Tired of trying to spark meaningful discussions in your non-fiction writing community? Sharing expert insights connects members to trusted voices, inspiring participation and deeper learning. Use these ready-to-go templates to educate, prompt conversation, and build a more engaged community.
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Expert insight posts tap into the credibility and authority of established voices in the non-fiction writing world. By presenting respected viewpoints, these posts lower the barrier for members to contribute, as they invite agreement, debate, or personal reflections. This approach not only validates your community as a hub for quality advice but also stimulates thoughtful engagement.
Psychologically, referencing expert wisdom encourages members to reflect on their own experiences and compare them to those of professionals. It creates a safe space for learning and respectful debate, which in turn fosters a stronger sense of belonging and intellectual growth within the group. Members are more likely to engage when the conversation is anchored by recognizable or authoritative sources.
Author Malcolm Gladwell believes research is the backbone of compelling non-fiction. Do you agree?
💡 Example: "Author Malcolm Gladwell believes research is the backbone of compelling non-fiction. Do you agree?"
Mary Karr says honesty is the writer's greatest asset. How do you practice honesty in your work?
💡 Example: "Mary Karr says honesty is the writer's greatest asset. How do you practice honesty in your work?"
Joan Didion wrote to understand what she thought. Do you use writing for self-discovery?
💡 Example: "Joan Didion wrote to understand what she thought. Do you use writing for self-discovery?"
Jon Krakauer emphasizes storytelling in non-fiction. How do you balance fact and narrative?
💡 Example: "Jon Krakauer emphasizes storytelling in non-fiction. How do you balance fact and narrative?"
Susan Orlean says curiosity drives her writing. What role does curiosity play in your projects?
💡 Example: "Susan Orlean says curiosity drives her writing. What role does curiosity play in your projects?"
Expert Steven Pinker warns against jargon. How do you keep your writing accessible?
💡 Example: "Expert Steven Pinker warns against jargon. How do you keep your writing accessible?"
Anne Lamott's advice is to write 'shitty first drafts.' Do you embrace messy beginnings?
💡 Example: "Anne Lamott's advice is to write 'shitty first drafts.' Do you embrace messy beginnings?"
David McCullough suggests reading your work aloud. Have you tried this editing technique?
💡 Example: "David McCullough suggests reading your work aloud. Have you tried this editing technique?"
Elizabeth Gilbert credits persistence for her success. How do you stay motivated?
💡 Example: "Elizabeth Gilbert credits persistence for her success. How do you stay motivated?"
Bill Bryson finds humor essential in non-fiction. Do you use humor in your writing?
💡 Example: "Bill Bryson finds humor essential in non-fiction. Do you use humor in your writing?"
Maya Angelou believed in the power of truth. How do you ensure accuracy in your work?
💡 Example: "Maya Angelou believed in the power of truth. How do you ensure accuracy in your work?"
Expert Roy Peter Clark says 'omit needless words.' What is your editing mantra?
💡 Example: "Expert Roy Peter Clark says 'omit needless words.' What is your editing mantra?"
Rebecca Solnit values research from multiple sources. How do you vet your information?
💡 Example: "Rebecca Solnit values research from multiple sources. How do you vet your information?"
Ta-Nehisi Coates says writing is rewiring. Has writing changed how you think?
💡 Example: "Ta-Nehisi Coates says writing is rewiring. Has writing changed how you think?"
Tracy Kidder encourages deep immersion in topics. How deep do you go before you write?
💡 Example: "Tracy Kidder encourages deep immersion in topics. How deep do you go before you write?"
Expert Cheryl Strayed believes vulnerability connects readers. Do you share personal stories?
💡 Example: "Expert Cheryl Strayed believes vulnerability connects readers. Do you share personal stories?"
Simon Winchester says context makes facts meaningful. How do you build context for your audience?
💡 Example: "Simon Winchester says context makes facts meaningful. How do you build context for your audience?"
Expert Atul Gawande values clear explanations. What helps you explain complex ideas?
💡 Example: "Expert Atul Gawande values clear explanations. What helps you explain complex ideas?"
David Sedaris uses observation as inspiration. What details spark your creativity?
💡 Example: "David Sedaris uses observation as inspiration. What details spark your creativity?"
Expert Roxane Gay says voice is everything. How did you find your writing voice?
💡 Example: "Expert Roxane Gay says voice is everything. How did you find your writing voice?"
John McPhee outlines before drafting. Do you outline, or write freely?
💡 Example: "John McPhee outlines before drafting. Do you outline, or write freely?"
Expert Susan Cain highlights the power of quiet. Do you write better in silence or with background noise?
💡 Example: "Expert Susan Cain highlights the power of quiet. Do you write better in silence or with background noise?"
Robert Caro says patience is key to great non-fiction. How do you pace your projects?
💡 Example: "Robert Caro says patience is key to great non-fiction. How do you pace your projects?"
Expert Samin Nosrat believes in engaging all senses. Do you use sensory details in your writing?
💡 Example: "Expert Samin Nosrat believes in engaging all senses. Do you use sensory details in your writing?"
Gay Talese focuses on the power of observation. What is your favorite observation trick?
💡 Example: "Gay Talese focuses on the power of observation. What is your favorite observation trick?"
Expert Barbara Ehrenreich advises to question assumptions. How do you challenge your own biases?
