Posted on 11/04/2005 5:59:23 PM PST by scott7278
Yes I am interested
"But I simply could not write non-fiction even if I wanted to."
It's really not as boring or bad as it sounds. Non fiction is not only far more rewarding and interesting, it can actually be easier to write. It is certainly easier to get into.
The problem is how we define non fiction. It doesn't necessarily mean "a boring old factual account of something". Non fiction has all kinds of different varieties and types, and most of them are fun, interesting, and outrageous.
You say "I can write a battle with destail going down to the tactics, formations, etc, and how a squad acts in a battle; complete with realistic and believable characters". Perfect!! Sounds like a great non fiction book!! It doesn't have to necessarily be based on reality. Create your own military strategy, go into details, make a long book about the strategy, and even put your own characters in it. I think it sounds like a winner.
Here are some non fiction books written by ordinary people that ALL are best sellers:
"How to Live with a Neurotic Dog", 60,000 copies sold.
"The World's Dumbest Criminals", 80,000 copies.
"The Quotable 'Star Wars'", 63,000 copies.
"Life's Little Frustration Book," 80,000 copies.
A non fiction book can also be a parody of a novel. "The Ditches of Edison County", which was a parody of "The Bridges of Madison County" sold 105,718 copies!
"The Duct Tape Book," 107,878.
"The Gift of the Jews," 200,000.
"Zip! Hop! Pop! and Other Fun Words to Say," 256,600.
"The Physics of Star Trek," over 100,000.
"The Truth is Out There: The Unofficial Third Season Guide to the X-Files," 103,000.
Could you have written any of these? All it takes is maybe a little research, and a good computer. And determination of course.
You love Israel. Why not a book about it? It's history. A guidebook. Or maybe the history of a certain city in Israel. Or something about the Jewish people. Thomas Cahill's "The Gift of the Jews" sold over 155,000 copies.
Whoops, there's a little mistake in there.
I labeled two different copies sold numbers for "The Gift of the Jews." Either one is a high number, but I believe the second one is accurate.
Very cool :) I would LOVE to write about Israel. However I would need first hand experiance of the place. Something I cannot afford.
Hello everyone.
Hello and welcome :) Want on the ping list for this thread?
Actually, you really don't need first hand experience. That's actually another huge myth in the writing world. Just do some research, which is a lot easier to do with the internet nowadays, and you CAN do it.
For example, the book "The Perfect Storm" was a bestseller on the accounts of the huge storm in the Atlantic Ocean that had devastating effects on a certain ship out there, but the guy who wrote it had nothing to do with it. He wasn't there. He just saw it on the news, and ended up writing a book about it that was eventually made into a hit movie.
Sure!
I never knew that. I do wish I could at least meet some Israeli friends. But I need to know exactly what Israel-relected subject to write about first.
Gladly :)
Well, you think about all I told you, and think of a good topic. Just think if you've written a NF book, and gotten it published, how much that would help you in trying to get your novel sold. The publishers will be far more impressed, I'm sure.
Thats true. Space Warfare tactics, strategies, maneuvers and formations. Wonder how that would sell lol. I have brainstormed how it would be done for months lol. In addition to the ground combat stuff.
Could definitely work.
I guess maybe I shouldn't preach too much about nonfiction, seeing how I've never done it myself. I've wanted to get into the book industry for years, but I just never got around to it. I've started writing books and gotten a few chapters done, but I just never committed to writing all the way through.
One idea:: a book called "Eye in the storm: How Israel is able to be free, in a land of dictatroships", or somethng along those lines.
Cool! I like that idea :)
Not only would that work, but I can imagine it having a specific target audience.
That is the most important thing with book writing: the book has to have a specific audience of people who will read it. Otherwise, the publisher isn't going to give it a second thought.
I saw in an earlier post that you wanted to go to Israel and perhaps go to school there.........certainly would help your book wouldn't it!
Just kind of came to me, sitting here.
Yes I would indeed :)
Very cool :)
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