Wednesday, September 24, 2008

How to Write a Book

One of the most common questions I get is, "How do I write a book?"

I suppose one could be facetious and answer, "With a computer." Or even better, "With a pen, or pencil, or paint, or whatever."

The truth is, it isn't the writing part that's difficult, it's the starting. People have all kinds of preconceived ideas about writing that just aren't true. Like, you have to be perfect the first time, you have to know how to write, you have to have long years of training, you've enver written a word, etc.

Writing a book is like any other job you do. You start with the first word and keep adding words, preferably in some kind of order. You add stories, you add lessons, you add information, you pull it all together, you tell people what you want them to do.

Having said all that, here are the basic steps you take to write your book:
  • Choose a topic
  • Narrow your topic
  • Divide your topic into five to 15 areas (these become your chapters)
  • Decide what to cover in each area
  • Choose the examples that illustrate your information
  • Choose the stories to illuminate your examples
  • Write an introduction that outlines what you want the reader to get
  • Write each chapter, one by one, until you have a first draft

If you want to get more detailed information on the writing process, check out my Solutions Press Protege Program at www.leepound.com/protegeprogram.htm.

Meanwhile, take a stab at writing your book. Good luck!