I come from a family of fourteen children. By the time my youngest sister was born, my oldest sister was married with children of her own. In all the noise and confusion that a large family brings, we took care of each other. A lot was expected by our parents, and it would have been a failing of character not to contribute to the family. There was lots of opportunity to exceed expectations but there were just as many opportunities to fail expectations. The trick, as it always is in life, was to admit our failings, take responsibility for them, and set out to do better. That lesson would pay dividends for all of us throughout our lives.
Writing is similar. We have lots of opportunities to exceed expectations but often we make excuses for not doing what we want to do most—write a book. Take responsibility and set out to do better.
Whatever type of book that you are writing, organization is the key:
- memoir
- autobiography
- novel
- how-to
- self-help
- cookbook
- non-fiction
Create an Outline
When you get stuck in a writer’s block or when you think you cannot finish, your outline will get you through.
There are many ways to approach creating an outline: chronological, problem and solution, the production process (step-by-step) and broad-to-specific are just a few.
Begin with categories
If you are writing a memoir, autobiography, or family history, your categories could be time increments or geographical locations.
Family History Outline
- Determine earliest ancestor’s country
- Research customs and traditions
- Research how they journeyed to America
- Life as new Americans
Continue their life down to the current generation.
Memoir Outline
- That significant moment
- Life before that moment
- Life after that moment
How-To Book Outline
An arts & hobbies book might be narrowed down to sub-categories of candle making and decorating.
- Research about how candles developed
- How candles became popular
- How to make candles
- How to decorate with candles
A novel is more ambitious. Consider joining a writing class or hiring a writing coach or professional editor..
You may pull content from previous speeches, presentations, or training materials that you have already prepared. Many of us have unpublished books lying around our office, on our computer, or stuck in a drawer or on a jump drive. It’s time to dust off this precious content, refresh and update it, and publish it.
Frederick Jones is an attorney, pastor, and writing coach. He is an expert guide on the art of self-publishing to tell your own story. Follow him at www.drfredjones.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/drfredjones. You may join his FREE Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/AmazonSelfPublishing