When I was young and got overwhelmed with this or that, my mom had a terrific way of helping me. She’d sit me down and help me think through what I could and couldn’t do to influence the situation.
She led me through a process of deciding how to respond to each anxiety-producing factor, and that was all I needed. I always left our conversations feeling empowered and much more comfortable with life.
Writing a book can be overwhelming. When one is staring at a blank page knowing that a decent-sized book is at least 50,000 words, it’s easy to feel like you’re not equal to the task.
photo credit: h.koppdelaney via photopin cc
Many people know deep down they have a book inside them. They have this passion, this innate need to get a book out of them. But if you don’t have a plan for making that happen, this burning passion can turn into burning frustration!
Add to this how busy we are, and it’s enough to blow this book-writing dream to smithereens. In fact, I’d say you may not need a plan if you have nothing else going on. If you don’t have any other commitments—to family, say, or colleagues—you might be able to get by without a plan. But the vast majority of us are not in that situation.
The purpose of this post is to sit you down and talk you through how to write a nonfiction book. I want to empower you and help you feel comfortable with the process of writing a book.
Develop a Compelling Concept and Title
This is where it all starts. The most efficient and effective way I know of to kick around book ideas is to brainstorm titles and subtitles. This gives you a quick look at different ways your book can appear to potential readers.
I encourage a process of individual and collective brainstorming. This can look various ways, but the process should go something like this:
- Brainstorm title and subtitle combinations on your own.
- Come up with a short list of possibilities.
- Ask a group of friends or colleagues you trust to comment on the short list. Ask them which combination is their favorite and what suggestions they have for improving it. I think this step is best done in person, but you can get ideas from your social media networks as well. It’s certainly worth a try to see what kind of feedback you get.
- Keep refining the list until you have isolated one title and subtitle combination as the best of the bunch.
Now. How do you feel about this title and subtitle? Excited about it? Is it compelling enough to keep you energized through hours of writing? If so, you’re ready to move. If not, it’s time to do another round of brainstorming and to reengage your friends for input. Once you have a title and subtitle that you and your friends all think is compelling, you’re ready for step 2.
Flesh It Out with an Outline
Keeping your title and subtitle in mind, write out titles of possible chapters. At first don’t worry much about structure and whether a piece of content is a paragraph and not a chapter. Just get all your chapter ideas down. This again is a brainstorming process. You’re trying to get down any and all of the various chunks of content that potentially could fit somewhere within this book.
Once you have a bunch of chapter titles down, scan them. Which ones seem most important? Set those to one side. Which ones seem like subtopics of other chapters? Go ahead and place those accordingly. Which ones seem like they might belong to a different book, a sequel to this one perhaps? Set those in a different place.
Now consider the sequence of the chapters. Place them in a sequence that makes sense. Writing is a linear medium, and so good writing is well organized. Readers like to move from one topic to the next without thinking too much about the transitions.
Finally, write out a 2- to 5-sentence description of each chapter. Doing this at this stage helps you determine what each chapter needs to do in light of the whole.
Once you’ve got this step down, you’re read to engage the four rhythms of mastery, which I’ll cover in my next post.
To read part 2 of this two-part series, click here.
Got a book concept that you’d like some feedback on? Drop your working title and subtitle in a comment, and I’ll do my best to give you some input. And I hope you’ll comment on others’ concepts as well.
If you think this post would be helpful to others,would you help me share it? I’d be grateful. Here’s a possible tweet: Want to write a book but feeling overwhelmed? This step-by-step post will help! <Tweet this!>
My book title “Present Witness: A Manifesto for Compassionate End of Life Pastoral Care
I love the concept. Present Witness is a bit abstract, obviously, but your sub makes things very clear. I am left wondering, “Why do we need a manifesto on this?” Isn’t end-of-life pastoral care already compassionate? Your title could hint at the answer to this if you’d like.
I wonder how the title might hint to the need? “Present Witness: A Manifesto for Compassionate End of Life Christian Practices” is another way I have tried to work this. The Compassion is in regards to “suffering-with” I find too many Clergy and spiritual care providers don’t know how to truly provide a suffering-with end of life pastoral care that encompasses meaningful Christian Practices at the end of life.
I see. Who’s your audience? Other clergy? Here’s a possibility…
Be There: How to Embrace Compassion and Presence with Those Who Are Near Death
Consider targeting all Christians.
I like that a lot. Could I take out “with those who are near death”, and replace it with…with those who are dying.
Be There: How to Embrace Compassion and Presence with Those Who Are Dying.
My book title/subtitle:
I Think I’m Allergic to My Mother-in-Law: The Survival Guide for the Brand New Bride
It is composed of fast-paced, short chapters that provide practical strategies for how newly married women can take responsibility for their own actions and honor the other woman in her husband’s life. I’d like to spin the title off to other relations to assist individuals survive the pollenated presence of bosses, friends, neighbors, spouses, etc.
What do you think?
I’m not newly married, but I think I need to read the book ;).
I like the concept. You might try offering a bigger payoff. Getting Started on the Right Foot with Your Mother-in-Law. How to Have a Great Relationship with Your Mother-in-Law. Building a Healthy Relationship with Your… And then for the sub, just a little tweak might help it read more smoothly: A New Wife’s Survival Guide.
