One of the most common questions aspiring authors ask is: How do I start writing my book?
Just the other day, I had an amazing conversation with a mentor and friend of mine. He’s retired now, and with extra time on his hands, he has become a voracious reader. We’re talking about three hours a day, every single day. But he doesn’t just read—he takes notes, organizes his thoughts, and really absorbs the material.
As we talked, he shared something interesting with me. Over the years, several friends and colleagues had encouraged him to turn all of his research into a book. The problem? He had no idea where to start. So, knowing that I’ve been through the publishing process myself, he asked me point-blank: Bob, what’s the cheat sheet? How does someone take all these ideas, this mountain of notes, and turn it into a book?
I realized that my advice to him might be just as helpful for you. So today, I’m going to walk you through the same process I shared with him. In just a few minutes, you’ll have a clear roadmap to get started.
Step 1: Define Your Reader
A book isn’t written for everyone—it’s written for someone. One of the biggest mistakes new authors make is trying to appeal to a broad audience. But the truth is, if you try to reach everyone, you end up reaching no one.
For my friend, his book wasn’t meant for the masses. It was for his kids and grandkids. That clarity made everything else easier. So for you, ask yourself: Who is my ideal reader? Who is the person that will pick up this book and think, This was written just for me?
You don’t need every tiny detail about them, but you should have a general idea. Are they entrepreneurs? Parents? College students? The clearer your reader, the stronger your book will be.
Step 2: Identify the Problem Your Book Solves
A book is not a hypothesis. It’s a conclusion.
Think about it—books aren’t a collection of half-baked ideas or scattered thoughts. They are a definitive statement. They say, I’ve wrestled with this topic. I’ve done the work. Here’s what I’ve learned.
So, what is your book’s core message? What problem does it solve?
For my friend, his challenge was sifting through years of research and distilling it into something meaningful. Maybe for you, it’s helping readers improve their finances, deepen their faith, or achieve a specific goal. Whatever it is, you need to be crystal clear on it.
Once you know your reader and the problem your book solves, everything starts to take shape.
Step 3: Create a Structure
Now that you know who you’re writing for and why you’re writing, it’s time to determine how you’ll structure your book. A good book isn’t just a collection of thoughts—it has a clear framework.
Some common structures include:
- List-Based Books – Think 5 Ways to Build a Business, 7 Steps to Better Health, or 10 Lessons I Wish I Knew Sooner.
- Chronological Journeys – Maybe you walk the reader through a year in your life, with each chapter representing a season.
- Theme-Based Books – Each section focuses on a different key lesson, principle, or strategy.
There’s no one “right” way to structure a book. The key is simply to have a structure. Without it, your book will feel scattered. But with it, your ideas will fall into place.
Here’s the hard truth: books don’t write themselves. At some point, you have to sit down, block out distractions, and do the work.
One of the biggest lessons I learned from playing baseball for so many years is this: You have to show up every day.
In baseball, it doesn’t matter if you won or lost yesterday. When the game starts, the scoreboard is set to 0-0. That’s how writing works too. Some days, you’ll feel inspired. Other days, you won’t. But if you keep showing up, word by word, the pages add up.
A simple way to stay accountable is to set a goal. Let’s say your book will be around 200 pages, and you want to write it in six months. That means you need to write roughly a page and a half per day—Monday through Saturday—with Sundays off.
It sounds simple, but it’s powerful. Because if you do that—if you just show up and put in the work—then in six months, you won’t just have an idea. You’ll have a manuscript.
Final Thoughts
So let’s recap. If you want to write a book, here’s your roadmap:
- Define your reader. Who is this book for? Get specific.
- Identify the problem your book solves. Books are about conclusions, not just ideas.
- Create a structure. Whether it’s a list, a journey, or a framework, give your book a skeleton.
- Commit to writing. Set a realistic goal, block out time, and just do the work.
The difference between someone who wants to write a book and someone who does write a book? Discipline. The willingness to show up, even when it’s hard.
If you have any questions about writing, publishing, or selling your book, shoot me a note via email at hello@bobwheatley.iatdemo.getuwired.com. And remember: The shortest way to a bestselling book is having a bestselling plan.
