Juliet Nicolson’s Thirteen Secrets to writing non-fiction

According to a leading therapist most of us are keeping thirteen secrets at any one time. Here are my thirteen writing secrets.

1. Write with a view

Write facing a window, ideally with a view. The rising sun and the falling dusk give rhythm to a long writing day.

2. Go back to the outline

The original proposal that landed a commission remains an invaluable, legitimate crib-sheet of your own making.

3. Your daily goal is your own

Tell no-one about the modesty of the planned daily output. It’s more satisfying to exceed a word count than fall short

4. Stay focused

Hide from the chatty postman. Do not let distraction tempt.

5. Lean on your agent

Your agent is unconditionally there for you, cheer-leading and asking difficult questions on your behalf.

6. Take restorative breaks

Fifteen minutes at lunchtime in the open air, even when it’s snowing and you REALLY don’t want to leave a warm desk feels like a miraculous re-boot.

7. Trust your vision

Stay true to your style while respecting and welcoming your editor’s invaluable guidance.

8. Know when to stop

Research can feel terrifyingly infinite. It’s ok to stop.

9. Find a trusted sounding baord

Find your secret chapter-by-chapter first reader. Even when my brother’s ‘praise sandwich’ consists of two breaded ‘wonderfuls’ with an ‘indecipherable’ providing the jam, I trust him.

10. Don't be scared of the copy-edit

Don’t cry at copy-edit stage.  Copy editors are on your side.

11. Ignore your inner critic

Write for yourself and don’t give up. Banish the spectre of a packed Wembley Stadium shouting ‘rubbish’ in unison. If you are interested your reader will be.

12. Revisit what you've done so far

Re-reading yesterday’s words, especially out loud, are surprisingly pride-inducing after a night apart.

13. Enjoy the process

The privilege of being invited to write a book about something I care about is second to none.