What Is The Easiest Type of Book to Write?

In this blog post, you’ll discover the easiest type of book to write.

Your journey to becoming a published author starts by identifying the type of book you intend to write.

And while there are a gazillion choices, you’re in no position to pick anything that doesn’t fit your niche.

But perhaps more importantly, an author who’s just getting started will want to be on the lookout for the type of book that’s both within their reach and most likely to help them achieve their goal.

So, what’s the “easiest” type of book to write? Well, there isn’t one definitive answer. For one, books are labelled as either non-fiction or fiction. Non-fiction books, on first impressions, are easier to write since the author draws on experience, expertise, and research.

On the other hand, fiction books warrant more creativity and imagination for the reason that they usually revolve around an imaginative plot with characters.

Another decisive factor is the length of the manuscript you hope to write. Longer books need extensive research and effort. Of course, short books may be difficult to write if the content or subject is complex.

Nevertheless, writing a shorter book means you could finish it in less time than a lengthy one, making it an ideal option for many aspiring authors.

The most obvious example is that of a short story or a novella. If you hope to become a novelist, it makes perfect sense to start practicing writing short stories.

That said, we’ll have to distinguish fiction and non-fiction again to know which book is the easiest to write.

Defining Non-Fiction

At its core, non-fiction refers to any content that presents factual information or true accounts, as opposed to the imaginative worlds of fiction.

It covers everything from biographies, essays, journalistic pieces, to self-help guides, and educational texts.

The primary objective of non-fiction is to inform, educate, describe, or argue factual events, ideas, or concepts.

The Many Faces of Non-Fiction

Biographies and Autobiographies: These chronicle the life stories of individuals, whether written by another (biography) or the individual themselves (autobiography). They offer insights into personal experiences, challenges, and lessons learned.

Self-Help and How-to Guides: These books aim to guide readers through processes or personal development. They might give advice on anything from improving relationships to building a garden shed.

Travel and Nature Writing: These works explore different landscapes, cultures, and the natural world, often combining personal experiences with factual details about places and events.

Essays and Opinions: Shorter in form than most books, essays provide insights, arguments, or reflections on a myriad of topics.

Journalistic Accounts: These are news stories, features, and investigative pieces that aim to present current events and realities in an objective or analytical manner.

Research and Academic Papers: Detailed explorations of specific subjects, often based on studies or extensive research.

The Importance of Non-Fiction

Education: Non-fiction educates readers on a variety of subjects, providing them with knowledge that can be applied in real life.

Awareness: It brings light to important issues, societal changes, historical events, and breakthroughs.

Inspiration: Reading about real-life heroes, explorations, and achievements can inspire individuals to pursue their dreams or face their challenges head-on.

Cultural Insight: Non-fiction provides a window into different cultures, traditions, and perspectives, promoting understanding and empathy.

The Fine Line Between Fact and Interpretation

While non-fiction presents facts, it’s essential to remember that the presentation or interpretation of those facts might still be influenced by an author’s perspective or biases.

This is why it’s vital for readers to approach non-fiction critically, cross-referencing information, and being open to multiple viewpoints.

Is Writing Non-Fiction Easy?

You’re looking at autobiographies, self-help books, how-to guides, and academic texts in the realm of non-fiction. Each type comes with certain challenges.

• Autobiographies: Not all autobiographies are easy to write because they require three indispensable elements you must muster as a writer: honest introspection, a clear recall of past events, and the ability to narrate your life in a way that piques interest. It can be emotionally draining to revisit certain periods of your life, and the demand for accuracy hands out an additional layer of difficulty.
• Self-Help Books: Self-help books are likewise challenging since they require a deep understanding of the subject matter and an ability to simplify complex ideas for readers. As an author, your job includes affording actionable advice based on research or personal experience. As such, achieving this balance of credibility and readability is tricky.
• How-To Guides: These books are centred around teaching a skill or process. The challenge is to break down complex actions into manageable steps by way of clear and concise language. Ensuring the content is accurate, easy to follow, and genuinely helpful will definitely take considerable effort.
• Academic Texts: These are perhaps the most challenging to write. They demand rigorous research, a formal writing style, and comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter. They must also meet high standards of academic integrity and scholarly discourse.

Considering these factors, the easiest among the four is arguably the how-to guide.

