Before I tell you what I learned from Keith Miller about how to write a non-fiction book, I want to show you the home my parents are selling in the Ozarks. It's about 20 miles north of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The nearest town is Cassville, Missouri.
All of the websites we do for our clients are designed and built by former Flaming Lips drummer Richard English. Yes, he went from Rock Star to family man and webmaster geek. I asked Richard if he would throw together a simple webpage to help my parents sell their house. He knocked the cover off of the ball.
Check out www.dogwood-hills.com
If your business or organization has an outdated website, please give me a call or e-mail me and I'll hook you up with Mr. English.
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The stuff I recall from J. Keith Miller.
1. Establish the WORKING TITLE.
In one sentence, write down what your book will be about. Set that aside and allow your brain to stew on your main title and a subtitle. Whenever you have a thought about the title, write it down on that document.
2. Brainstorm CHAPTER TITLES.
In 10 - 20 minutes write down every possible chapter title and subject heading that pops into your mind that has anything at all to do with your book. Try to come up with 30 to 50 possible chapter titles.
3. Choose the BEST TWELVE chapter titles that most directly connect to your working title.
As you pick out your top twelve, you will notice many from your original list will make excellent sub-chapters under your top twelve. Some will need to be scrapped all together, because they don't really support your working title.
4. Make TWELVE NEW FOLDERS, one for each chapter.
Label each folder with the name of each chapter.
5. Create THREE SUB-TITLES for each chapter and make a separate folder for each sub-title.
Make sure each sub-title is somewhat detailed so you will remember what you were going to write about.
6. Take a smaller piece of paper or NOTE CARD write every chapter title and abbreviated sub-titles.
Go to your local office supply store or wherever and laminate the note card. Keep the card with you at all times while you are writing your book. Read over your chapter titles several times a day. If you do this, you will train your brain to be on the look-out for great book material 24/7. (If I were you, I would laminate a dozen copies and give them to close friends and family members. Allow their brains to be on the watch as well.)
7. For the next several weeks or months BE READY for articles, news stories and illustrations to come your way.
The reticular activator in your brain will notice material for your book you would not have even seen if you weren't ready for it. As you come across the book material, place it in the appropriate file.
8. BEFORE you start collecting information write the introduction and conclusion to your book.
Great writers know were to start, where to end and what to leave out.
9. You will eventually reach a point you feel you have enough material. Before you begin putting it all together in one big manuscript, decide WHO YOUR AUDIENCE IS.
And by audience, I mean one person. Make a brief description of the one person you are writing this giant letter to. The more detailed you make the description of this person, the easier it will be for your to write. As you write, picture that person sitting across from you and communicate to them in their language about what would matter to them.
10. The only thing you will need from this point is TIME. You should have all of material you will need.
When you get it finished, you can publish it yourself or try to get someone else to publish it.
You, your friends and family may be the only ones to read your book. On the other hand, you may be answering a question thousands of people are asking.
When is the best time to begin writing your book?
When is the best time to plant a tree?
Answer: 20 years ago, or today.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
"I am going to write a book someday."
How many times have you heard yourself or someone close to you utter these words?
I believe there are several reasons we/they do not follow through on their epiphany.
They don't know where to start.
They don't know how to eat an elephant.
They feel they are not worthy.
They don't have the time.
They won't sell any copies.
They don't know who would care.
They don't think anyone would publish it.
A few years back I had the privilege of attending a prestigious one day seminar at Wizard Academy entitled "How to write a non-fiction book." There were no more that eighteen people in the room. The morning session was taught by Ray Bard, president and founder of Bard Press. The afternoon session was led by author J. Keith Miller.
I am now going to write (from memory) the main things I learned from these humble, yet mighty men.
From Ray Bard I learned:
---In order for your non-fiction book to be called a "best seller" you have to sell over 100,000 copies. (Most likely in a certain amount of time.)
---He talked about how book distribution works. I learned publisher, the distributor and the book store make 98% of the money.
---Ray also said there are basically four categories of books being published.
1. Pond Books: The interest in neither deep nor wide. A good example of a pond book might be a cookbook put together by your churches ladies group.
2. Swamp Books: A swamp book does not have deep interest, but does have a national audience. A good example might be coffee-table Marilyn Monroe. There might be two sold in every bookstore across the country.
3. Well Books: The audience is narrow, but very deep. The example Mr. Bard used that day was a best-seller he published called "The Care and Feeding of Quarter Horses". Obviously the audience is narrow, but apparently every quarter horse owner either purchased one or got one for Christmas.
4. Ocean Books: The audience is both deep and wide. The topics general appeal to people who have not yet assumed room temperature. They are generally about Money, Relationships, Food, Fun and Sex.
What category does your book fall under and why have you not started writing it. Keith Miller taught us how to actually eat this elephant.
Next week I'll tell you what I learned from Keith Miller.
I believe there are several reasons we/they do not follow through on their epiphany.
They don't know where to start.
They don't know how to eat an elephant.
They feel they are not worthy.
They don't have the time.
They won't sell any copies.
They don't know who would care.
They don't think anyone would publish it.
A few years back I had the privilege of attending a prestigious one day seminar at Wizard Academy entitled "How to write a non-fiction book." There were no more that eighteen people in the room. The morning session was taught by Ray Bard, president and founder of Bard Press. The afternoon session was led by author J. Keith Miller.
I am now going to write (from memory) the main things I learned from these humble, yet mighty men.
From Ray Bard I learned:
---In order for your non-fiction book to be called a "best seller" you have to sell over 100,000 copies. (Most likely in a certain amount of time.)
---He talked about how book distribution works. I learned publisher, the distributor and the book store make 98% of the money.
---Ray also said there are basically four categories of books being published.
1. Pond Books: The interest in neither deep nor wide. A good example of a pond book might be a cookbook put together by your churches ladies group.
2. Swamp Books: A swamp book does not have deep interest, but does have a national audience. A good example might be coffee-table Marilyn Monroe. There might be two sold in every bookstore across the country.
3. Well Books: The audience is narrow, but very deep. The example Mr. Bard used that day was a best-seller he published called "The Care and Feeding of Quarter Horses". Obviously the audience is narrow, but apparently every quarter horse owner either purchased one or got one for Christmas.
4. Ocean Books: The audience is both deep and wide. The topics general appeal to people who have not yet assumed room temperature. They are generally about Money, Relationships, Food, Fun and Sex.
What category does your book fall under and why have you not started writing it. Keith Miller taught us how to actually eat this elephant.
Next week I'll tell you what I learned from Keith Miller.
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