There are two sides to the book you want to write: (1) what you are inspired to write (2) what your readers want to read. You might think these two sides will inevitably meet, and let's hope they will (without that long-sounding "inevitably"). You will save yourself many rewrites and a lot of pain if you figure out # 2 first, and then back into # 1.
If your book is nonfiction, consider:
- What problem are you solving for your reader?
- What puzzle are you solving?
- What information are you providing that readers know they need to know?
- What is your reader's body of knowledge that are you building on?
- What is the actual "hook" of your book that will trigger their interest?
- What have you done for the reader by the time they close the book?
- What journey are you taking your reader on?
- What beliefs are you challenging?
- What vision are you inspiring?
- Which fears are you playing on?
- In what way should the reader be moved by this story?
- And after the last page, what makes him or her want to start reading this book all over again?
When you know these things, you are ready to write your book. Never forget your reader.
Laurie
www.authorbiz.com
Photo credit: 2011 Bing images
