A couple of old friends and colleagues reached out after reading last week’s newsletter. Every message I got communicated their endorsement of my newsletters, but a few went ahead to identify my thoughts in the last edition. They confessed that they have had the idea of writing books for years, but for some reason, it just hasn’t happened. Well, as I said last week, I believe many people, especially professionals, creators, leaders, and anyone with significant life experience have a book inside them. Now, they do not have a book in them because writing is a walk in the park, but because their journey or story bears valuable lessons others can learn from. By not writing that book, you deprive those people of the lesson your experience may have taught them. Still, you deny yourself another possible stream of income and, most importantly, a legacy of impact!

So, the question is not so much about recognising that you have a book inside you; it is more about what you do with the fact. From experience, many aspiring authors get stuck at this stage; they feel the idea is too large and intimidating. Even though they are excited about the possibilities that completing the book promises, they think the path is thorny and uncertain, so they retreat into the familiar comfort of procrastination.

Can I help you take the next couple of courageous steps today? Can today’s newsletter fire your inspiration and give you some direction? Come with me, let’s see how far we go. 

Clarify the “Why” of the Book

Now that you have reached that point of conviction that you have a book in you, take a moment to ponder what this book is about. Everything you do in life, not the least writing, must have a purpose. So, why do you want to write this book? Some possible reasons include sharing a personal story that can inspire others, establishing yourself as a thought leader, preserving history or culture, creating a new revenue stream, or simply establishing your legacy of wisdom in certain areas for the benefit of the next generation. Recognising this, you will discover that it is the heartbeat of your book. It makes everything else, including the tone you should adopt and the audience to target, and you find out that it is the compass you’ll return today in and day out when motivation runs low, as is sure to happen. 

Identify Your Audience

Many writers, especially professionals, fall into the trap of believing and saying that their book is for everyone. Everyone may be able to read your book and glean a lesson or two from it, but the most powerful books are those which resonate deeply with a segment of society for some reason. So, who is that one person who needs your message most urgently? Some questions can help you picture them. These include asking yourself who they are, what they are struggling with, what they hope to become, and the ways you, through this book, can help transform them. You’ll be surprised at how this seemingly specific focus garners universal appeal when you do it well. 

What Type of Book are You Writing 

The next issue you must tackle is to define the type of book you are writing. You, of course, know you could be writing anything between. Fiction to non-fiction. And within these two broad genres are a plethora of sub-genres which define your tone, style and approach. Having clarity from the outset preserves your focus and enhances quality. My primary interest is non-fiction, and most professionals who dream of writing would be interested this genre. So, what are you planning to write? Is it a how-to or guidebook which shares practical steps based on your experience? Is it a thought-leadership offering that offers fresh insights and perspectives, a memoir that explores your personal journal and the lessons embedded in it, or a personal or business development book that aims to equip others for success? Deciding on this helps you plan and does justice to your message.

Organise Your Ideas as Simply as Possible.

This is super important because one of the biggest hurdles aspiring authors face is the crowd of ideas that comes at them without any structure to contain them.

I teach a simple approach called the PRESS Framework. PRESS helps a writer move from scattered thoughts to planning a book, which they can execute and bring to life! PRESS means  

Purpose: Why this book?

Reader: Who is it for?

Expertise: What do you know that they need?

Structure: How will you organise the content?

Steps: What actions will help you complete your manuscript?

This approach makes your book ideas stop looking like a mountain. It becomes a clearer journey, with definite milestones that guide you towards your destination.  

Finally, Commit to the First Small Action and the Next Small Action

Books are written in a collection of consistent moments of courage. You do not wish them to life, but you must do the work and commit to continuing it, no matter how few steps you can take at once. So, instead of waiting for the right time, start! Let me suggest a few ideas to get started. 

• Write 200 words or three paragraphs a day
• Commit to two 30-minute writing sessions a week
• Record voice notes capturing story ideas as they come and transfer them when you can.
• Join (or start) a writing accountability group

Understand that it is not so much about writing fast as it is about writing forward, take the steps!

The truth is that writing is not reserved for special people. It doesn’t depend on anyone’s perfect command of any language, limitless free time or magical inspiration. Writing is a commitment to deploy your voice, your experience and your impact story in the service of others, and I promise that you can do it. Someone is waiting for your impact on the other side, and I urge you not to keep them waiting any longer today.

If you are ready to take the first step, I have created a Book Planning Starter Worksheet that will help you define your “why,” identify your reader, and organise your ideas using the PRESS Framework. Reply BOOK to this email and I’ll send it to you. Because yes, you do have a book in you. Now is the time to bring it out, and I want to work with you to get it done.  You can also get a copy of my book, Every Journalist Should Write a Book, for more guidance on how to write your first book.

Have a great week!

Niran Adedokun,

Writer | Communications Strategist | Book Strategist | Author of “Every Journalist Should Write a Book”