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7 Creative Writing Exercises for Non-Fiction Book Writing

7 Creative Writing Exercises For Non-Fiction Book Writing

Creative writing is often thought of as a talent, but, in reality, it is more of a skill that is developed over time. Rare is the person who can sit down one day and write a non-fiction book within weeks or months. This means that if you’re thinking about getting started on your first non-fiction book and want to embrace the creative writing process that makes a big difference in the readability of your book, then the following exercises can help you develop your skills over time so you can create some fantastic stories.

#1. Create Rich Multi-Dimensional Characters

Creative writing should take you out of your comfort zone. To do this, take time to identify distinct, compelling characteristics of those you write about. Then identify a major conflict that is stopping the person you are writing about so that you build a connection with your readers who likely have similar conflicts in their work or living environment. Now here’s the challenge: make sure the person you are writing about is someone your readers will cheer for because they can picture themselves in that character’s shoes.

#2. The Best Memory Ever

What is your best memory? For me, it’s sitting with my family at the end of a quiet dock in the middle of nowhere. The sun was rising, splashing some purples and oranges into the sky. The water was cold, so we were splashing our toes in it with hot chocolate or coffee in our hands. It was quiet, peaceful, and harmonious.

Now write down your best memory. What does that memory mean to you? This experience can then become the foundation of a great story.

#3. Word Structure

The actual structure of words is just as important to the process of creative writing as the subject material, plot, and dialogue. If the word structure is awkward for the reader, they’ll become uncomfortable and either start skimming or decide to put the story down altogether. A great way to practice structure is to write some poetry.

It doesn’t have to be perfect poetry. It just needs to have some structure and rhythm to it to get the feel of your own writing style. It doesn’t even have to be a lengthy poem. For example:

There once was a man.
who had a master plan
He would rob a bank.
Then he would give the money to thank
the McCoy clan for the purchase a fuel tank.

If you do like to write longer poems, then try to keep this exercise to 20 lines or less. The goal is to structure your creativity with this exercise instead of learning how to access your creativity.

#4. The Two Chapter Drill

There’s a book somewhere in your home right now. If you’re at a business, see if someone has a book you can borrow. Now go to Chapter 1 and write down the first sentence. Then go to Chapter 2 and write down the last sentence. Now write a 1,000-word short story that fits between these two sentences.

#5. Happily Never After

Have you ever seen the movie Happily Never After? It’s a fairy tale but from the perspective of the bad guys. Most creative stories have some conflict between good and evil, and the outcome is that good will eventually triumph. In this exercise, your first goal is to make the bad guy actually be the good guy in the fairy tale and give them the “happily never after” they want.

The second goal is to convince readers that there are positive merits in characters who are bad guys, even if they are bent on creating mayhem throughout the story.

#6. You’re an Eavesdropper

Have you ever noticed how there’s always one table in a restaurant talking a little too loud for social norms? Or there’s the guy on the bus screaming into his phone? For this creative writing exercise, don’t ignore these people. Listen to them. Turn what you hear them discussing into a short story that focuses on love. Sure… you might need to twist the words being said into a different meaning, but “I hate your guts” can still be “I love you” to some couples. Remember: this is your world you are creating. These conversations are prompted to help you practice your writing skills.

#7. Pick Your Favorite

Let’s say you’ve done one exercise each day for the past 6 days. Now you’re on Day #7. Pick your favorite work. Polish it up. Edit it. Post it online if you want. See if you can get paid to have it published. Be proud of the work you’ve done.

Creative writing exercises for first-time non-fiction book authors are designed to help you discover the skill and talents you already have and then enhance them. Get started today, and who knows what can happen in the next week.

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