Hey all,
I have a title but no subtitle as yet:
`10 Things I Love About God´
As the title suggests the book will explore 10 aspects of God’s personality that continue to draw me closer to Him. Each aspect will be explored using insights from scripture, personal experience, art, literature, poetry, songwriting etc
It’s not so much an apologetic but a creative meditation on specific attributes. The aim is to make it accessible to all, particularly non- christians, to introduce them to the beauty of who God ( Jesus) is.
Feedback welcome!! Thanks.
Straightforward title idea for sure, Jacob. I’m just not sure about the saleability of a book on things you love about God. You might find a broader readership with a title that gets away from the first-person pronoun and emphasizes surprising things about God or compelling things about God or …. Hope this helps.
Thanks Chad! Great advice.
I’m working on an ebook now to help build my platform. Here are some ways I’m playing with the title/subtitle – would love any ideas:
“The Christian Parent’s Unbiased Guide to the Creation-Evolution Debate:
Get Up to Speed Quickly on What Your Kids Need You to Know”
“The Busy Parent’s Guide to Christian Views on Creation and Evolution:
Get Up to Speed Quickly on What You Need to Know About Today’s Biggest Faith Debate”
“The Busy Parent’s Guide to Christian Views on Creation and Evolution:
What Your Kids Need You to Know”
“The Christian Parent’s Unbiased Guide to Views on Creation and Evolution:
What Your Kids Need You to Know about Today’s Biggest Faith Debate”
“The Christian Parent’s Unbiased Guide to Views on Creation and Evolution:
What Your Kids Need You to Know”
Thoughts anyone?
Natasha,
I love seeing the evolution of your title : )
Here are a couple thoughts: “Busy” and “Parent” seems redundant to me. : ) I’m also wondering about the word “unbiased.” If it is a guide to a debate, I would expect to learn both sides. On the other hand, if it is a guide for Christian parents, then some may say it is quite biased.
I prefer the shorter title and subtitle.
The Christian Parent’s Guide to the Creation-Evolution Debate: What Your Kids Need You to Know.
Thanks so much for those thoughts – it’s really helpful to have an objective perspective. I realize the issue with “unbiased” – I need to think through how to communicate that the book is not advocating any position; it’s truly a guide. But I’m sure if I use the word unbiased, I’ll get a ton of comments someday when it’s available about something I said that was biased. 🙂 Anyhow, thank you so much!
Another possibility: What Every Christian Parent Needs to Know about the Creation-Evolution Debate: An Unbiased Guide
Great suggestion! Thank you!
Thanks for another great post, Chad. I’ve missed checking in here. The word “busy” in your post caught my attention right away. That sums my life up to a tee.
I often struggle with titles. I began a memoir a few years ago that I titled, “Searching for Popularity.” I never worked a subtitle out for it. Maybe it will come to me while I write.
I don’t know what the memoir is about, but it reminded me of the book title “Embracing Obscurity” (a great book!).
Thank you for the inspiration! I’ve always wondered how many words one should aim for when writing a non-fiction book–it’s nice to know the goal is 50,000 (at least). What would be considered too many words?
My working title: It’s All About YOU! (but I’m Hurting, too): A Companion for Cancer Caregivers
I think this is a fabulous title, Anita. I like how the title and subtitle combined tells you exactly what the book is about.
I LOVE that working title, Anita.
I like it! I might play with the word Companion. Maybe Encouragement for Cancer Caregivers?
Good idea, Natasha :). Thank you, everyone, for the great feedback! It’s nice to have a creative group tossing ideas around.
Or… “Caring for You! (While I’m Hurting, Too)”
I also like Natasha’s suggestion for the subtitle, “Encouragement for Cancer Caregivers.” But if it is more of a guide/how-to then “companion” might be more suitable.
Oh, I really like that one, Shauna! Thank you!
You’ve received some great feedback already here. Here’s another possibility: How to Take Care of Someone with Cancer without Burning Out. In terms of word count, these days I don’t like to go much over 60,000 words for a trade book.
Another good suggestion! And thank you for the tip on word count :). I really needed to know that!
Super helpful! I have a concept and title, but it only constitutes about half a book. I’m still trying to determine what the “other half” looks like. This a great road map.
My working title: Remarkable Faith: Evidence that Jesus found remarkable faith in unremarkable people.
I’m struggling with the word “evidence”..it’s not apologetic. Just a retelling of New Testament stories where Jesus found faith.
Thanks for the opportunity for feedback.
I don’t have problem with someone using the word ‘evidence’ in a title even if they are going to just use ‘circumstantial’ evidence–after all, Jesus used stories to make his point.
I like this title, Shauna. I also thought of this one: “Remarkable Faith: How Jesus Found Remarkable Faith in Unremarkable People.”
Hope others have some ideas for you, too.
I like that better. Thanks.
Sounds like an interesting book. 🙂 I would use different words in the title so the subtitle isn’t redundant with the words remarkable faith. Or flip it around: “How Jesus Found Remarkable Faith in Unremarkable People: 6 Stories to Inspire Your Prayer Life” (or whatever the goal of the book is)
Thank you so much for that suggestion. Definitely something to toy with.
Shauna, you’ve already received some great feedback here on the current direction, so I’ll throw out a different direction: What Would Jesus Compliment? Fascinating Stories of Faith in the New Testament