In this episode, you’ll also hear:
So far in the First 5 series, we’ve discussed the importance of:
If you missed those previous episodes, be sure to check them out here!
Now, let’s get into step #5: organize before you outline. That’s right — you’re almost ready to begin your outline. But here’s the mistake many aspiring authors make: they jump into writing the outline based on what they think the book should contain.
Remember, you’re writing for an audience. You can only accomplish your goal of impacting lives if people buy your book. And people will only buy your book if they believe it solves a problem for them.
Last week in Step #4, you talked to some people to get insight on what they’re looking for. Now it’s time to make use of that insight!
Give yourself some quiet time. Then take all the information you got in those interviews and organize it. What themes or patterns did you notice in the responses? For example:
That last question is really where things tend to fall apart if we’re not careful. You need to get clear on what makes your ideal reader feel all alone in the world at times, but too often, how an author describes the problem doesn’t match the reader’s view of the problem. You may identify the correct problem, but if you’re not describing it in a way that connects with your readers on a core level, you won’t have the impact you want.
Because here’s the thing: You know things — important things! — that your reader doesn’t know. But they’ll only open their heart and mind to hear what you have to say if you can connect to what they believe to be true.
So with that in mind, it’s time to take action. Get into a quiet place, take all your notes from the conversations you’ve had, and organize them. Once you do, you’ll have a much better idea of how to approach your book and what kind of outline you need.
You see, there are different kinds of outlines you could use, depending on the stance you want to take as an author:
Each of these approaches requires a different kind of outline. So if you don’t start by getting clear on what your ideal reader needs and which approach will be most helpful to them, you’ll spend way too much time outlining and writing a book that ultimately doesn’t connect with the people you’re trying t
1. The Podium
The Podium: An NBC Olympic and Paralympic podcast. Join us for insider coverage during the intense competition at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the run-up to the Opening Ceremony, we’ll bring you deep into the stories and events that have you know and those you'll be hard-pressed to forget.
2. In The Village
In The Village will take you into the most exclusive areas of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games to explore the daily life of athletes, complete with all the funny, mundane and unexpected things you learn off the field of play. Join Elizabeth Beisel as she sits down with Olympians each day in Paris.
3. iHeartOlympics: The Latest
Listen to the latest news from the 2024 Olympics.