How to Outline Your Book and Save Precious Writing Time

One of the most frequently asked question I receive is, “How do I turn all of my random thoughts and ideas about this subject and turn them into a coherent book? Here are 10 steps to organize your thoughts and finish your draft. Without a draft, you have no book. So it’s absolutely necessary to complete this step!

#1 Set the theme

Remember when you had a research paper for school and you had to come up with a thesis? Well, it’s the same thing for your book. Before you can effectively write it, you need to decide what is the main idea? What message do you want the reader to leave with? What is the theme? WHO are you writing this book for? In our webinar we talked a lot about selecting a targeted audience. You need to be clear about these things BEFORE you write and edit your draft.

#2 Compile your notes

Next, it’s time to create one general area, one space to compile your notes for your book. Do you have scattered writings all over your computer or office? Do you have emails, chats or text messages with information that could be useful for your book? Do you have any articles that you want to cite? Now is the time to create a central space for these materials. I like to use a Book Binder. I print out everything, punch it with my 3 hole puncher and stick it into a binder. Perhaps you prefer to use a notebook or a folder on your computer. Whatever system works for you, just use SOMETHING to organize and keep everything together.

Book Binder or Folder on your Computer or Notebook —– Just use something!

#3 Write an outline

Now it’s time to write. Begin with an overview of your main ideas. Don’t worry about how it sounds, it’s just time for you to brainstorm the important messages want to convey. These don’t even have to be in order, just get them out of your head and onto paper.

Main Idea #1 that is important to your theme
Main Idea #2
Main Idea #3
…
Main Idea #10

#4 Break your outline down

Write 4-6 bullets under each area THAT SUPPORT THAT MAIN IDEA AND THE THEME! It’s important that these supporting ideas are things that are necessary. If you find you only have 2 important points in that section, don’t make up things just to add more. Only put what is necessary.

Main Idea #1
1. Important Point
2. Important Point
3. Important Point
4. Important Point
Main Idea #2
1. Important Point
2. Important Point
3. Important Point
4. Important Point

And so on.

#5 Flush out each bullet area.

Write 1-2 paragraphs or maybe 10 sentences per bullet point area. The idea is to begin getting more of the details down on paper.

Main Idea #1
1. Important Point #1
  1. 10 sentences
2. Important Point #2
  1. Paragraph 1
  2. Paragraph 2
3. Important Point #3

…Repeat for each of your main ideas and important points.

#6 Review your detailed outline

Are there any points that really don’t fit? Any points that divert your reader from the main thesis and goal of your message? Remove those areas. Is there any major idea that is missing? Add it. Your goal is to round out the outline and begin to add connecting and transitions between the areas.

#7 Fine Tune

Now is the time to work on the wording. Always try to convey your message in a few words as possible. Be sure that the tone of your writing fits your intended audience. Go over the supporting sentences for your ideas and make them sounds smooth.

#8 Review

Review your draft and fine tune again. Keeping in mind your main goal, your reader, your message.

#9 Wait

Next, you need to take a break. Wait a few weeks or even a month depending on your timeline before coming back to the book. Stepping away will all you to have a sharper eye when you return.

NOTE: ALWAYS WRITE YOUR INTRODUCTION LAST!

Your introduction provides an overview of your book. How can you write the overview FIRST if you don’t know all of the main points your book will end up conveying? Thus, the introduction is the LAST thing you write for your book. Yes, even after your conclusion!

TIP: When reviewing, read your book outloud! You’ll catch more mistakes and be able to see when it’s wordy or confusing.

What step are you on? Let us know how YOUR book is coming!