Know Your Subject

This may seem contradictory to the purpose of conducting the interview–you’re consulting an expert because you’re not one yourself,right? Yes–however, you need to have a good grasp of your topic so that you know what you’re talking about during the interview. The purpose of contacting an expert is to clarify and gain additional information,not to be taught your subject. Experts appreciate the effort you put into understanding the topic and being able to speak as knowledgeably as possible about it.

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

Preparation is key to a good interview, no matter what method you choose. Make a list of your questions ahead of time, for your own purposes and to send to your expert. Many people appreciate knowing what they will be talking about, as it allows them to generate thoughtful responses rather than “off the cuff” comments. Send your list of questions to your interview subject, and follow them during the interview (while allowing the interview to veer as appropriate).

Decide How You Will Conduct the Interview

This depends in part on your subject, but your options often include in person, by phone, or through email. All methods are acceptable, and while a shy person may lean toward email, remember that the immediacy of an in-person or phone conversation can often add that “human”element that might be just what your piece needs. Sometimes you won’t have a choice, if your editor or subject prefers a particular method.It’s a good idea to practice various methods as you progress through your writing career. (If you record a conversation, be sure your subject knows and check any applicable state or governmental laws.)

Be Respectful of your Subject’s Time

Many professionals are happy to lend their expertise to your cause,as long as you don’t abuse the privilege. Be respectful of the person’s time, letting them know ahead how long you expect the interview to last. Be on time, and stick to your time estimate. If you run over, you can request a second interview, or ask if you can follow-up via email or phone.

Quote Accurately

No matter what method you choose, be careful that you quote your experts accurately. Obviously, this can be easier via email, but it is certainly possible for other types of interviews as well. If you have time, consider sending the quotes to your expert for review before submitting the manuscript. Not only will this help ensure accuracy, but it also gives your expert an extra opportunity to clarify a difficult topic or expand on an idea or comment. If your topic is technical, you can also request permission to rephrase the quote in terms that your younger readers will understand. Many experts are open to this, and will approve your changes–just be sure to let them know! And of course,when you write your piece, be sure to give credit to your source.

Where do you find experts? There are many options, but here are some ideas to get you started:

* Check your local yellow pages

* Investigate professional and nonprofit organizations

* Ask for references from research contacts, colleagues, those you talk to throughout the process, and even in casual conversations when someone says, “I know someone who…”

* Names you run across through Internet and other research

* Through online directories such as http://www.profnet.com

Interviewing experts can be rewarding. Be prepared, respect their time, and have fun! 

One of the best ways to enliven nonfiction is by “borrowing”techniques used in fiction. This includes, when appropriate, opening with a high-action scene, building suspense, using plenty of “showing”description, and including dialogue to break-up the narrative. The only caveat is that actions and dialogue must be “true,” in that it accurately (word for word in the case of direct quotes) portrays events or people. What if you are not writing a biography or historical piece? You can still use these techniques by interviewing professionals,showing people in action, and determining an interesting point of view from which to write about your subject.

Kids love to learn about topics that interest them. For writers,this is good news, because it can often be “easier” to sell nonfiction than fiction–easier in the sense that many editors are looking for quality nonfiction. However, this also means that it is a competitive market, and only the best nonfiction writing will sell. You can make your nonfiction stand out by incorporating the techniques mentioned above, among other things (choosing and focusing on a specific,interesting topic also helps!).

Just as you need some type of “hook,” in fiction, so too should you use one in nonfiction. Even if your topic follows some type of chronology, consider opening with a significant event, fascinating fact, high-action event, or unique dialogue. Bring the reader in and then fill-in the details. What is an exception to this approach?Younger readers require more structure than older readers, in which case beginning in the middle of your story might not work. Straight chronologies work better for younger readers.

Use the idea of beginnings, middles, and ends as you craft your nonfiction piece. Just as fiction builds to the climax of the story, so too can you arrange your information in a way that builds to an interesting ending. Are you writing about a real-life mystery? Consider dropping clues along the way so your reader can try to solve the problem.

What if you are not sure of the best structure for your work? In many ways, you have more flexibility with nonfiction in that you can structure your piece in a way that best fits your material. Perhaps including the most exciting information first, rather than last, works best for your topic. Maybe the middle of your piece is full of action,which you then lead the reader out of to explain the significance. No matter how you structure your piece, remember that it needs to have some type of logical order (remember that bit about young readers?). As always, keep your reader in mind.

Dialogue is a great way to add interest to nonfiction while also breaking up longer sections of text. If you are writing a historical event or biography, search for actual words said by the people involved. If you cannot find this, you might be able to quote a newspaper article or some other source from the same period. If no quotes are available, or if you are writing a different type of piece,consider including excerpts from interviews. Experts add authenticity to your work, and some interesting quotes from experts can add that special, human touch.

