How to Write a "How To" Book - What to Look For in a Writing System

There is one question that's at the forefront forvery difficult to organize your thoughts. On the
any new writer of non-fiction. How do I write myother hand if you are writing a "how to" textbook
"how to" book? What system should I use? Whoof 500 pages or a modern War and Peace, you
can I turn to for advice? How can I be sure I'llneed to have exquisite control on what is being
finish?written and when. And the system you need to
Ultimately, all of these questions can be resolvedchoose will reflect that complexity.
by selecting the right writing system. How will ISome of the systems you will discover as you
know it is the right system? If it's right for you,search for your own system on how to write a
and the closer it meets your needs, then it's the"how to" book, will be better suited for simple
right system.tasks. While others will be more focused on
Start out by asking what types of writing you willbringing structure to larger written pieces.
be doing. Will you be writing fiction? Will you beAs your writing begins to be more complex you
writing non-fiction? Will you be writing blog posts?also should consider the nature of the tools being
Will you be writing articles? Will you be writingused. Are they cognitive based -- meaning they
novellas? Will you be writing books? Will you bework with the mind's abilities -- or not? As your
writing series?writing increases in complexity the need to be
The answers to these questions will help you tocognitive based -- to help the mind select,
refine your needs in a writing system.organize and expand on the facts -- increases. If
Fiction and a few forms of non-fiction likeall you are writing are blog posts and short
biography and history, require a system that isarticles, such as this one, then any system will do.
time based. Fiction, especially, needs a systemIf you are writing a "how to" non fiction textbook
which allows you to combine characters andor a fiction book, then you want the system to
scenes or settings across a time line. Systemshelp you to get your ideas onto the paper.
based on storyboarding, like the ones used inFinally, it is helpful if the person who designed the
video, are best for this type of writing.system writes your type of book as their main
On the other hand, "how to" books and othertype of writing. After all, all writers have a type
non-fiction which is fact or argument based needsof writing which they first learned on and are
a system which allows you to develop yourmost comfortable doing. That type of writing will
information in a desired structure. Fact basedcolor all of their writing techniques. If you write
systems need to follow a structure which is"how to" non fiction books, then it makes sense
focused on convincing your audience of theto pick a system designed by someone who is
correctness of your writing. And also to convincefocused on writing a "how to" non fiction book. If
the reader that you have control of your facts; ayou write fiction books, it makes sense to choose
key element in being considered an expert.a system designed by someone who writes
Generally, the IBC (intro, body, conclusion)fiction books. And if you only write short articles,
structure is the target in this case.it makes sense to use a system suited to
How important a writing system is to you,journalists.
depends upon the type of writing you will beThe key to selecting the best system for writing
doing. As the complexity of your writing increasesyour "how to" book, is to select the system that
you will need a more defined system of how tobest matches your writing. After all, it needs to
write a "how to" book. After all, if you are writingbecome your system.
a blog post with only one point being made, it isn't