Many people, once they decide that it’s time to write their book, article, blog post, or piece of web copy, simply sit down and start writing whatever comes to mind.
There’s actually a name for this process. It’s called “Discovery Writing”—and discovery is exactly what a non-directed process is useful for. It’s a way to get familiar with the writing process, hash out vague ideas, and channel information from your subconscious onto the page. It’s a great way to write when you don’t know what to write, when you’re journaling or brainstorming, or when you’re trying to get to the bottom of a complex emotional or ideological issue.
What discovery writing is not useful for, however, is creating immediately usable and focused material. Rather, it produces the raw ingredients you will need to cook the complex meal which is a well-written book, article, or blog.
If you want to write in a way that speaks to your readers—in a way that’s totally on-point with message and tone, and delivers information in a relatable and actionable way—you need to have a clear plan of action for your writing process.
Beginning with discovery writing, in many cases, actually makes the writing process harder. When you don’t have a plan for your writing, you can end up writing a piece that’s disjointed, out of order, or totally off-topic. When that happens, it’s easy to get frustrated or overwhelmed by the amount of revision and organization that’s needed.
On the other hand, some writers mistakenly believe that first-draft discovery writing equals a finished piece. Subsequently, they publish their work without revising, editing, or honing it. This results in a piece that’s disorganized, unclear, and doesn’t serve readers.
When you’re writing in a format that promises to help people understand new concepts, solve problems, or make changes in their lives, you need a solid plan to deliver your information in a way that makes sense to readers, not just to you.
When clients come to me to help them write their books, we always start our process by getting excruciatingly clear about five vital points. Today, I’m going to share them with you.
THE 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU START WRITING
- Your topic:I know, I know. You’re thinking, “Duh! Of course I need to know what I’m writing about!” But the fact is, most people aren’t totally clear on their topic when they start writing, and that lack of certainty leads to all kinds of false starts. A vague direction like “I want to write about happiness” isn’t enough to keep your writing on-topic. Get as specific and targeted as you can with your subject matter. If you’re not sure, take the time to get to know …
- Your audience: Who are your ideal readers? What do they need? What specific problem can you solve for them? What images, stories, and examples speak to them most strongly? Knowing who you’re writing for will go a long way toward helping you narrow the focus of your piece.
- The outcome you want to create for your readers:What do you want your readers to learn from this piece of writing? What action(s) do you want to inspire them to take? This information will help you choose what and how to write, because—and this is vital—every story, every action step, and every WORD in your book, article, or blog should be chosen with your readers’ results in mind!
- Why you are writing:A strong, clear purpose and mission will carry your piece and infuse it with the power of your conviction. Why are you really writing this? Why are you passionate about this topic? More, why are you passionate about creating a certain outcome for your readers?
- What you want to include: Of course, many of the specifics will emerge during the creative process of writing your first draft. But if you want to write efficiently and stay on target and on-message, it’s good to know some of the basic elements you want to include in your piece, such as:
- Stories (your own or other people’s)
- Case studies/testimonials
- Action steps
- Reflections
- Statistics
- References
Once you know all of the above, you can make a detailed action plan for your writing—a little something known as an outline. Once that’s done, writing your first draft becomes a much more efficient process.
The moral of the story is this: there’s no wrong way to write. But there are steps you can take to make your writing more efficient, more targeted, and more helpful to your readers. Getting clear on the 5 vital points above is a great way to start.
Happy writing, everyone!
