So you wanna write a nonfiction book...What's the first step?

RESEARCH....RESEARCH...RESEARCH...

This should be your first step. I said this before in an earlier post "Build your name before you publish a book" it's very important to know and understand everything when you're writing nonfiction. Becoming an expert can only add to your credibility. Even if you've worked in the field for a period of time you still should research your subject. 

As suggested in "On Writing Well" you can never know to much. Visit your libraries and find out what they keep on the shelves, buy magazines, books and everything as related to your subject. Make sure you know your competition. See what they're doing and how you can contribute. 

I agree with the suggestions made in this book. I also believe you should use the internet and see what's out there. Become familiar with people who may ultimately read your books and join forums, message groups and anything you can so that you are gaining possible readers or even information to help with your book.  

Interview other experts, seek input and/or ask a family member. You should have someone you can ask how they feel about your idea. Become friends with your librarian, they have research tools and databases available. The more you know the better you'll be able to cover your subject.

Do you clutter your sentences?

Why yes I do? I raise my hand knowing I'm guilty. I didn't realize how bad I was until editors started chopping my sentences to bits. I overuse words, phrases and padded sentences. Well I'm learning my lesson. Now I just got to put it to use. While reading On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction says "Clutter is the disease of American writing." I was shocked as I tend to write in useless words. He even edited the page below five times until he was satisfied.

Then while reading On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King he says leave adverbs alone, to quote correctly "The road to hell is paved with adverbs." Well there you have it again. Once I'm done editing my book I know I will have to take out a lot of "EXTRA" and "USELESS" words. But I'm learning and having fun while I do, at least for now anyway. So here are some tips I've learned from these two books.

1. When quoting you can't go wrong with a simple "he said, she said"
2. Simplify your sentences, get rid of useless words
3. The secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components
4. Is what you trying to say clear to someone the first time through
5. Clear thinking becomes clear writing

For me, it's a work in progress. I know what to do and now I have to apply it. So even if it takes editing a sentence five times, that's what I'll do.