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Here is a method you’ll be able to apply to merge research and writing, and just get the heart of the work finished. This is a method you are able to use when you are composing anything. Use it for your proposal, the book, writing advertising material – It can even be utilized for writing copy for Companies and for novels. The best thing about this method is that it stops you from bogging down.

1) concept/ subject/ topic

2) 10 minutes of research

3) Word lists

4) Timed free-writing for five minutes

5) Take a break

6) First draft

1. Idea/ topic/ subject

If you’ve got an idea you want to develop, write it at the top of a sheet of paper.

In this instance, write the title you’ve chosen for your first chapter. I use colored pencils and paper for this part of the process so that I can doodle all around the page, but feel free to open a new document in your word processor if you want to type.

If you don’t have a topic or a title for your chapter, just get a blank sheet of paper or open a new document, and keep following the steps of the process.

2. Ten minutes of research

This research process is really just an early-warning for your subconscious mind, to stimulate it and to get it to start coming up with material.

I tend to browse the Web for research whatever I happen to be working on, because I can always find something that starts me thinking. For example, one week I was ready to work on five radio spots for a jewelery store. I browsed online jewelery stores, and museum sites. Within five minutes I hit on an information nugget that stimulated a train of thought. Whatever topic you’re writing on for your proposal, browse a few Web sites which are related.

3. Word lists

I love word lists. They take no effort at all, and they’re ideal for kick-starting any kind of writing. I use them for fiction, for non-fiction and for copywriting. I also write them just for practice, to get my brain ticking over. Here’s part of a word list I wrote this morning: “Glamor fear isolation energy deliver storm glow wind moon rush generosity travel stream voice density”. You can see that on one level, it’s just a laundry-list of words. On another level, what if I asked you to write half a page of a story, using these three words: “Fear Storm Generosity” somewhere in the first paragraph? You could do it, and you’d find it easy.

I could use this list to develop a scene for a chapter in a novel, or to develop a new character for the novel. But I’m currently working on an advertorial for digital imaging products for a computer magazine, so the word list gives me some ideas to play with for that. The list even gives me some ideas I could develop for magazine articles and essays. Not bad for fifteen words which took a few seconds to write.

For your book proposal, just start making lists of words. The idea is not to direct your thoughts at all, just list all the words which spring to mind. Don’t limit yourself with words directly related to the subject of you proposal. You may never use your word lists in your work at all. I think of them as ways of prodding my subconscious. After I’ve filled half a page of words, I may or may not use them. I don’t look on writing the lists as a waste of time, however, because writing them gets me into a creative mood.

4. Timed free-writing for five minutes

The topic for your free-writing session will be the title of your first chapter.

I’m a fan of free-writing. If you haven’t read Peter Elbow’s amazing books, particularly Writing With Power, get hold of the book as soon as you can. After reading it, I guarantee you you’ll never have problems with getting words onto the page ever again.

Timed free-writing is just what it sounds like. You set a timer, and put pen to paper, or get your fingers traveling across the keyboard. At the end of the time you set, you stop writing. You don’t have to write in complete sentences. You can write fragments of thoughts, or even write a word list. Simply jot down any words appearing in your mind. Do not put any pressure on yourself. Even if you have a report that needs to be finished in an hour, don’t make the subject of your report the topic for your free-writing session. Let whatever words want to come out, emerge. You can whine onto the page about how hard writing is for five minutes, if you wish. If you do, you’ll feel better for having released that limiting thought.

5. Take a break

Close your notebook, switch off your computer and leave your desk. Your break can be short, but take at least ten minutes. Preferably half an hour or an hour. I mean it — LEAVE YOUR DESK.

6. First draft

When you return to your desk, don’t look at any of your word lists, or your free-writing session. Just start to work on a first draft of your outline, and some material for your first chapter. Write as quickly as you can.

I do first drafts on the computer, and I try to type fast, just following whatever thoughts happen to strike me, and not paying any attention to typos or to format. If I’m writing an article or advertising copy, or anything which is under a thousand words, I write the first draft straight through. I aim to take an hour or less to do this. At this stage, my aim is just to get the words written. I can worry about whether they’re the right words later. Right now, I just want words.

You will find that the words come quickly, and that you not only outline your first chapter, but several additional chapters.

What gets into your chapter outline?

You do not need to produce the sort of outline that your English teacher provoked you into producing when you were twelve. The sort of outline you have to produce is one based on elements. Non-fiction is much easier to write than fiction because all non-fiction books similar components. Let’s take a look at a few of them:

* A preface. This is akin to an introduction, but a preface is normally composed by somebody other than the author of the book. It helps if you are able to get somebody notable to contribute the preface.

Note: They may expect payment for this. If this person would lend great credibility to your book, then consider paying them for the foreword. It could make the difference between whether your proposal is easy to sell, or more difficult. If you’re writing in an area in which you don’t have professional expertise — for example, if you’re writing about a medical topic and you’re not a doctor — then getting a foreword written by a professional is worthwhile.

* An introduction. This is optional. Whenever you can not think up anything to put within an introduction, leave it out. Think of admitting an introduction if you would like to tell your own story: how you came to acquire the information you are about to share.

* A “How To utilize This book” section or page. This could be short, or rather long. For instance, if you are composing a book on yoga, you can use this section to give 4 or 5 physical exercise routines, compiled from the assorted poses that you talk over in the remainder of the book.

* Chapters with problems and resolutions. For instance, if you were composing a book on diet, you could write 7 chapters each posing a typical problem, and then furnish resolutions for every problem.

* The finale chapter is the finish up. In this chapter you will prefer to give the audience directions on where they go from here, and you will also want to include some inspirational content.

* A glossary is functional if it will be essential for the audience, new to the field of study. For instance, if your book contains many industry jargon’s which your audience is unacquainted, give explanations of terminology here.

* An index. I’m always frustrated when an otherwise first-class book leaves out an index. Producing an index can be a hassle, but if you believe your readers will utilize it, then go the additional mile and include it.

Will you need graphics or photographs?

If your book needs photos or other graphics, start thinking about them now. For example, if you’re writing about petcare, then by all means send along a couple of relevant photos or graphics with your proposal. However, illustrative material is only useful if it adds value for the reader. Do the other books which cover the same subject as your book include graphics?

If you decide that your book must have graphics, mention this in your proposal. Send along an image or two, even if you’ve only taken them with your own digital camera.

related post

• Write The Blurb And Outline Your Book
• Step Number 7 Write a powerful, attention seizing headline
• Write the proposal
• If You Have Publishing Credits
• Affiliate and Ad Content

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Tags: author, book, book proposal, material, proposal, Writing

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