Do You Know Your WHAT?
Before you begin writing your book, before you start to outline and plot, there’s a big question you should ask yourself, “WHAT is my book about?”
I don’t mean WHAT your genre is: non-fiction, memoir, sci-fi, romance, etc. I am asking what your story or non-fiction book is about. Is it about space creatures invading the local library and never returning the books? Is it how to build a thriving florist business from your home? Is it saving the world from the ruler of the Dark Side, only to find out he’s your father?
Your WHAT is the heart of the matter. The guts of your story. You should be able to tell anyone WHAT your book is about in two to three sentences. It needs to be focused so that if we were strangers, you could tell me what your book is about, and I’d get it. Not only that, but I’d also run right out and buy your book.
If you cannot nail your WHAT down into two or three sentences, ultimately your book’s focus, you’ll write without a point or goal. This will translate into you having an all-over-the-place manuscript. You’ll spend a lot of time trying to fix the problem.
The WHAT of your book is also called a book hook or an elevator pitch.
Here are a few examples to give you an idea of what you should work toward. Hopefully, you’ve read these books.
Hunger Games: Katniss Everdeen, an impoverished teenager living in the cruel dictatorship of Panem, volunteers for their deadly Hunger Games tournament in order to save her sister’s life.
The Girl on The Train: Rachel Watson, an alcoholic, has lost her husband, her home, and now, her job. Even so, she rides the commuter train to London every day. On one of these days, she sees a murder — only no one believes her.
The Girl on The Train: Rachel Watson, an alcoholic, has lost her husband, her home, and now, her job. Even so, she rides the commuter train to London every day. On one of these days, she sees a murder — only no one believes her.
Both the examples I gave are fiction.
But if you're writing NON-FICTION (memoir, self-help book, business book) the same rules apply.
Pro-Writer Tip: Once you have your pitch — WHAT nailed down, share it with a few people. Hint: share with people who don’t know you that well or who are in the book industry. They will give you unbiased feedback. After pitching your book to them, ask them what they think your book is about. Take this information and move forward as planned, or tweak some more.
Find your WHAT before you start. It will make all the difference in the world. It becomes your road map and will help you with your plot, your pillar points - and reaching your audience. Ultimately, it will help you sell your book.
As a writer, my passion is helping your tell your story - no matter what it is. Your words have the power to change lives, evoke thought and emotions, and take someone on a journey to a place they've never been.
Finding your WHAT, is just one of the many things I help my clients do - before they start writing. It's part of the framework we build together, so they can get their books done in 30 - 60 or 90 Days.
Comments