Where are you going to publish your book? I found out that this is the biggest fear of new writers. Since they have no clue about the publishing world and what to do with a finished book, they don’t start. Or they pick the wrong path and end up being financially taken advantage of, their book goes unnoticed, or they never publish it at all. 👉🏼Having a goal of WHERE you want your book to land when it’s done is part of the writing process. Maybe you don’t want it to go anywhere, but in the hands of a few people, that’s fine. It’s your book – you choose. ✨Action step: Take a look at books similar to what you want to write. Look at the covers, how they were published. Perhaps all you need for your book is something that can be read on an e-reader. Or maybe you see your book being sold at your speaking events. Perhaps you see it on a bookstore shelf. Types of Publishing: 📕TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING 📕Hybrid Publish 📕Vanity Press 📕Partner Publishing

HOW are you going to tell your story? This is more than sentence style or voice. It’s about perspective, the lens, the tempo. This is the structure behind your story, the start of the framework we’ve been building. Sometimes you may change your mind halfway through—but the clearer you are now, the less likely you are to lose momentum later. The first thing I like to figure out is the story’s point of view. Once you know who’s telling the story, then you can consider how the story is being told. Do you have a narrator that’s reliable, snarky, or unreliable? Then it’s a good idea to figure out if you’re in the present or the past. What tense are you using? Are things happening now, or going to happen, or was this all in the past? Then there is the voice. Voice and tone can change and evolve as you write, just like your character, but it helps to begin with a vision. Will your language be lush and lyrical or sharp and sparse? Are you trying to sound like a child? A poet? A weary adult who’s seen too much? Voice isn’t just about the words; it’s about attitude, rhythm, and presence on the page. It’s the part of you your readers will feel even when they can’t name it. I know this one is a lot to take in. But break it down into one piece at time.

Thy WHY of your journey is where everything begins and ends with each book you write. This is a critical step that many new and seasoned writers forget to do, or don’t know they need to do. ❓Why is your WHY so important? Your WHY will guide you to understanding WHO you are writing for. Also, when you feel like quitting (and all writers do) you why is the drive and hammer behind the ink. Take some time, no matter what stage you’re at in writing and discover your WHY. There is no right or wrong answer. However, you have to be truthful and honest with yourself. Expectations of others are not needed in your reasons. This is all about you. 👉🏼My WHY? Because I want to give children the opportunity to see and learn about different viewpoints, while taking them on a journey. I want them to see the world from different angles while at the same time learning about themselves. Feeling comfortable sharing?? Share your why in the comments. HINT - seeing other authors and their why's is very inspiring and it's a great way for us to cheer you on.

Who is your book for? Most writers their first response will be - myself. But if you're writing a book - you are writing or a READER. Who is your reader though? The answer cannot be everyone, because not everyone reads or likes the same books. You know why you're writing, and your who is tied in with that. Take some time to really narrow down your reader. Even picture a particular person you are aiming your book for. If you're writing for everyone your book will fall flat. It won't resonate. It won't reach. Example: Does a 12 year old into ghost stories read a young adult novel about love? Nope. Does someone who only reads self-help books want to read your cozy British mystery? Think about ALL of the categories and shelves at the library and bookstore. They are there for a reason. So find your WHO.

What is y our book about. Now this seems like a fairly easy straight-forward question. But, a lot of writers have trouble telling you what their book is about. We try to tell the ENTIRE story – which, yes, is what your book is about, but this needs to be something you can say in two – three sentences. If you asked me what my book was about, and I went on and on for 5 -10 minutes (without prodding) I would lose you. Essentially what your book is about is the main PLOT - what your character wants, what gets in their way, and how they get there. Your what is your book blurb, your elevator pitch – your FRAMEWORK to keep you focused and on track. Before you start writing, or even if you’re halfway through – see if you can up with three sentences that describe what your book is about. It should be something your WHO will understand. Here’s the formula for discovering your WHAT: · What does my main character want more than anything? · What’s standing in their way? · How will they grow, change, or fall apart by the end?