Steve Portigal, author and user research consultant, joins the host to talk about the process of writing non-fiction. They discuss challenges of writing different book projects, structuring a book using Tinderbox, the evolution of the writing process, and online presence/book promotion.
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Quick takeaways
Each book project is unique and requires a personalized writing process that allows the author's voice to shine through.
Experimentation, organization, and refining ideas are crucial in the initial stages of writing a non-fiction book.
Deep dives
Different approaches to writing non-fiction
In this episode, the hosts discuss their experiences and approaches to writing non-fiction books. They highlight that each book project is unique and requires a different process, depending on the material and goals. The process of figuring out how to write the book can be challenging and may evolve over time. They emphasize the importance of finding a process that works for each individual and allows their voice to come through in the writing.
Navigating the initial stage of book writing
The hosts delve into the initial stage of book writing, where a plethora of ideas needs to be organized and structured. They emphasize the value of experimentation and writing out ideas to navigate and refine the book's organization. They discuss various approaches, including creating an outline, using a table of contents, and keeping a punch list of ideas that need to find their place. The hosts also share personal experiences and insights, reflecting on their challenges and how they found their unique ways of organizing their books.
Tools and techniques for structuring a book
The hosts explore different tools and techniques for structuring a book. They discuss the effectiveness of tools like Tinderbox and the importance of visualizing ideas. One host shares their experience using matrix-like structures to ensure chapters have a similar length and rhythm. They highlight the value of being able to shift focus between different levels of abstraction and the benefits of using AI tools to assist in structuring and organizing ideas. They stress the importance of finding tools and methods that support an individual's voice and help bring their ideas to life.
The iterative nature of writing and the joy in the process
The hosts discuss the iterative nature of writing and how it can lead to a more enjoyable process. They encourage writing a 'shitty first draft' and then revising it to refine the structure and organization. They share their experiences of rewriting parts or even the entire book to improve the flow and clarity. The hosts highlight the importance of embracing experimentation and finding joy in the writing process. They emphasize that the process of writing a book is highly personal and evolves over time, requiring individuals to discover their own methods and approaches.
Steve Portigal is an independent user research consultant. He is the author of Interviewing Users and Doorbells, Danger, and Dead Batteries. Steve and I both have new books, so we thought it’d be fun to compare notes on writing non-fiction. In this, the second of two episodes on the subject, we focus on the process of writing. If you haven’t done so already, listen to our previous conversation, which focused on our motivations.