💡 Example: "Expert Barbara Ehrenreich advises to question assumptions. How do you challenge your own biases?"
Helen Macdonald blends memoir and nature writing. Do you blend genres in your work?
💡 Example: "Helen Macdonald blends memoir and nature writing. Do you blend genres in your work?"
Expert Sebastian Junger stresses the importance of empathy. How do you connect to your subjects?
💡 Example: "Expert Sebastian Junger stresses the importance of empathy. How do you connect to your subjects?"
Isabel Wilkerson says stories shape history. How do you choose which stories to tell?
💡 Example: "Isabel Wilkerson says stories shape history. How do you choose which stories to tell?"
Expert Erik Larson insists on vivid detail. What is your favorite way to bring scenes to life?
💡 Example: "Expert Erik Larson insists on vivid detail. What is your favorite way to bring scenes to life?"
Expert Jessica Bruder values immersive reporting. How do you immerse yourself in your topics?
💡 Example: "Expert Jessica Bruder values immersive reporting. How do you immerse yourself in your topics?"
Expert Susan Sontag said good writing is a form of thinking. What does writing teach you?
💡 Example: "Expert Susan Sontag said good writing is a form of thinking. What does writing teach you?"
Expert John Hersey avoided sensationalism. How do you handle sensitive topics?
💡 Example: "Expert John Hersey avoided sensationalism. How do you handle sensitive topics?"
Expert Leslie Jamison values emotional honesty. Is emotion a key part of your writing?
💡 Example: "Expert Leslie Jamison values emotional honesty. Is emotion a key part of your writing?"
Expert Oliver Sacks combined science and story. Do you connect different disciplines in your work?
💡 Example: "Expert Oliver Sacks combined science and story. Do you connect different disciplines in your work?"
Expert Gretchen Rubin stresses the value of routines. Do you have a writing routine?
💡 Example: "Expert Gretchen Rubin stresses the value of routines. Do you have a writing routine?"
Expert Tim Ferriss says feedback is crucial for improvement. How do you seek or use feedback?
💡 Example: "Expert Tim Ferriss says feedback is crucial for improvement. How do you seek or use feedback?"
Expert Anne Fadiman believes collaboration sparks ideas. Have you co-written or partnered on projects?
💡 Example: "Expert Anne Fadiman believes collaboration sparks ideas. Have you co-written or partnered on projects?"
Expert John Jeremiah Sullivan suggests reading widely. What is the last non-fiction book that inspired you?
💡 Example: "Expert John Jeremiah Sullivan suggests reading widely. What is the last non-fiction book that inspired you?"
Expert Hope Jahren says passion brings writing alive. What topic are you most passionate about?
💡 Example: "Expert Hope Jahren says passion brings writing alive. What topic are you most passionate about?"
Expert Cal Newport advocates for deep work. Do you set aside distraction-free time for writing?
💡 Example: "Expert Cal Newport advocates for deep work. Do you set aside distraction-free time for writing?"
Expert Laura Hillenbrand struggled with health while writing. Do you write through challenges?
💡 Example: "Expert Laura Hillenbrand struggled with health while writing. Do you write through challenges?"
To use these templates, first select an expert or quote relevant to your members' interests. Pair the quote with a question or invitation to share experiences. Post during times when members are most active to maximize engagement. Encourage respectful discussion and highlight thoughtful responses to keep the conversation going. Rotate between different experts and topics to maintain variety and ongoing interest.
These templates are effective across all platforms. Adapt the length to suit platform norms, use bold or italics for the expert's name or quote if available, and encourage replies with simple questions or emoji reactions. On forums, pin or feature posts for visibility. On chat-based platforms, follow up with prompts to keep the conversation flowing.
These templates include targeted prompts that help you invite experts who specialize in various non-fiction formats, such as narrative nonfiction or instructional guides. Use template questions to encourage experts to share strategies for outlining, organizing research materials, and maintaining clarity in different structural approaches. This allows your group members to directly compare outlining methods and troubleshoot structure-specific challenges.
Leverage the template’s ‘Source Credibility’ section to create threads where experts address best practices for fact-checking, interviewing sources, and managing citations. For example, customize prompts to ask about handling conflicting accounts or using primary vs. secondary sources. This helps members navigate the unique verification demands of non-fiction writing.
Yes, the templates feature suggested question frameworks for inviting experts who have navigated ethical gray areas, such as writing about living people, handling traumatic stories, or balancing truth with privacy. Use the dedicated ‘Sensitive Topics’ prompts to help writers ask nuanced questions about consent, legal considerations, and impact on subjects.
The templates provide customizable ‘Publishing Pathways’ sections where you can ask experts about pitching book proposals, choosing between traditional and hybrid publishers, or targeting specialized presses. This allows group members to get tailored advice on pitching non-fiction manuscripts, writing query letters, and understanding submission requirements unique to the genre.
Expert AMA templates include ‘Research Challenges’ prompts designed to elicit expert insight on conducting deep-dive investigations, sourcing archival materials, managing interview logistics, and building timelines for complex research projects. These features help your group engage with experts who can share solutions specific to non-fiction’s demanding research processes.
The templates include prompt suggestions for bringing in experts who have successfully built audiences around their non-fiction work. Use the ‘Platform & Authority’ section to invite discussions about leveraging expertise, using social proof, building mailing lists, collaborating with organizations, and positioning oneself as a thought leader in a specific non-fiction niche.
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