How to Organize
Your Non-Fiction Book

Learning how to organize your non-fiction book is not as complicated as it seems. Although non-fiction books must be as entertaining, readable, lively, and as well written as fiction, some basic tips can help you create a book manuscript that is clear and flows well.

Along with this, since non-fiction is primarily about imparting information, the facts must be absolutely accurate and presented in a logical and interesting order. Organizing your information is crucial to writing non-fiction. Often, the information itself will dictate the structure.

So where do you begin?

1) Begin by gathering all your ideas and writing them down. In essence, brainstorm everything you know about the subject.

2) Read whatever you can. Unless you're an expert on your topic--and even if you are--you'll have to do a lot of research before you start writing your outline. In other words, do enough research to make yourself an authority. This will involve not only reading all the major books (if there are any) on your subject, but seeking primary or first-hand sources. If you're writing a biography, this could mean reading original letters and diaries or conducting interviews. Also, if the books you read on your subject include bibliographies or source material, you have a list of resources given to you that another author has already done the legwork on. A university library may also have access to databases of articles, journals and newspapers and some of these you may be able to access from your own computer. Peer-reviewed research journals are reliable sources.

3) Create a master list of everything you feel is important about the subject, and then organize your list in order of importance, usually from the general overall picture down to the particulars. Many writers begin the task of learning how to organize their non-fiction book by creating a table of contents before writing each section. Your table of contents may change you as write, but it's helpful to begin with this structure to organize your material.

4) Create an outline. Under each topic or chapter heading, write down all the information in point form you want to write about and file these topics in separate documents. You can also include quotes and notes to yourself that you want to make sure you expand on later. Remember to source all your material for future reference.

5) Print off these separate documents or initial 'chapters' and put them together in chronological order. Then read through what you have to ensure that the material presents itself in a logical, entertaining, and interesting order. Many authors like to put the most captivating material at the beginning of the book to keep the reader interested.

6) Begin writing. With your completed outline, you can begin your first draft, writing quickly to get your ideas down. For the second draft, you can add interesting details and anecdotes, making your subject come alive. Most non-fiction books begin with an introduction, which is usually best to write once you've completed all the other chapters. Once your manuscript is written, another final tip to complete the task of learning how to organize your non-fiction book is to place all chapters on a table or pasted to a wall. Once the complete book manuscript is in front of you, you can choose its final order.