Book Structure: Are You a Planner or a Pantser? [S3 E10]

Are you someone who meticulously outlines your book before diving in, or do you prefer to let the words unfold naturally as you write? Understanding your writing style can significantly impact the ease and efficiency of your book-writing process.  

In today’s episode of the Business Book Bites podcast, Karen Williams and Sheryl Andrews dive into the fascinating world of writers, specifically focusing on the two distinct types: planners and pantsers.   

We'll provide insights into the importance of structure, share practical planning strategies, and explore various tech tools that can aid in the writing journey.   

Whether you're a planner or a pantser, this episode is packed with valuable tips to help you navigate the sometimes “messy middle” of writing a book. Plus, we'll touch on the role of AI in the creative process.   

If you’d like to find out more about how we can support you with your book, come along to one of our free monthly networking events, the Coffee and Connect Café (we meet on the first Tuesday of each month). If you are launching a book soon, check out our Book Launch Blueprint workshop on 11 November. 

You can find out more about this and our other upcoming events at https://www.librotas.com/librotasevents.  

Key insights  

• Identify Your Natural Style: Planners create detailed outlines and roadmaps before writing, ensuring they stay on track. Pantsers prefer to write spontaneously, discovering the narrative as they go.    
• Balance for Success: Both planning and pantsing have their merits. A balanced approach can help avoid potential pitfalls ‒ overplanning might lead to procrastination, while pantsing can result in excessive rewrites.  

• Utilise Effective Tools: Explore various tools to enhance your writing process. For planners, tech tools like Miro, Mural, Trello, and Scrivener can be invaluable. For pantsers, a simple outline or bullet points before starting each chapter can work wonders. Embrace AI like ChatGPT for generating ideas and overcoming writer’s block.  

Bio – Karen Williams  

Karen Williams is The Book Mentor at Librotas®, a leading authority in helping experts, entrepreneurs, and leaders write and market non-fiction books. Having started out in business in 2006, and writing her first book in 2009, she knows the difference that writing a book can make to your business when done well.   

With a focus on sharing significant stories and memorable messages, Karen guides her clients through the entire process of planning, writing, marketing, and launching a book that boosts credibility, attracts new clients, and creates exciting opportunities. Karen is the bestselling author of 10 books and a TEDx speaker.  

Website: https://librotas.com   

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https://www.youtube.com/@librotas   

Bio – Sheryl Andrews  

Sheryl Andrews is The Listening Detective and is known for helping you