How to Write A Book - Planning and Formatting The Content

By Shannon Evans

Writing a book requires organization, focus and a solid plan. Creating a plan for your book will make it closer to be reality. If you struggle writing so your work has a cohesive well developed beginning, middle and an end then you need to learn effective outlining techniques.

Compelling writing is what captures a reader's interest and draws them in to read chapter after chapter. Engaging the reader is critical to a book's success. So how will you hook your target audience and keep them interested past the book cover? Through focused highly compelling writing you will create an audience that come back for more.

Where do you start writing? Do you jump right in and begin writing as soon as you develop a thesis? While the thesis is the driving force for the book and is the main focus the title depicts, it is only a part of the book. Consider how the book will be laid out and what each chapter will address? Each chapter should address a component of the title topic. And each chapter should have a title that is keyword rich and expresses a topic that supports the title topic.

For this chapter you need to outline what your format for that chapter will be before you write actual content.

1. Identify the hook you will use related to the chapter title that will engage the reader rapidly? Use a question, quote, or surprising related statistics or facts.

2. Develop a thesis statement.

3. Identify a short story or analogy that will enhance or help the reader relate to the content.

4. Bullet points, lists, and tips

Include any bullet points, lists, checklists, tips, or resources that support the chapter's focus. 5. Summary conclusion

A summary paragraph of the chapter provides a chapter review. Some authors give their readers homework or an assignment to close the chapter.

Format each chapter in a consistent, organized manner and your book will flow naturally. Keep your chapters about the same length and follow the same format. This will keep your readers engaged and they will want to recommend it to others.

Shannon Evans, senior editor and owner of http://www.mywritingmentor.com lives with her best friend Rick on Bainbridge Island in the Puget Sound just a "ferry ride from Seattle." She maintains two blogs: http://www.authormarketingtools.wordpress.com
http://www.mywritingmentor.wordpress.com

She works with her two Labrador assistant editors, Mocha and Luke, and her feline copy edit assistants, Caesar and Yoda. Shannon is widely recognized as one of the top writing coaches for non-fiction authors. With over 17 years editing for native and non-native English speaking authors she knows how to help writers make every word count.

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