7 Common Problems Writers Run Into When Writing a Nonfiction Book

7 Common Problems Writers Run Into When Writing a Nonfiction Book

Writing a nonfiction book can be a deeply rewarding yet incredibly challenging endeavor. Whether you’re writing to educate, inspire, inform, or establish authority in your field, the path from idea to completed manuscript is rarely smooth. Many writers—both new and experienced—face common obstacles that can stall or even derail their projects. Here are some of the most frequent problems nonfiction writers encounter, and how to overcome them.

1. Lack of a Clear Structure

Nonfiction books thrive on clarity and organization. Without a well-defined structure, your book may meander, confuse readers, or fail to deliver on its promise. Many writers dive into writing without outlining their main points, chapters, or logical flow. This leads to repetitive content, or gaps in information.

Solution: Begin with a strong outline. Define your book’s purpose, main arguments, and chapter breakdown. This serves as a roadmap, keeping your writing focused and coherent.

2. Overwhelming Amount of Research

Nonfiction often relies heavily on research, statistics, case studies, or expert quotes. Writers can get bogged down trying to gather every possible piece of information, leading to analysis paralysis.

Solution: Set clear research boundaries before you start. Know what you need to support your argument and stop researching once you have enough credible material. Save additional interesting information for blog posts, sidebars, or appendices.

3. Difficulty Maintaining the Reader’s Interest

Unlike fiction, nonfiction doesn’t have dramatic plot twists or cliffhangers. This makes it more challenging to keep readers engaged, especially when dealing with technical or dense subjects.

Solution: Use storytelling techniques to make your material compelling. Real-life examples, case studies, humor, analogies, and personal anecdotes can bring dry material to life and keep readers turning pages.

4. Perfectionism and Self-Doubt

Many writers struggle with imposter syndrome, especially when writing in their area of expertise. They worry about getting everything right or sounding credible, which can result in endless editing or never finishing the book.

Solution: Accept that your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be written. Hire a professional editor later to refine the manuscript. Trust your knowledge and voice.

5. Lack of Time and Consistency

Finding time to write regularly can be a major challenge, especially for people balancing writing with full-time jobs, families, or businesses. Inconsistent writing habits lead to slow progress and frustration.

Solution: Set realistic writing goals and schedule writing time into your calendar. Whether it’s 500 words a day or one chapter a week, consistency beats intensity when it comes to long-term progress.

6. Scope

Many nonfiction authors start with a clear idea but gradually add more and more content until the book becomes too broad or unfocused. This can dilute the message and overwhelm the reader.

Solution: Stick to your book’s core promise. If you find yourself veering off-topic, consider whether the new material belongs in this book—or in a separate project.

7. Poor Editing and Revising

Some writers rush through the editing process or skip it altogether, resulting in a book that feels unpolished or hard to follow. Self-editing is important, but it can be difficult to spot your own mistakes.

Solution: Revise in stages—first for structure, then for clarity, then for grammar and flow. Consider working with a professional editor who specializes in nonfiction to give your manuscript a final polish.

Writing a nonfiction book is a journey filled with challenges, but none of them are insurmountable. With the right planning, support, and mindset, you can overcome these common problems and create a powerful book that informs and inspires your readers.

Thank-you for reading.

Remember there are many paths back to God.

Follow your own path,

Brenda Marie