I read quite a bit of non-fiction. I enjoy learning things and because my age begins with a 4, I still like to learn things via books. I find that when I’m fixating on a particular subject for very long, books scratch an itch that I otherwise might not reach.
As a writer who reads quite a bit of non-fiction and has frequent fixations, I have long entertained the idea of writing a non-fiction book of my own. It’s sort of in the same dreamscape as writing a personal essay: I’m sure I could do it as soon as I got over the obstacle of not knowing how to do it, or in the case of the non-fiction book, not knowing how do it.
What is a non-fiction book, really? Just a 300 page research paper, but you’re allowed to have a sense of humor and a personality. Okay, I realize that still sounds like a drag, but narrative non-fiction would argue successfully against that assessment. The point is, I never had any trouble writing research papers, so I shouldn’t have any trouble writing a book-length one, right?
In theory, sure. My hang-ups, though, are related to topic. As in, I’d love to write a non-fiction book, but what would I write it about? Most folks who write non-fiction books have an area of expertise that they focus on, or they’re the inquisitive sort that want to learn all they can about something and then translate that learning for other curious people. I fall just a bit short in both of these areas. Nobody would consider me an expert in anything (other than self-sabotage and failure to thrive as an adult, but nobody wants to read about that), and while I am curious about a great many things, I don’t think I’m the sort of person gifted enough to translate that learning into writing that anyone would want to read. Also, the learning takes time and costs money. I’m a little short on both.
If I were to write a non-fiction book, it would most likely be pop culture related. Because what do I know? Reruns. My expertise lies in my ability to name guest stars in an episode of Gunsmoke or Murder, She Wrote that most people have never heard of. To be fair, my specific interests related to old TV shows are pretty niche, like ’70s cop shows. I can’t see that garnering much interest in the publishing trade.
But say I do try to write a book about ’70s cop shows. What’s my focus? Am I writing a reference guide to all of the cop shows produced in the ’70s? Or do I concentrate on how these shows amped up the copaganda in the wake of the rebellious ’60s as a way to subtly shift people back towards the status quo of authority? Am I smart enough to do write either of these books? Probably not. Also, the amount of research necessary for either venture is nothing short of daunting.
I’m not saying I wouldn’t enjoy myself. I’m just saying it’s a lot.
For now, the non-fiction dream remains a dream, but so long as I’m dreaming, the possibility of the dream becoming a reality stays alive.
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