In a post today ( in BBC News ), discusses the government of India’s strong interest in returning to the expansion levels of yesteryear. With a former growth rate of around nine percent annually, India’s latest growth rate has been around 6.5%+ recently. Actually, 6.5% looks great compared to many countries around the world for [...]
Last week, I opened with choosing a specific topic for a book. It’s important to passionate about the topic/genre you choose because there will be many hours of research, writing and marketing involved with your topic choice…be happy and passionate from the beginning. On the last step on how to write a book later this week, I will reveal a major development in books that will expand an author’s potential audience exponentially…stay tuned.
Throughout this presentation on “How to Write a Book,” I write from the viewpoint of a nonfiction book. For fiction writers, the steps are similar, though fiction writers need to think about “plot,” “characters,” and “unique angles.” Let’s go to the next step that will help to keep you focused and organized while writing a book – the outline.
Outline
1) General List – Make a general list of the main topics (and sub-topics) you want to cover in your book. Brainstorm here and don’t think about organizing thoughts yet. I like to have a WORD file started with a working title of my book to record this list.
2) General Pages – Introduction, Title Page, “About the Author,” Addendums, etc. are examples of general pages to list within the proper place in the list on step one.
3) Working Outline – Merging the first two steps above will provide a working outline resembling a working Table of Contents (currently called: “Contents”). Books routinely have 10-14 (some more) chapters. Key is to be succinct with writing, while covering the books’ subject completely.
4) Add-ins – Make a list of any add-ins (pictures, shadow boxes, images, etc.). Assembling add-ins from the outline stage will allow an author or publisher to visualize a completed book with chapters and visuals.
During the outline stage, do not be concerned with page counts, marketing, etc. Concentrate on recording all your thoughts and putting these thoughts in a logical outline format…this will speed up your writing and keep focus.
Mike McCann
Mike-at-GlobalBusinessCafe.com
Tags: how to write, outline, write a book, writing
You must be logged in to post a comment.