While it does demand some high level of discernment of a process or skill, it doesn’t necessitate the emotional depth of an autobiography, the psychological insights of a self-help book, or the rigorous academic standards of an academic text.

Its primary focus is providing clear, practical instructions, meaning it’s a more straightforward and accessible form of non-fiction writing.

Defining Fiction

At its essence, fiction denotes literary works that are born from the imagination and are not strictly based on fact.

These stories might draw inspiration from real events or personal experiences, but they primarily delve into invented scenarios, characters, and worlds.

The Diverse Faces of Fiction

Novels: Extended prose narratives that explore intricate plots, characters, and themes.

They range from historical tales, science fiction, to contemporary dramas.

Short Stories: Brief narratives that often focus on a singular theme, character, or event.

Their concise nature makes them a perfect medium for powerful, focused storytelling.

Fantasy: A sub-genre that revolves around magical elements, mythical creatures, and often takes place in made-up universes.

Science Fiction: This genre imagines futures shaped by technological and scientific advancements, often delving into societal implications.

Drama: Written to be performed, dramas use dialogues and stage directions to tell stories, often focusing on conflicts and emotional dynamics.

Poetry: Though not always fictional, many poems weave tales or describe imaginary scenarios, emotions, and worlds.

Why Fiction Captivates Us

Escape from Reality: Fiction provides a haven from the mundane, offering an escape into different worlds, times, and lives.

Empathy and Understanding: By living vicariously through characters, we gain insights into diverse perspectives, experiences, and emotions, broadening our understanding of humanity.

Addressing Big Questions: Fiction often grapples with profound philosophical, moral, and existential questions, prompting readers to introspect and ponder.

Emotional Catharsis: Engaging with fictional characters and their journeys can elicit strong emotions, providing an outlet for feelings and fostering emotional growth.

The Thin Boundary Between Fiction and Reality

While fiction arises from imagination, it often mirrors or critiques society, making it resonant and relevant.

Many fictional works are rooted in historical events, societal issues, or personal experiences, blurring the lines between fact and fabrication.

Is Writing Fiction Easy?

Fiction warrants creativity and an incredible penchant for imagination.

History’s most successful fiction writers have one thing in common: they can create stories that transport readers into another realm.

However, there are some types of fiction books which may be easier for new authors to write:

• Short Stories: Writing a short story is ideal for practicing your skills as an aspiring novelist. They don’t require as much plotting and character development as novels, and they hone your prose well. Short stories are a staple of magazines, so you can even try submitting your work to publications after polishing it.
• Novellas: A novella is a type of short story that’s longer than a standard one and shorter than a novel, usually between 10,000 and 50,000 words long. They’re a practical starting point in your career as an author, with a focus on developing characters in greater detail. The idea is to convince readers not just about the substance within the story but about the journey itself.
• Genre Fiction: Genre fiction, i.e., sci-fi, romance, or mystery, has predefined conventions and tropes that provide a structure for new authors. Readers of genre fiction have certain expectations, and you use this to guide the writing process. On the flip side, these same conventions could become a constraint, and you will need to find a balance between meeting expectations and offering something fresh and unique.
• Children’s Books: Children’s books are less complex to write because they’re typically shorter and use simpler language. The subject matter isn’t complicated, which means that you don’t need to be an expert in the field. They often incorporate illustrations, which help tell the story. However, creating an age-appropriate narrative that holds the interest of a young reader still requires creativity and an understanding of this particular audience.

Of the four types of fiction, the shortest one – a short story – would be the easiest for a new author to write. It is relatively quick to put together and allows you to explore different writing techniques with an achievable word limit.

There will always be challenges along the way, even with the short story format.

For instance, you’re forced to develop an interesting plot on a rather congested canvas, but the rewards make it worthwhile.

Understanding Your Genre

Over time, you’ll learn the ropes of writing an entire manuscript and then favour some genres over others.

It’s an inherent feature of any art. So before you set out to write the easiest book, try to identify the genre that fits your style and skillset.

There’s nothing wrong about aiming for the easy option. But you must acknowledge that there’s no such thing as an effortless book.

Choosing the right genre will always be integral to the book-writing process. This decision is influenced by a host of factors, i.e., personal interests, writing style, target audience, and demand.

Interests and Experiences

Your interests and life experiences are pivotal in selecting a genre and the probable success or failure.

Your enthusiasm will likely translate into your writing if you’re passionate about a particular subject.

