How to Make Your NonFiction Book a Fun to Read Page-Turner
When most people think of reading a nonfiction book, they might right away think it will be a snooze-fest. And, although I actually really enjoy reading nonfiction (of course), I do realize that this can sometimes be true, and it’s what most people think.
But why do so many people automatically assume nonfiction will be boring?
Well, I think it’s because of textbooks, and boring biographies and technical writing we were all forced to read in school.
But, honestly, reading should be fun! No matter what niche, and there are so many ways to make your writing more engaging and fun to read. Even if it’s a memoir, non-fiction, or even an essay.
So how do you make your nonfiction book actually fun to read?
Here, I’ll share with you 7 different ways.
Give it some action
Just because it’s a true story doesn’t mean it has to fall flat! Write in an active voice as if things are happening now, even if they happened in the past. Or intensify the drama or conflict in some way. You can make the reader feel like they’re just sitting on the edge of their seat, even if there is no real, looming threat like a monster or a dragon.
2. Where’s the dialogue?
Another way is through the use of dialogue. You can do this either with characters (even if they’re real people), in your story, quoting what they’ve said, and you can also do it with your own thoughts…. “And why not write about my thoughts?” I thought to myself.
3. Use storytelling
Stating a bunch of facts is boring. Take the time to tell stories. Relate things to other things and create connections that you can refer back to later.
4. Metaphors are your bestie
Oh man, people love a good metaphor. They’re (in my humble opinion), the absolute best way to learn and understand something. You want to get a point across? Use a metaphor.
Here’s my favourite: “The river never sees the ocean until it arrives.” What does it mean? Well, one thing’s for sure, it’s giving us perspective. This idea that we don’t know where we’re going, but even still, as long as we go with the flow, we’ll get to exactly where we’re meant to be. And that place is likely going to be more abundant and wonderful than we ever could have imagined. Isn’t it interesting how that little metaphor just opened an entire conversation for us? Literally, just one short sentence like this carries so much density in it. It really makes you think, and when you do engage in thinking about it deeper, you can see parallels in your own life, and it actually makes you see things in a new light. Thinking about life in this way, in the way the river flows into uncertain waters, makes me think that as long as I follow the flow of things, I’ll end up somewhere great. And, that idea makes me think that maybe I don’t need to worry so much. Now, I’m wondering why I ever worry at all. And, see? It’s changing my beliefs about myself and the world. And, I bet it’s also pretty interesting to read.
5. “Quotes”, of course
Quotes, like metaphors, begin a conversation. They can be long, or short and sweet, but adding them in is like putting a sprinkle on top. I especially love when non-fiction authors sprinkle quotes throughout the margins of their pages. Or use block quotes within the text so they really stand out. The thing you’ve got to remember is, with nonfiction books, people are going to highlight, write in there, and all the rest to vandalize your work of art. So, maybe plan ahead and make it a bit easier for them by making some space where they can write some notes on the quote if they’d like to.
6. Make your book interactive by including journal prompts
On the same topic of writing inside nonfiction books, add some journal prompts! Having some well-integrated and relevant journal prompts is a game-changer for nonfiction. It shows that you care about your reader getting the most out of your book, and actually remembering the content. And, even better, it turns your book from something to read to a full-on experience, and maybe even a course in some instances (i.e. Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way). Anyway, it’s just valuable to add them in is the point.
7. Break up text
Okay, don’t send a break-up text. That’s just rude. But, do break up the text in your writing. This will allow your readers to skim, which will keep them engaged for longer. The goal isn’t actually to get them to buy your book, it’s so much more about getting them to finish reading it. Meaning, you’ve got to keep them on the page for as long as you can. So, don’t be afraid to mix it up and use charts, diagrams, lists, and tons and tons of subheadings… like the following.
Now that I’ve given you some “do’s” on how to make your nonfiction book engaging…
I’m going to hit you with some “don’ts” on how to not make your nonfiction book totally boring.
Just to be sure you publish the most engaging nonfiction book of all time.
Just as there are things you can do to make your nonfiction book interesting to read. There are also some things you can do to avoid so that you don’t write and publish a book that is boring.
Because you want to become a bestseller! Duh!
Don’t #1: Don’t be a fancy pants
This is the number one tip because it’s recommended even by Stephen King, one of the most famous writers of all time. He says, “Use the first word that comes to your mind if it is appropriate and colorful. The word is only a representation of the meaning; even at its best, writing almost always falls short of full meaning.”
So, in essence, he’s saying that overly flowery writing might be fun and make you feel so sophisticated and brilliant. But honestly, it’s usually just going to weigh your readers down. Excessive use of descriptive and flowery language makes it more difficult to read. Whereas, if you just get to the point, your readers will actually stay more engaged and will appreciate your simplicity. Let me give you an example. I’m going to write this exact same paragraph again below, but this time being a total fancy pants.
Ah, the beguiling temptation of verbose and gilded prose! How it doth whisper sweet nothings to the eager quill, luring the hapless scribe into a labyrinth of ornamented diction and superfluous flourish. Yet, prithee, beware! For such grandiloquence, though it may cloak thee in the illusion of brilliance, is but a ponderous chain, shackling both writer and reader alike. Aye, the weight of excess verbiage doth burden the weary eye and muddle the message, where a blade of succinctness wouldst have cleaved clean through. But lo! Allow me to demonstrate—verily, I shall craft this self same sentiment anew, yet swathed in the ostentatious finery of a wordsmith drunk on his own lexicon!
Like, what in the heck did I just say?! That was hard to read and I bet you don’t even understand it all. Truth is, I don’t either. I have to be honest, I actually asked ChatGPT for help on this one and that’s actually the response I got when I asked for it to make my last paragraph a fancy pants Shakespear.
Which, ironically, leads me to my next don’t.
Don’t #2: Don’t be a robot
Clearly, there are already some real robot writers out here these days. So, don’t blend in with them by writing like a machine. But, what? How do you do this? Honestly, all you have to do is write in your voice. Like, right now I am writing this exactly how I would speak it. I’m talking to you like you’re my friend (because, hello, you kind of are by now if you’re reading all of this), and I’m sure you can probably tell that I am writing this, and that it’s not AI-generated, besides the Shakespeare moment.
Don’t #3: Don’t make every chapter the same
If every chapter follows the same structure, flow, and pacing, it’s going to become boring and overplayed eventually. The same thing goes for using the same sentence openers, so check on those too. You want to make sure you are always keeping things fresh, and mysterious, even when it comes to things as simple as the structure, the more unpredictable it is, the more fun it will be to read.
Here’s one final tip to master engaging nonfiction!
Be Yourself!
I know it’s a cliché. But, honestly, everything has been said before. Every concept, every idea, and every piece of advice. But! It hasn’t been shared by you.
And the truth?
The world needs your perspective. Your story. And your authenticity!
So, share it.
And if you want to, but you don’t know where to start…
Let’s talk
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