Writing non-fiction books/ebooks.

I'm considering writing a technology based ebook in the future. Perhaps a how-to on a specific technology. The thing is I know I'm not the best writer out there so I would like to learn a bit more before I venture down this path. Does anyone know of a course that would help me in this area? The course doesn't need to be part of a degree program, for credit, or even part of a college. I'm not interested in something that's going to push me towards APA or other academic writing styles.

 

Here's a freebie. (MIT OpenCourseware)

Introduction to Technical Communication: Explorations in Scientific and Technical Writing | Writing and Humanistic Studies | MIT OpenCourseWare

And another freebie. (Wikiversity)

Technical writing - Wikiversity

Might be worth a try before you spend any money. :smile:

Johann

 

Thanks, I'll look into your suggestions.

 

Enlisting a coauthor is absolutely horrendous advice for someone who wishes to write a how-to nonfiction book. I would disregard that advice. I'm sorry you had to read it.

I would recommend taking a college course on technical writing. You could do so at the community college level or as an upper-level course. I would only recommend a community college level course if you feel you are greatly lacking and need some foundation to build upon. You would need to go further. You might also seek out a course on creative nonfiction. The creative nonfiction course would probably be of immense value, but you may not yet be ready for it. Getting meaningful, critical feedback is essential to your growth as a writer. Finally, after having done that, you might consider reading some writing books on the subject.

Having completed the above, I would recommend you start on some smaller writing projects in the subject matter you are interested in. Find a local writer's group, attend, and get some feedback on your writing. Look in your area for writer's workshops or conferences that might have professionals there. When attending local writer's groups, be weary of the fact that not everyone's advice has merit. Some people are well intentioned but simply misinformed, so be weary. But as a beginner, it's a good place to begin. You might also consider picking up writer's magazines at the local public library. There are a number of magazines that provide various articles on all topics of writing.

You are right that academic writing will be of little use to you in this endeavor.

 

The Bears' Guides series had extensive co-authorship and were awesome. These were how-to books without which this very web board probably wouldn't exist.

 

He sought help in obtaining information on how to obtain education to further his potential writing endeavors. You essentially told him not to bother, but to instead admit defeat and enlist a coauthor. You don't need to be a bard to write how to books. It is a task that most competent people could rise to with enough dedication. I can appreciate the desire to want to help, by trying to share information, but it is better to remain silent if you have nothing to share.

 

Johann correctly pointed the OP's way to technical writing courseware. Steve added that "you could always consider enlisting a co-author who has complementary strengths." I don't think this is at all fairly characterized as "essentially [telling] him not to bother, but to instead admit defeat."

btw, Steve is a technical writer. I believe he sometimes works more independently, sometimes more collaboratively with a team. No "defeat" in the latter!

 

Good discussion. I appreciate the multiple points of view. I imagine having a co-author could be like working on group assignments.. it all depends on the group dynamics.