| You are far more likely to successfully write and | | | | or a particular group? Do you want to sell it? How |
| publish your book if you follow these book writing | | | | many copies do you want to sell your first year? |
| tips before you write a single chapter. | | | | How much money do you want to make each |
| 1. Write your book's working title. It helps you focus | | | | month? What publishing format will you choose--self- |
| and answer the readers' questions about the topic. | | | | publishing, traditional publishing, Print Quality Needed or |
| Most non- fiction has subtitles as well. It's better to | | | | Print on Demand, or eBook? |
| be clear than clever, but clever and clear are fine. | | | | 7. Organize the parts of your book. In one file, keep |
| _Passion At Any Age: Twelve Ways to Unleash It_, | | | | your introduction; in another, your index or resource |
| _Self-Promotion for the Creative Person_, | | | | section. Include your bibliography and keep a file of all |
| _Quadruple your book's Online Sales in Less Than | | | | people you will quote in your book who may give |
| One Month_. | | | | you a testimonial later. Keep each chapter in its own |
| 2. Write your book's thesis. A thesis is a sentence or | | | | file labeled correctly so you can find it within minutes. |
| so stating the audience's main problem and how your | | | | Twenty percent of your papers are important. Be |
| book will solve it. Knowing the thesis before you | | | | sure to file them vertically and in order to save you |
| write the book keeps you on track. All chapters | | | | time and frustration as your book projects grows. |
| should support it. The thesis could be "Each of you | | | | Keep computer files also. |
| has passion and you can unleash it through these | | | | 8. Write down your chapter's format. Readers |
| twelve steps." | | | | expect a clear map to guide them. They like |
| 3. Test your book's significance. While most writers | | | | consistency. In non-fiction, each chapter should be |
| fear their book won't sell, it takes only two | | | | approximately the same length and have the same |
| significances to write a book, and three for a great | | | | sections. To make your chapters sparkle, use stories, |
| seller. Ask yourself, Is it relevant? Then write it! Does | | | | anecdotes, headings, photos, maps, graphs, |
| it present useful information? Does it have the | | | | exercises, tips. Readers like easy-to-read side bars in |
| potential to positively affect people's lives? Is it lively, | | | | boxes. |
| humorous? Does it help answer important questions? | | | | 9. Write the back cover material before you write |
| Does it create a deeper understanding of human | | | | your book. This "outline" helps give your book |
| nature? | | | | direction and helps you focus only on what's |
| 4. Pinpoint your target audience, all-important to your | | | | important to your thesis or theme. Your back cover |
| book's success. No, not everyone will want to read | | | | has around 8 seconds to impress your prospective |
| your book. How old are your prospective readers? | | | | buyer. |
| Male? Female? Are they interested in personal | | | | Include what sells: reader and famous people's |
| growth, science fiction, mystery, how-to books? | | | | testimonials, a benefit-driven headline to hook the |
| What challenges do they face? Are they business | | | | reader to open the book and read the table of |
| people? What magazines and Web sites do they like? | | | | contents, and bulleted benefits. Your bio and picture |
| Are they Internet savvy? What causes do they | | | | can go on the inside of the back cover to leave |
| support? | | | | more room for your sales message on the back |
| Once you know them, write a letter and tell them | | | | cover. |
| why you are writing your book and what benefits it | | | | Use your back cover as a sales letter that can go on |
| will bring them. Dear over-50 reader, "I'm writing | | | | your web site or emails you send out to your |
| Passion At Any Age to help you live life full | | | | prospective buyers. |
| throttle--with more abundance, joy, and meaning." | | | | 10. Mock up a front cover in your book's early |
| 5. Write your reasons for writing this book. Your | | | | stages. Keep it by your workstation to inspire you. |
| reader, the media, the television and radio talk show | | | | To sell your books, your cover and title have around |
| hosts all want to know why you wrote this book. Be | | | | four seconds to hook your buyer. Covers are more |
| prepared up front, so you will shine when | | | | important than what is inside. Browse the bookstore |
| opportunities come your way. For instance, "I wrote | | | | and copy a few ideas to get you started. Do you |
| this book because so many of my clients and | | | | have color preferences? Is you title powerful and |
| students asked me to. They didn't want theory; they | | | | short enough to be read across the room? |
| wanted practical how to's to help them live life well. | | | | Writing a book is so much easier when you approach |
| This audience, primarily over 50, wants and needs | | | | it in small bites. As soon as you get these ten parts |
| practical and spiritual tools to let their passion out. | | | | written you will be able to start asking more specific |
| 6. Write down your publishing goals for this book. Do | | | | questions that become your chapter headings. |
| you want to give it away to members of your family | | | | |