Fiction or Non-fiction

One of our readers in California, Merrill, wrote to me and asked, “OK Frank Candy, I am confused and need your help! Should I write fiction or non-fiction?”

My Answer: The answers lie within you!

This is some of the most important questions writers could ask of themselves; and ask of the marketplace.

I have done both, so I have experience with this, maybe my wisdom will help you.  Most of my writing for the last 30 plus years has been non-fiction, and business related.  Back in 1999 I co-authored a great book about “functional relationships” between men and women.  The publisher and agents were going back and forth - over and over for months.  Should be fiction or non-fiction?

First - You need to know what your strengths are.

Next - How do you want to position yourself as an author? Do you want to be known as a business expert? A storyteller? A jingle writer? A poet? This is a long list.  It’s good if you know your direction and can follow it.

Next - You have to know how to sell and promote your work. A business book about leadership requires a different plan, compared to a romance novel.

First of all, answer these questions:

What do you want?

What do you do well?

What are you looking for?

What is your mission statement?

How will you know when you are successful?

 You have to figure out what will make you happy and IF it is important to you:  Do you want to make a living at it? Can you make a living at it? Some people want to make a living as a writer and others want to do if for different reasons - from some, they desire to express themselves with words, and for others, writing is therapy, like sailing, or motorcycle riding.  Whatever makes you happy? Just remember - The answers lie within you!

Frank Candy