Need help getting your non-fiction writing community talking? Thought-provoking questions can unlock fresh perspectives and deeper connections. Use these ready-made templates to inspire conversation and keep your group active and engaged.
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Community questions tap into our natural desire to share, compare, and reflect. By inviting open and inclusive dialogue, these prompts create a safe space where members feel valued for their insights. Thoughtfully crafted questions encourage even quieter members to join in, transforming passive readers into active contributors.
For non-fiction writers, sharing perspectives is critical. Whether exploring research methods, storytelling, or publishing, well-posed questions draw out diverse voices and experiences. This not only builds community trust but also surfaces new ideas that benefit everyone in the group.
What is one non-fiction book that changed your perspective and why?
💡 Example: "What is one non-fiction book that changed your perspective and why? Mine is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks."
Share a research method you swear by when gathering facts for your writing.
💡 Example: "Share a research method you swear by when gathering facts for your writing. I love using library archives."
How do you overcome writer's block when working on non-fiction projects?
💡 Example: "How do you overcome writer's block when working on non-fiction projects? Any tricks to share?"
If you could interview any historical figure for your next book, who would it be?
💡 Example: "If you could interview any historical figure for your next book, who would it be? I'd pick Marie Curie."
What is your biggest challenge when structuring a non-fiction piece?
💡 Example: "What is your biggest challenge when structuring a non-fiction piece? Let's troubleshoot together."
Describe your workspace. Does your environment influence your writing?
💡 Example: "Describe your workspace. Does your environment influence your writing? I need total silence."
What non-fiction topic do you wish more writers would explore?
💡 Example: "What non-fiction topic do you wish more writers would explore? I think we need more on food systems."
Have you ever changed your mind about a subject after researching it for a story?
💡 Example: "Have you ever changed your mind about a subject after researching it for a story? Tell us about it."
What is your go-to source for fact-checking?
💡 Example: "What is your go-to source for fact-checking? I trust Snopes and academic journals."
Do you outline before you start writing, or dive right in?
💡 Example: "Do you outline before you start writing, or dive right in? I always outline first."
Share a time when feedback transformed your non-fiction piece.
💡 Example: "Share a time when feedback transformed your non-fiction piece. I almost cut my best chapter until a friend suggested editing instead."
What advice would you give to someone starting their first memoir?
💡 Example: "What advice would you give to someone starting their first memoir? Be honest, but protect your privacy."
How do you balance storytelling with factual accuracy?
💡 Example: "How do you balance storytelling with factual accuracy? Any tips to share?"
What is the hardest part of the editing process for you?
💡 Example: "What is the hardest part of the editing process for you? I struggle with cutting content."
Which non-fiction genre do you write in most, and why?
💡 Example: "Which non-fiction genre do you write in most, and why? I love investigative journalism."
Share a recent headline that inspired your writing.
💡 Example: "Share a recent headline that inspired your writing. The latest climate report sparked my article."
If you could guarantee one outcome from your writing, what would it be?
💡 Example: "If you could guarantee one outcome from your writing, what would it be? I want readers to take action."
What is your favorite way to start a non-fiction piece?
💡 Example: "What is your favorite way to start a non-fiction piece? I use a surprising fact."
How do you decide what to leave out of your story?
💡 Example: "How do you decide what to leave out of your story? Sometimes it's tough to cut details."
Recommend a documentary that enhanced your understanding of your topic.
💡 Example: "Recommend a documentary that enhanced your understanding of your topic. I suggest '13th' for social justice writers."
What is your process for interviewing sources?
💡 Example: "What is your process for interviewing sources? I always prepare open-ended questions first."
Share a non-fiction piece by another writer that inspired you recently.
💡 Example: "Share a non-fiction piece by another writer that inspired you recently. I loved Jia Tolentino's latest essay."
How do you handle sensitive topics in your writing?
💡 Example: "How do you handle sensitive topics in your writing? I use trigger warnings when needed."
What is the most surprising thing you have learned in your research?
💡 Example: "What is the most surprising thing you have learned in your research? I discovered a hidden family secret."
Do you write best in the morning, afternoon, or evening?
💡 Example: "Do you write best in the morning, afternoon, or evening? I am a night owl."
Share a favorite opening line from your own writing.
