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The Nine Nevers of Being a Successful Nonfiction Writer It takes a lot of stamina to be a successful nonfiction writer. Assuming you have the basics-- like being able to write comprehensible sentences, a working knowledge of the language and grammar-- there are still many things you need to do to become published. Those who want to be nonfiction writers are told to write query letters, work the various market listings available to writers, and keep plugging away. Solid foundational advice, of course, but it is just as easy to make serious mistakes that are as disastrous to your writing career as a tornado is to your home. As a nonfiction writer, there are some things you must never do. If you do, you are damaging your writing career. Called your "Never List," here are nine things you never want to do: 1. Never stop generating ideas. Your ideas are the basis of everything you produce, no matter what kind of writing you do. Do everything you can to produce new ideas for articles and books. It is not that hard to spawn new ideas-- they are everywhere. Keep looking for tips in newspapers and newsletters, on television, websites, and from conversations. Record your ideas, keeping a pad and pen nearby. (Reporter's notebooks are what I use and recommend-- they fit perfectly in your pocket, yet are quite functional. They are spiral bound at the top, and are 4" x 8". Sometimes hard to find, they are worth the effort to locate at a stationary store. They are similar to stenographer notebooks, but narrower.) Keep your notes, clips, and any other information you find that could become a future manuscript. Always be curious and ask questions. You will find many new ideas just by satisfying your own curiosity. 2. Never stop learning. Being a nonfiction writer requires constant learning. That means you must keep reading, and learning about the craft of writing. Subscribe and read writer's magazines and newsletters, attend writer's conferences and seminars, read books about writing, interviewing, and journalism. Take courses. Your quest for knowledge about writing should always be fueled with more information from various sources. 3. Never miss a deadline! Think about the word deadline. Two simple words, placed neatly together. Cross the line, and you are dead! And you sure do not want to be dead. Always meet your deadlines, no matter what it takes. Editors and publishers will respect you as a working writer if you are a conscientious worker. For a nonfiction writer, being a conscientious worker means always meeting your deadlines. 4. Never allow anyone to review and alter or change your work before it is published (other than your editor). When you interview someone, take notes, use a tape recorder, but do not allow the person being interviewed to control what you write. Agree to review your notes, to make sure what they said is what you recorded, and that you heard them correctly. But only the editorial staff-- the writer and editor-- can and should control editorial content. Never agree to allow the subject to change or modify your manuscript. 5. Never compromise yourself. Avoid situations where you might feel pressured or tempted to write something that is not true. A good example might be that someone offers you a free trip to a beach resort for three days. In such an example, you may feel pressured to write a good review, and overlook the high food and beverage prices the resort charges. Your integrity as a nonfiction writer is more important than any bribe or freebie that you might receive. Saying something is wonderful when it is not is dishonest, and compromises your integrity. 6. Never get into a position of a conflict of interest. You cannot use inside information to your advantage. You cannot write the same article for two competing publications, especially when you have received inside information from one of the two publications. It is okay to be competitive, seeking information and pursuing stories. Don't be unfair with your reporting, choosing instead to be open and honest. 7. Never fake or make up facts. Don't invent sources. A nonfiction writer's job is to report the truth, good or bad, as you see it. Never fake or stretch a source, fact, or interview. Be careful not to exaggerate, even on those articles where your tone is obviously enthusiastic. 8. Never be unethical in dealing with editors, publishers, or people you are interviewing. Be upfront. Don't be undercover-- unless it is necessary to report the story. Don't agree to be "off the record" with the subject of an interview, then report what was said during those "off the record" remarks. Make sure the subject knows that what they are saying is fair fodder for publication. If there is ever any question about sources, be sure to reveal the issue to the editor or publisher. 9. Never break the rules. Sure, there are exceptions to every rule. If I told you that never, in the history of publishing, has an editor bought a sloppy manuscript-- one filled with spelling and typing errors, misstatements, preposterous facts-- it would be an untrue statement. I am sure some editor somewhere did such a foolish thing. I am sure that somewhere, right now, a desperate writer is breaking one of these rules, and will get their work sold. There are some rules you can break-- like not including an S.A.S.E. or telephoning an editor. But there are some rules you cannot and should not ever consider breaking-- such as lying to get an interview or making up sources. Watch these nevers as you work, and your nonfiction writing career will flourish, rather than stumble. |
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