"I am conscious of trying to stretch the boundaries of non-fiction writing. It's always surprised me how little attention many non-fiction writers pay to the formal aspects of their work"

In this quote, Alain de Botton expresses his awareness of pushing the limitations of non-fiction writing. He acknowledges that lots of non-fiction writers tend to overlook the official elements of their work, which has always shocked him. By "formal elements," he may be describing the structure, style, and language utilized in non-fiction writing. De Botton's statement suggests that he thinks non-fiction writing should not just convey information however also be crafted with attention to information and creativity. He might be promoting for a more artistic approach to non-fiction writing, challenging writers to believe beyond the traditional borders and raise the category to brand-new heights.