Harper True: Why I Write by Eve and Timothy Haas

Nonfiction is the real world that we live in, and can be about our past, present and futures. Timothy Haas, my son and my collaborator, is a film writer, and we share a common approach to nonfiction writing, despite the difference of medium. We are both compelled by the real drama that drives everyday lives, seeing everyone as a book, a story. People are characters – each life, to a degree, is a thriller, a unique story: gripping, unpredictable and often a rollercoaster ride. Think of life like a film: when you’re writing imagine yourself as that fly on the wall. This is how I approach a real character story of nonfiction, burying myself in the hearts and minds of the characters to create a profile. As the writer, I become that person. To understand what makes them tick, I put myself into imaginary and impossible situations – I need to understand the cause and effect of a character's predicament, to understand how the circumstances have affected his/her life.

We hope the effect a true story has on a readership is entertaining and informative, but essentially plot driven – just like a 'who dunnit'. The characters will often have been shaped by events both good and bad. Sometimes it can be about survival – whether the character lives or dies – making for compelling story-telling and leaving the reader with their heart in their mouth. The readers should want to root for a character, cheer them on, and I believe they need to know what drives those characters. Readers should also be able to understand real stories in the context of their own lives: the crushing impact of 'and we think we have problems' or the realisation of ‘how lucky we are with what we've got’. That is how non fiction creates a book for me.

It is very helpful, when first embarking on a project, to work out the character’s goals and to look for redemption of some kind, to give hope even if the story is a tragic one. We always test out the temperature of our work with friends, family or even strangers. Think of slipping it in as a verbal pitch – the journey from the beginning is carried by my gut feeling, after all it's my idea, but it is all about gauging reaction too – this is effectively market research. Then on to finding a publisher – firstly find an agent if at all possible. This can be just as hard but is invaluable.

Of course non fiction is peculiar to the relationship that the author has with the subject – it may be very internalised, a family story, that will heighten the emotional dramatic ride. This happened to me, with THE SECRETS OF THE NOTEBOOK – or it may be an independent story that has been researched and written. Therefore it will depend on how well you get to know and research that character, and how you write about a theme or story that will sell it. Getting published is as much about the impact of your writing, as the subject itself – it has to stand out to be noticed.

Having said all this, think positive: your story will be published, you can realise your dreams. That attitude will condition you to give your story the best chance of being published. When you start a creative relationship with your publisher (after the business has been agreed) and the real process begins, a willingness to keep every creative door open with your editorial team will help from the start as it has done with us – thinking laterally, being open-minded when discussing objectives, being guided by your editor or creative director's feedback, all of this will be invaluable. That is why the publishing process for us with THE SECRETS OF THE NOTEBOOK has been a thoroughly fulfilling and rewarding process. Have it in your mind to make this your first of many successful and endearing collaborations that will reward you and your readership - with many years of bestselling and award-winning books ahead. Good luck!

EVE HAAS and TIMOTHY HAAS