• By Earma Brown
• Published 07/20/2009
• Writing

Is your book a compelling read? The most compelling non-fiction books are organized like a paved road guiding readers through their chapters. For the most part, people enjoy a journey (even a book journey) on a paved clearly marked road. Instead of leaving your readers to follow a mucky path of disorganization through your book, use the formula below to create a can’t-miss-it road like the yellow brick one in the ‘Wizard of Oz’ movie (1939). Here’s 5 necessary steps found in the acronym C.H.A.P.T.E.R.S. to write a compelling book chapter that your readers won’t put down until they read every last word. 1 CHOOSE your chapter topic. Every chapter begins with determining what you’re going to write about for that specific chapter. As a general rule, there should be ONE primary focus in terms of your chapter topic. What will you write about? 2 HAVE a purpose for each chapter. Decide what you want your reader to do after reading each chapter. Are you explaining a step in a process? Or are you telling a story? To keep your book’s main topic and the content of each chapter focused, make each chapter one complete thought or idea. It should be able to stand alone. 3 ARTICULATE your main message.

To best communicate your main message, write your chapter in sections. Start with an Introduction: Begin each chapter with 3-8 paragraphs of introduction. Then Create an opening statement: For example, you could open each chapter with a thought provoking question or a startling statistic that show

where your audience is now (before reading your book.) Prepare a thesis statement: After your short introduction including your hook (opening statement), write your thesis. Keep it simple; let your readers know what benefits await them if they keep reading. 4 PRESENT your supporting points. To present your supporting points, create the appropriate list, steps, ways or questions and answers that you’ll use as the foundation for your chapter. For example, if you are going to use a “list” in your chapter, then share as many as you can possibly think of, even up to ten or twenty. Also, if you are sharing “ways” or “tips” or “ideas”, the more you can share the better. Why? You’ll soon discover not all of the ideas will be relevant or interesting to the individual reader. But, if you include several ways to do xyz, it’s likely one or more will hit the target and keep your readers happy. 5 TELL the relevant details. TELL the details of your chapter. Use case studies, stories and illustrations. Remember to use the points and sub-points that you’ve mentioned in your outline or table of contents. If, you write 1-3 paragraphs for each of your points or sub-points, you should end up with a basic but meaty chapter. Step out of your comfort zone and create a yellow brick road for each chapter. Use the simple steps above and before you know it you’ll have written a compelling book that your customers are flocking like birds to read. Enjoy the journey. Life is made easier.

Don’t wait any longer! Remember, there’s an audience waiting to read what you have written. Why not get started writing your book manuscript today?