At the same time, if you’ve experienced something unique or have expertise in a certain field, you might find writing a book on that topic easier and more rewarding.

Writing Style

Your writing style will likewise dictate the genre you intend to explore.

If you’re naturally good at creating intricate plot twists and suspense, you might want to consider writing thriller or mystery novels.

On the other hand, if you excel at describing characters’ thoughts and feelings, you’re better suited to character-driven genres like literary fiction or romance.

Target Audience 

Knowing your target audience is paramount. Different genres appeal to different age groups, cultures, and demographics. For instance, if you wish to write for young adults, you will be looking at highly specific genres, i.e., young adult romance, fantasy, or dystopian fiction – all of which are popular in this demographic.

Market Trends

Market demand and trends will impact your genre choice. If there’s a high demand for a genre, and you’re comfortable writing in it, this might be a viable option. However, be aware that market trends will change quickly, and what’s popular today might not be tomorrow.

Should You Stick to One Genre When Writing a Book?

As a budding author, a critical decision you’ll have to face is whether to stick to one genre or jump from one to another. Both paths carry certain advantages and downsides, ultimately coming down to your comfort level, strength, and personal aspirations.

Sticking to one genre corresponds to building a strong brand and reader base.

If you consistently write in a single genre, readers know what to expect from you, and the potential for them to become loyal followers is quite high.

This approach is convenient on your part as you can muster your strengths and passions, allowing you to write books that ideally represent who you are as a person.

However, the downside is that it may limit your creative range and prospective market. You may also risk being typecast, preventing you from exploring other genres and styles that might interest you. This could come as a particularly risky gamble if you’re hoping to cash in on the popularity of a particular genre that might not last for long.

Meanwhile, writing across multiple genres epitomizes your versatility and attracts a broader audience. It’s an approach that encourages creative freedom, allowing you to explore different styles, themes, and voices. Jumping from one genre to another keeps your writing process fresh and exciting; it will even help you grow and develop as a writer.

Nonetheless, learning the conventions and expectations of each new genre will take time. No matter how brilliant you are as a writer, you never can become an expert in a genre you’re new to overnight.

Readers who love your work in one genre may not necessarily follow you to another, and building a unified brand becomes an uphill climb. But it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. There’ve been countless authors who’ve successfully crossed genres and still managed to keep their readers.

Overcoming First-Day Jitters

Even the most talented writers seldom escape the clutches of nervousness and apprehension in writing their first book.

It’s a common yet completely avoidable hurdle, and there are ways to ease the anxiety of sitting down in front of a blank page.

This anxiety is typically attributed to a lack of conviction while also taking in the pressure to meet expectations.

More so, there’s always the lingering fear of criticism or failure.

But then again, these feelings are simply part of the process, even for the most seasoned authors.

Overcoming these anxieties requires a combination of self-belief, discipline, and a willingness to take risks.

Believe in your story and remember why you wanted to write it in the first place. You should know by now that conviction is the way to overcome doubts and maintain focus successfully.

One way to defeat first-day jitters is to let loose any preconceived notions and let the story take its course. Don’t think too hard or strategize your ending; it’s a surefire way to kill creativity.

Creating the perfect space for writing helps a lot, too.

Find the right environment for you – your bedroom, separate room with soundproofing, or anywhere else that best feeds your muse. You can never underestimate the power of comfort and familiarity while you write.

Small Goals, Big Rewards

Creating small, achievable goals will help you stay motivated.

Instead of tackling the whole book in one go, break down the writing process into smaller chunks and celebrate the little wins as you go.

When you reach each milestone, take a break and savour your success before moving on to the next task.

Having something tangible to show for your efforts is a means of building momentum. In other words, it helps you move forward.

Keeping your ultimate goal in sight makes sense, but a rigid focus on what’s at the end of the tunnel could be detrimental to your progress. With tunnel vision, you fail to value the smaller yet significant milestones that make up your larger goal.

It’ll generate feelings of being overwhelmed and disheartened, more so if the end goal seems too distant or unattainable. This usually happens when you suffer from writer’s block or are distracted by other things.

You’ll easily give up because you feel too tired to reach a finish line that’s still a hundred miles away.

A narrow focus on the ultimate reward will make you overlook the value of the writing process itself.

The lessons learned, the skills developed, and the personal growth experienced along the way are invaluable.

They provide a rich tapestry of experience that’ll pave the way for you to become a better writer.