Skip to main content

Keeping the Reader Engaged

Whenever I start developing another non-fiction work, I dive into it by focusing on my reader. While creating the blueprint of your book, make sure you capture the needs of your reader. Switching places with them by reflecting on how to meet their needs. 

    I start with a list of questions. I create a series of questions they might have for me as the expert and author. Answering these questions to enhance the substance of the book. This list helps lay the foundation of the book. It is essential to incorporate this in the makeup of the outline.  

    Producing the list will help you focus on your expertise but also to stay in your lane of specialty. Understanding your strengths and ultimately the focus of the book. Discussing details, you can promise the reader in order to get the desired calculated outcomes. 

    There are several ways to keep readers engaged. Keeping them entertained with stories, challenging them with questions to ponder, illustrating pictures through your quality writing, and organizing key points to help them digest information. Wrapping up sections with a call to action. I practice challenging my readers with questions presented throughout the non-fiction. I think this is a great element to reiterate, especially in blog books, which is also a part of my signature.

Which approach would you consider to entice readers to keep them hooked?

    As authors we aim to present information while bringing our readers to keep them wanting more. I discuss a variety of ways to keep readers hooked in my book, In Her Own Ink. Specifically, in chapters: "Switching Places with the Reader" and "Building the Framework of a Chapter." I encourage you to get a copy of the book to learn alternative ways to keep your readers engaged.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

7 Essential Elements to Self-Publishing

A lot of people are self-publishing, but many get discouraged. Having a book coach would help control the fears and process of producing a book. Publishing a book demands a lot of steps. Over the years, I've developed a system to publishing. Here are 7 essential elements to self-publishing for the new indie author: Collaborate with a book coach. Develop an outline. Write the rough draft. Get an editor. Design the book cover. Create a marketing plan. Publish the book. Collaborate with a book coach. To control the intimidation of creating a project of this magnitude I worked with a book coach. My book coach helped me publish my first book. Working with a coach enabled me to bypass a lot of mistakes. I was able to complete tasks effectively and faster. We developed my book from A to Z in less than six months. Develop an outline. Every day is a brainstorming session. Therefore, I keep a journal handy at all times to record ideas and incorporate them into the development phases. Creati...

Don’t Rain on My Parade: Common Pitfalls

As a self-published author I strive to deliver excellence. Over the years, I’ve made many mistakes. I’ve identified common pitfalls that we’ll  discuss in order to manage them. I’ll bring attention to three areas: Foreword Versus Preface and Introduction Author Biography Professional Editing Presentation is essential to the finished product. Yet, some of us cut corners which is disheartening because it could dim opportunities and credibility. My book, In Her Own Ink, shares the differences between the Foreword, Preface and Introduction. Can the Author Write the Foreword? Depending on the type of narrative we’ll include a Foreword section. However, a lot of authors get this element of the book confused. The Foreword is NOT written by the author. In fact, it typically is authored by an expert in the field, or someone who specializes in the book’s area of focus.  The expert will promote your book. Giving readers a glimpse of their insight as a specialist, their relationship to yo...

Get Unstuck: Dive into Tunnel Vision

You've created an outline or an overview of how you want your chapters to look. Already, you began writing but you only write every once in a while. Still, you're excited about kicking off your book design. Yet, something continues to hold you back. It's not procrastination, confusion nor lack of motivation. You say to yourself: what's the issue now? I'm stuck! I'm writing but not getting enough results.  Develop a Writing Goal To keep the momentum going you must create a rhythm. Develop a system and make it work for you. There are lots of methods to creating a routine in order to get unstuck and dive into tunnel vision. One strategy to creating a specific writing goal is to consider meeting a word-count. Every time you sit down to produce a draft target a specific word-count. One page is about 500 words and a chapter is generally 2,000 words. Therefore, make a commitment to meet a certain word-count and witness your steady progress. Another approach to tackling...