The Essential Building Blocks to Book-Writing

You’ve created a title for your book. Can see it and envision the satisfaction of publishing, evident by that smile on your face from ear to ear to yourself. You’ve even started writing the introduction and first chapter. 

Yet, overlooking a process would be disastrous. That is, writing your book free-hand, off the top of your head, will unfortunately cause you to bump your head. 

Like a Puzzle: Preparation is Key

We can't write a book overnight, and certainly don’t want to try to write it in chronological order from its beginning to end. Instead, we aim to tackle our project like a puzzle. Working on different parts of the book to minimize overwhelm and to deliver intentional messages.

By avoiding a book-writing technique, you are setting yourself up to be easily derailed and ultimately not finishing your work. How do I know? I’ve tried that strategy over and over again! It led to many disappointments.

Planning the course of your writing journey will help you gain laser focus, and keep you on track to reaping the benefits of your literary rewards. I’ll motivate you to follow an experienced author’s routine to get a breakthrough. Working on the proper building blocks to move forward with your manuscript. 

Follow a System

When your ink runs dry due to writer’s block, confusion, fear and hesitation tip-toes in the back door of your mind. You begin to question yourself, like I did. How do I do this? What should I do next? 

This is your crash course to not only getting your feet wet, but establishing direction to go the extra mile with greater confidence on your writing agenda. 

I’ll share personal secrets to effectively approaching a non-fiction book project. Offering priceless skills to not only get your ball rolling but to get positive results. We’ll discuss proven-strategies to get breakthroughs on developing your narrative. 

Step 1: Identify Book Goals and Objectives

While your ideas are promising, there lingers those crucial questions. Getting started demands order. My system reinforces effective methods.

After I’ve secured a title for the book, I create my book goals and objectives. What takeaways do I want my reader to digest? I identify two to five arguments the reading will deliver. These are the points I’ll emphasize in the book, and promise my reader that they will gain insight. 

Step 2: There’s Something about the Name

Then I jot down a list of titles. I’ll use them later on to identify chapters and subheadings. Accordingly, selecting those catchy names that will keep my reader hooked and anxiously curious to read on.

Step 3: Before Your Pen Hits the Paper Set the Foundation

Don’t start writing your book without setting the foundation. That means, getting organized and producing an outline. Without a system and a clear focus of where we’re going the project will go downhill. 

We can’t avoid the tedious tasks of adhering to a process. Following my order of tasks will enable you to not only get started, but to get ahead of the game on finishing your book. 

Nowadays, I keep my book plans in a binder. I’ve labelled my sections to help organize thoughts and find information quickly. However, don’t get caught up in not having all of your office supplies. I’ve utilized folders and color paper as labels to divide my documents. Separating sections will undoubtedly help you gain clarity while developing your content.

1. Objectives/Introduction/Conclusion & Outline

2. Book Visions & Marketing

3. Things to Do

4. Chapter Content

5. Reader Engagement/Activities

6. Miscellaneous

Once I have my binder labelled, I draft an outline. Diving into the work by producing an overview of my book. The layout from the Title Page to About the Author. Afterwards, refer back to the list of titles and use them to identify my chapters. 

Finally, I dive into the outline. Summarizing parts of my story by using bulleted lists of the topics and examples I’ll cover within that part of the book. To ensure I’m addressing those key points for readers, I look back at my goals and objectives to help to stay focused. Also, to hold myself accountable to delivering my promises to the reader.

Partnering with a Coach

This process is one of many. Yet, I’ve perfected it over the years and published seven books. Even though following these instructions will help you jump-start your writing journey, I strongly encourage you to work with a book coach like myself. 

There are many advantages to partnering with an experienced author. By working with a coach on my first book we were able to complete it within four to six months. She held me accountable. Motivated me to continue the course. Provided professional guidance on how to self-publish through the CreateSpace platform, which is now under Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. Working with my coach enabled me to bypass common mistakes, hold me accountable and to publish the paperback on Amazon.

Conclusion

To build a stronger understanding of my book-writing system, get a copy of my book, In Her Own Ink: Strategies for Creating from Author to Author. 

Writing a book is challenging. With effective approaches like mine you can excel. Book development is a process. My system reinforces the importance of organization and doing the homework of producing an outline. Following my program will undoubtedly help you get satisfactory results. 

Mastering my process took years to develop. Take the leap and produce a solid blueprint for your work by partnering with me on your project. 

Let’s continue to hone our book-writing skills, and get positive outcomes for your literary works. Discover more today, and contact me with your book visions. Learn more. Call: Ashley Smith (404)369-0499.