Getting Started: Organizing Your Thoughts

Before I dive into my book project I commit to a few initial steps. They establish the foundation. I carry out these practices to ensure focus and motivation. While there are several approaches to book writing, I’ll bring our attention to getting organized.

Setting the Foundation

First, create book objectives. This is the purpose of the book. Also, your promises to the reader. As the author, what book goals do you have? Why are you writing the book? How will you empower your reader?

Answering these questions will help you determine the makeup of your book design. Generally, two to five objectives are ideal. The entire book is committed to solidifying your promises to the reader.

Your Motivation for Publishing

Second, create three to seven reasons you deserve to publish. This list can be used as a tool to rekindle your passion. When you hit writer’s block, refer back to your list of reasons. Reflecting on them will help you dive back into your vision for the project.

Organizing Your Thoughts

Third, organize your work. Get a binder or folders to gather content. Generally, I separate my ideas into the following sections:

Objectives/Introduction/Conclusion/Outline
Reader Engagement & Activities
Chapter Content
Book Visions & Marketing
Things to Do
Miscellaneous

Finally, I get to work on my outline. I’m a visual learner. Therefore, when drafting my outline, I identify all book elements from the Title Page to About the Author. This expands my book vision.

Conclusion

Writing a book has several components. However, organizing your thoughts is essential to developing a strong foundation to build on. Again, getting started demands having clear book objectives and knowing your reasons for publishing.

Additionally, organizing material into a binder or folders will undoubtedly help you build content, and find initial ideas to continue the writing journey. Lastly, creating an outline is critical to an author’s success to completing the manuscript.

Learn more by buying a copy of my book, In Her Own Ink: Strategies for Creating from Author to Author. And, work with In Her Own Ink to reduce challenges, and to accomplish your self-publishing goals.

Comments

Tackling the Introduction

What is the purpose of your reading? Why select your copy? What promises will you deliver? These are some of the pertinent questions you will answer in your book’s Introduction. Go Harder The Respect Institute is a public speaking program I partook in. I recall the instructor demanding that we create a strong Introduction and Conclusion. They emphasized the significance of producing a hook to entice the audience, and Conclusion to thoroughly wrap up the talk. Avoiding Common Author Mistakes After publishing seven books, I’ve learned from my mistakes and matured in book development. My experience and direction will undoubtedly support your publishing endeavors. Working with In Her Own Ink will validate and reinforce effective strategies to build your manuscript. I discuss practical tips on the building blocks of writing an Introduction in my book, In Her Own Ink: Strategies for Creating from Author to Author. I drill authors on t...

Keep Your Eye on the Prize

You’ve started writing your book and the motivation drops as well as your progress. How do you stir your passion? How can you rekindle your flame? When I hit a roadblock, I’ll do one of these three activities or all of them. Reflect on my reasons. Revert to my writing ritual. Review the list of questions my reader may have. Proven-Strategies for Creating In the beginning stages, I’ll jot down my reasons for publishing. Five or more reasons I deserve to publish. I keep this note in the miscellaneous section of my binder. I discussed these tasks in my book, In Her Own Ink: Strategies for Creating from Author to Author. The writing ritual is where motivation meets discipline. What motivates you into action? Which song, quote, or image gets you moving? Generally, I watch a couple of performances on YouTube that spikes my professional keenness, and produces passion. I do this repeatedly, prior to diving into the mental work of my book development...

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...

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