As you develop your piece, look for ways to make the writing as interesting and “alive” as possible. Kids do not like to wade through dry, stale facts any more than (many) adults do. Think of ways to put those facts into context. Show the significance of the information, and present it in forms that kids can relate to. If you use the many ways to add sparkle to your nonfiction, you will help increase your chances of publication while providing fun, fascinating reads for your audience.

One of the joys of writing nonfiction is learning about and exploring a topic in detail. This is also one of its drawbacks–for people who enjoy research, it is easy to become so engrossed in the research that they delay writing. Another issue that arises is feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information available, and then determining how to put it all together. These scenarios often go hand-in-hand. As a writer falls deeper and deeper into the investigative process, it becomes easier to become sidetracked by every detail, simply because it’s interesting. Over time, these various paths can feel overwhelming.Remaining focused and organized can help overcome these issues.

While not all writers like to work from an outline, for nonfiction,an outline can be a useful tool. If you are in a position where you can change it, allow yourself the freedom to alter your outline as needed,but use it as a guide when conducting research. An outline can help keep you on task. How do you develop the outline? Obviously, you need to know a certain amount about your topic before you can develop an outline. Here again, focus on the bigger picture issues to keep you from being bogged down by research before you even begin! As you gain a feel for the topic, you will quickly see which are the main points.Your audience and situation will help determine which areas to focus on. If you are writing for a younger reader, narrow the focus. Trying to introduce all sides of a subject can be too confusing for the reader(and many editors prefer a tight, focused nonfiction piece as opposed to a broad overview that does not add much to the current literature).

Once you have narrowed your focus, you can develop a general outline. Unless you are writing from a pre-approved outline, give yourself permission to change as needed. As you delve further into your subject, you may find it necessary to tweak the outline. Use your outline as a guide when researching, however, to keep you on track and to help prevent the urge to head off into an unrelated area. This keeps you on task, and also helps prevent feelings of being too overwhelmed.

As you research, you will quickly find that many sources provide the same information. The “rule of three” is that for every fact you state, have at least three credible sources that state the same thing.This helps ensure accuracy. New research will sometimes discredit earlier sources, but this rule can help you establish a baseline and also show the reader more than one side of the issue when appropriate.

Still researching and not writing weeks or months later? There comes a time when it is necessary to stop the investigative process and begin writing! When you reach the point where your research covers subjects you have already studied, and you have your three sources for your primary facts, it is time to get writing. Your outline can be useful for this as well, as it gives you a starting point.

Some writers prefer to write as they research, while others prefer to research first, then write. No matter which method you choose, there comes a time when you need to start the process or move on to the next section. With some experimentation, focus, and organization, you can make a smooth transition from researching to writing while still enjoying the process.

The following tips will help keep you focused and on track:

* Narrow your topic

* Write to your target audience
* Use the “rule of three”

* Start writing when your research starts repeating

* Maintain your focus

A few phrases are often used in the writing community, such as“Show, Don’t Tell,” or “Write What You Know.” These phrases stem from bits of wisdom that writers have gained throughout the years. For example, “showing,” instead of “telling,” can make your writing much more vivid for your reader. The advice to “write what you know” also has good intentions behind it. You can often write better about something with which you are familiar rather than a topic that is completely foreign. After all, how many writers can accurately (or interestingly)write about the physics behind a rocket launch?

While the intentions may be good, the end result may not be. After all, many people are inquisitive by nature, and this may be even more so for writers! Many writers love to explore complex ideas ranging from what it really means to be human or how to build a solar powered vehicle. Writers also have a tendency to love research. Again, it’s that inquisitive side that makes us desire to learn and understand more-which leads us to our problem.

If we only write what we know, we may soon bore of writing or start feeling like we’re writing the same thing over and over. Many of us write because we feel compelled to, or we want to share some insight or knowledge. The reasons are varied, and therefore, so are the topics we examine through our writing. However, we must have some sense of our topic in order to write about it clearly. How then, can we avoid boredom while still writing cohesively about a subject?

One way is to write what you love, what you’re most passionate about. Why? There are several reasons! One is that, if you want to make a name for yourself as a writer, it’s best if you can focus on one or two broad areas, such as parenting or sailing. This approach allows you to demonstrate your expertise in a certain area, but also allows plenty of room for creativity. If your “niche” writing is something that you love or have great passion for, that’s even better! Your writing will probably be much more vivid and engaging if you choose something that you care about. Your reader will sense this, as well. Do you need to know everything there is about your topic? Absolutely not!However, you’ll probably find that you enjoy the research a lot more if you’re reading about something that interests you!

This concept of writing what you love applies to all types of writing: fiction, nonfiction, books, magazine articles, how-to advice,personal essays, you name it. So, you’re next step is to identify two or three areas about which you feel the most passionate and start writing!