a sport you love or would love to know more about. Let these topics be a starting place.

After you have chosen a topic, you must narrow that topic down to a manageable size and scope. For example, if you choose dogs as your topic, you could narrow the topic to dogs who work for a living, or small dogs or hunting dogs.

The writer must also choose a specific age group you want to write for. Your content and vocabulary choices will be guided by your age range. Does all this sound as if its beginning to get complicated? Simply look at examples of work already produced. Note the age group, the vocabulary and other features of these works. It is always a good idea to check the marketplace to see what subjects have been recently published.

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