Non-Fiction: The Finish Line

If you've been following my Monday posts for the past few weeks you've seen my attempt to offer insight into my process for researching a non-fiction project. STEP ONE, select a topic.  STEP TWO use primary and secondary sources to gather the necessary information about your chosen topic. STEP THREE organize the information you've gathered. STEP FOUR determine what will stay and what will go. And now with the finish line in sight I have to actually create my manuscript.

STEP FIVE: PUTTING THE PUZZLE PIECES TOGETHER

In this particular scenario I have three things coming together like a perfect storm to make this historical event happen. But which do I put first? Which comes next? What do I throw into the mix last? Everything has to fit together like puzzle pieces or my story will fall short. 

I've decided I'm going to take a quick chapter to focus on each part of the triangle and then use another chapter to talk about the event itself. Then another chapter to talk about what happened after the event and any long term affects. I will have some sidebar items, possibly glossary and activity page. 

If I'm lucky, the puzzle pieces will fit together perfectly and oh what a pretty picture book story it will make!