Have
you given up on writing your book? Don't give up! Others have
taken their dream off the shelf this year. You can too! First,
let's get rid of the top two book writer blocks. You don't like
to write that much and think you have to hire a ghostwriter.
You hate research and think you have to do tons of research.
The good news is you don't have to hire a ghostwriter or do
tons of research.
Your readers
just want solutions to their questions and challenges. If you
have the answers, you are on your way to writing an easy to
read, well organized, compelling book. Don't hold back any longer;
tap into your natural book writer. Your audience will love reading
your book full of solutions to their challenges.
Here are
some tips to help you tap into the natural book writer inside
you:
1.
List top questions and topics of your audience.
For instance,
if you want to write a book to help those in your work field,
what questions do you hear the most in your daily work? What
concerns and topics always come up in your area of expertise?
In a book about dieting versus life style eating changes, my
dietician friend asked questions like: where are you now in
dieting? Why do you go from diet to diet with little success?
What are your weight goals? Her topics included 7 solutions
through life style eating changes and exercise.
2.
Write the number one challenge your book will solve.
Successful
book writers focus on one topic per book. Each chapter of information
must support this number one challenge. Again, my dietician
friend's audience number one challenge was how to lose weight
naturally through lifestyle change eating and exercise without
pills, surgeries, etc. All of her chapters are solutions supporting
that one goal.
3.
Develop a working title.
Speak
to your audience in this title. In a few words let them know
how your book will help them. "Lose Weight Naturally in
7 Easy Steps" could have been a working title for my dietician
friend. Even if this working title is not quite the one you
end up with. It will serve to help keep you inspired and your
writing focused. Focused writing becomes a compelling book.
If your writing becomes scattered and unfocused your reader's
attention may scatter as well. If you lose their attention,
they may never finish your book.
4.
Group your top questions and topics into categories.
Your categories
are actually your chapters. Give each category/chapter a working
title. When you start writing the solutions to each chapter,
you don't have to start with chapter one. Start with whatever
topic you feel passion bubbling at the moment. Better yet, start
with the easiest to build momentum. Load benefits into your
chapter titles.
5.
Write your chapter introduction.
The introduction
should include a hook and a short statement about why your audience
will read the chapter (thesis statement). The hook need only
be 1-2 sentences like a powerful quote or 2-3 questions that
lead the reader into the content. Though short, your thesis
statement should include benefits. Remember keep answering the
question for your reader, "What's in it for me?"
6.
Assign one question per chapter.
Focus on
one question or challenge in each chapter. After asking the
question, write the solution with your tips, how-tos, inspiration
and stories. This will become the bulk of your chapter. Don't
forget to use engagement and interest tools like headings, sub-headings,
list, pull quotes, side-bars, worksheets to keep your reader
engaged and reading. A straight page of text may put your reader
to sleep. When they wake up they may never pick your book up
again.
7.
Write your chapter ending.
Your non-fiction
chapters should always have a summary. Give each chapter an
ending of about the same length. After the ending, you can include
action steps or thought prompters followed by a 1-2 sentence
enticer statement leading your reader to the next chapter. Make
it your mission to get your reader to want to keep reading to
the next chapter. Include a couple benefits that they can look
forward to in the next chapter.
If
you don't use the above principles, you may be this time next
year still wondering if you can make your book dream a reality.
My vote says you can do it. You know the problems your audience
face; now write the solution. Your audience will reward you
by buying your easy to read, compelling book and telling all
their friends about it. Go ahead tap into the book writer inside
you and make your dream a reality.
| About The Author
© Earma Brown, 12 year author, business owner, web
developer
helps service business owners, professionals and writers
who want to write their best book now! Earma mentors other
writers and business professionals through her bi-monthly
ezine iScribe Send any email to iscribe@bookwritinghelp.com
for free 7 lesson mini-course Jumpstart Writing Your Best
Book Now or visit her at http://www.bookwritinghelp.com
for more book writing tips.
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This article was posted on July 2, 2007 |