7 Tips to Tap Into
the Book Writer Inside You
Your readers just want solutions to their questions and challenges.
If you have the answers, you can be 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...
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 can be 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.
MORE BOOK WRITING TIPS
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© Earma Brown, 13 year author and business owner
helps small business owners and writers who want to write their
best book now! Author of “Write
Your Best Book Now”, she mentors other writers and business
professionals through her monthly ezine “iScribe” at
How to Write
a Book Tips Subscribe now at
iscribe@writetowin.org
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