Part of the reason many people hesitate to start writing a book is
because they've got so much material in their heads, and often those
ideas are all jumbled up.
Once you've gotten clear on the
purpose of your book, the next step is
a working table of contents. The easiest way to start building the
contents is with a simple list.
Open a new file (or start with a blank piece of paper), write your
purpose at the top of the page and start listing the ideas or items you
know you want to include in your book. Don't worry about order at this
point; just get the list down.
Ideally your list will have 10 to 15 items, but don't worry if you
have way more or way less... this is just a starting point.
Give yourself plenty of time to create this list. Don't be surprised
if it takes you several days or even longer.
Once you feel like the list is reasonably complete, bring some order
to it. What needs to go first, second, etc. As you work on
ordering the list you'll probably find some items need to be combined
and others need to be split. You may find something new to add.
Again, give yourself lots of time to order the list. At this point,
there is no deadline.
Voila - You've Got A Table Of
Contents
The ordered list is your basic working table of contents. Each item
is analogous to a chapter title. Most of the time, the way you've
written the items won't make a snappy chapter title; sometimes they
will. It doesn't matter at this point.
Congratulate yourself because you've gotten the basic structure of
your book down.
What you do with your ordered list depends on how you like to work.
Some people are more comfortable adding to the list with subheads for
each main item. This can actually develop into a formal outline if you
like.
Others are ready to begin getting the writing done once they've got
their main items ordered. You may even find you do some sort of
combination.
And if you don't know how you'd like to proceed, experiment. Do some
writing - if it works, you're on your way. If, on the other hand, you
start feeling lost, go back and fill in your Table of Contents a bit
more.
Keep in mind:
- Books don't necessarily get written front to back. You can start
writing anyplace you like. Obviously, as you near completion you'll
have all the pieces in place and in order, but it doesn't have to be
done in a direct line.
- Your working table of contents is likely to change as you work
with the material - that's why it's a working table of contents.
- There's no one way to get a book written, and, in spite of what
you've heard, no best way that works for everyone. This is your book
and you get to get it written in your own way.
Write well and often!
