How to plan your nonfiction book in 3 simple steps

Here’s the exact process I used to outline my 4 books (including one bestseller) and stay on track while writing them.

© Chuttersnap on Unsplash

1. Define your clear, counter-intuitive message.

“Wait, shouldn’t I just summarize the existing knowledge for my subject?”

• Let other writers regurgitate what’s already out there. Address a gap that no one’s talking about because it goes against the grain. An example from my first book: Divorced families can be healthier for children than a nuclear family, if done well.

• Before you write an outline, ponder your surprising angle first. It will make writing the book so much easier.

• You’ll align with the underrepresented outliers who feel the same way, need more information, or are in desperate need of your perspective.

2. Find your spot on the philosophical-to-practical spectrum.

“I can’t figure out a balance between how much of myself to reveal—or not.”

• This range goes from the most personal of viewpoints, such as a memoir, all the way to the most analytical or instructional, such as an historical treatise or a cookbook.

• Look back at your previous writing. Where is your comfort zone? Journal-type observations or an invisible narrator? Storytelling to illustrate concepts, or facts and data?

• Consider a hybrid mix, such as how-to books with short personal stories. Test out a theory or conduct an experiment. Write the book you need that doesn’t exist!

3. Mind map your main topic and 3–4 subtopics.

“How do I make sure I’m covering everything and not repeating myself?”

• You’ll know you have enough material for a book if you could easily talk about your subject for an hour without notes. It’s a concept you love and find endlessly fascinating.

• Draw a mind map on paper and let your creativity flow. Put your main topic in the middle, with 3–4 subtopics in a circle around it. Brainstorm associations, surprises and ideas that deserve more attention.

• Each subtopic should be deep enough that it has 2–3 smaller subjects. Those smaller subjects could be their own chapter. Then you’ll have at least 10 chapters: an actual book!

Now you have a roadmap to follow as you tackle your first draft.

Make a cleaner version, tack it up over your desk, and feel free to make adjustments or additions while you write.

Writing a book is so much easier when the big picture is clear, easy to grasp with a glance—and all on one page.

I wish you the best of luck writing your book. Let me know if you have any questions!