From Chaos to Clarity: Crafting an Outline for Your Non-Fiction Book

Season 1, Episode 19,   Jul 09, 2023, 11:42 PM

Outlining really is the best way to plan and structure your book - it stops you from facing the blank page each time you write, and it also means you get your message across in the right way for your reader. 

For me, it’s an essential step of the writing process and one that all non-fiction writers should take to get the best possible book written. 

But how do you create an outline? Don’t worry; you’ll discover the whole process in this episode.

You’ll learn:

  • The essential stages of outlining - so you don’t miss out the critical elements of your book’s structure
  • Why the TV show Grand Designs is closely related to the outlining process - and what you can learn from house-building to help you approach it in the best way
  • Which sections you should be putting into each chapter so your book is structured in a logical and helpful way for the reader 
And so much more!

Outlining your non-fiction book takes the pressure off writing your first draft - it gets things moving, which is the first hurdle. It’s the force that pushes past inertia, so momentum kicks in.

I know it can feel like a complex process, but once you get into the swing of things, it does get easier and takes on a life of its own.

And this episode will help you on your way! 

Enjoy - and happy outlining!

Further resources:

  • You can read more about publishing in this blog post.

  • Books/resources mentioned in this episode:


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Steph’s books:

  • Dare to Write: How to Write a Non-Fiction Book to Grow Your Business - Amazon
  • Dare to Write: How to Write a Non-Fiction Book to Grow Your Business - CHW website

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*Disclaimer: if you buy a copy of a book I have linked to in these show notes, I’ll receive a small commission as an Amazon affiliate. If you’d rather buy your books elsewhere, I completely understand.