💡 Example: "Share a favorite opening line from your own writing. Mine is 'I never planned to become an expert in wildfires.'"
What is one myth about non-fiction writing you would like to bust?
💡 Example: "What is one myth about non-fiction writing you would like to bust? That it cannot be creative."
How do you track your sources and citations?
💡 Example: "How do you track your sources and citations? I use Zotero."
Describe a breakthrough moment you had while writing non-fiction.
💡 Example: "Describe a breakthrough moment you had while writing non-fiction. I finally found my voice after three drafts."
What publishing platform do you prefer for non-fiction and why?
💡 Example: "What publishing platform do you prefer for non-fiction and why? Medium works best for me."
How do you determine your target audience before starting a project?
💡 Example: "How do you determine your target audience before starting a project? I build a reader persona."
Share a tip for finding the right title for a non-fiction piece.
💡 Example: "Share a tip for finding the right title for a non-fiction piece. I use keyword brainstorming."
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
💡 Example: "What is your favorite part of the writing process? I love first drafts."
How do you stay motivated through long non-fiction projects?
💡 Example: "How do you stay motivated through long non-fiction projects? I set weekly word count goals."
What is one question you always ask your sources?
💡 Example: "What is one question you always ask your sources? I always ask what they wish more people knew."
Have you tried writing about a completely new subject? How did it go?
💡 Example: "Have you tried writing about a completely new subject? How did it go? I switched from health to tech."
What tool or software has improved your writing or workflow the most?
💡 Example: "What tool or software has improved your writing or workflow the most? Scrivener changed everything for me."
Share one small habit that helps you write consistently.
💡 Example: "Share one small habit that helps you write consistently. I start each day with 10 minutes of freewriting."
If you could give your younger writer self one piece of advice, what would it be?
💡 Example: "If you could give your younger writer self one piece of advice, what would it be? Trust your instincts."
What is a non-traditional source you have used for research?
💡 Example: "What is a non-traditional source you have used for research? I once used Reddit threads."
How do you know when a piece is ready for publication?
💡 Example: "How do you know when a piece is ready for publication? I set it aside for a week, then review with fresh eyes."
Choose a template that matches your group's mood or current discussions. Customize details to fit trending topics or recent posts. Post at varied times to reach different time zones, and consider pinning your favorite questions to spark ongoing conversation. Encourage replies by tagging members or sharing your own answer to start the thread.
On all platforms, keep questions concise and easy to read. Use formatting like line breaks or bolding for clarity if supported. Tagging or mentioning members who may have unique insights increases responses. Schedule posts during peak activity hours and follow up with a summary or shoutout to active participants.
When creating Community Question posts, consider asking members about their favorite techniques for verifying information, challenges they've faced with unreliable sources, or processes for distinguishing fact from opinion. These questions address a core challenge in non-fiction writing and invite writers to share experiences and advice, fostering deeper industry-specific engagement.
Different non-fiction subgenres require unique approaches to structure. Tailor your Community Question posts by prompting members to compare outlining methods for memoir (such as emotional arc mapping) versus investigative journalism (like chronology or thematic grouping). This specificity encourages nuanced conversations and knowledge sharing relevant to diverse non-fiction forms.
Pose scenario-based questions, for example: 'How do you decide what to include or omit from interviews with vulnerable subjects?' or 'What are your best practices for obtaining informed consent?' These prompts invite practical, real-world advice on ethical challenges specific to non-fiction writing, making the discussions especially valuable to your members.
Try framing questions like, 'How do you maintain your unique voice while ensuring strict adherence to facts?' or 'Share a time you struggled with narrative embellishment—how did you resolve it?' These industry-specific queries encourage writers to discuss the art and craft of non-fiction, focusing on a dilemma they regularly face.
Ask members to share their go-to methods for finding and integrating primary sources or to debate the merits of primary versus secondary research in particular genres like biography or history. This approach drives conversations that are deeply relevant to non-fiction writers and helps members refine their research skills.
Focus questions on industry hurdles such as, 'What elements make a non-fiction proposal stand out to agents?' or 'How do you tailor a pitch for narrative non-fiction versus a how-to book?' These targeted prompts invite members to share hard-earned insights, offering peer-to-peer support on non-fiction publishing practices.
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