Book Chapters - Organize and Outline with Mind-Mapping

Book writing using mind-mapping makes chapters easy to read, compelling, and consistent for readers. Book sales increase accordingly.

Authors who want each chapter format to be consistent will want to use the mind-mapping way to outline chapters. Mind-mapping is a color-coded note taking technique that offers the author a flexible approach. This picture approach through color-coded key words on branches add details your readers will love. Now, the author will know at a glance what's important to include in each chapter.

MInd-Mapping - What it Does for the Author

Mind-mapping features key words on a branch from the center.

Mind-mapping branches for non-fiction will include...

1. The hook and introduction. (one branch-one color)
2. The thesis and benefits follow the introduction. (another color)
3. The main body of the chapter to include questions the reader wants answered. (another color) This part includes answers to the readers' questions to follow the headings.
4. The chapter's conclusion to include a short summary of answers and a final sentence that features benefits in the next chapter to invite the reader want to keep reading.

For fiction, mind-map branches will include...

1. Theme
2. Setting
3. Characterization
4. Plot.
5. The important parts of who, what, where, when, and how. Some branches have sub branches/topics and details that deepen the chapter's impact.

Mind-mapping allows and expands flexible thinking which makes your writing more authentic and not lecture sounding. The author can add or subtract a thought easily. It is an excellent way to plan your whole book and outline your book chapters because your readers don't want you to tell them what you know. They want their concerns answered creatively rather than a canned lecture you took from old notes.

A super-learning author, I know that the mind remembers color and pictures far better than a list or words. When you put your chapter title or main idea in the center of and 81/2 by 11" paper, you connect that with the five or six different colored branches that offer categories you will discuss in each non-fiction chapter. Used the following benefits increased the completion of my books and allowed me more time to focus on editing and marketing.

Six Benefits of Mind-Mapping

1. Creative thinkers will love mind-mapping because they are not trapped by the limited linear format of 1, 2, and 3. A mind-map is open-ended and open-minded, so mistakes are accommodated easily. When you get new "ahas" or ideas, you can just add a new branch with new key words.
2. The author can see the big and little picture with mind-mapping. On each branch that emanates from the center, you put only three to five concrete or color words. These concrete key words are far easier to remember than long notes.
3. Mind-maps speed up your writing because you only write key phrases. Using the mind-map for a reference instead of long notes allows your writing to flow naturally. Your authentic self comes out and you've found your writers voice easily. If you need to fatten up your chapter, just go to your chapter file folders where you keep your research and add sparingly.
4. Mind-mapping allows you to see the whole related to the parts. Your thesis, chapter titles, and chapter contents all flow because you answered each question your readers had. This fast-forward chapter writing technique allows me to write at least three books each year.
5. Mind-mapping organizes your chapter easily, so it is more compelling, more focused, and easier to read.
6. Sales increase because when people understand your information easily, they will become your 24/7 sales team and recommend your book to many more buyers.

When you mind map your chapters you know where you are going and write more naturally, giving your readers what they want--easy to read information that flows.

Book Chapter Tips for Non-Fiction Best Sellers

If you are writing a book and want to update it to book criticism publisher standards, you need to change your present chapter notes that may lecture your readers rather than engage them.

Think Wow Chapter Project Writing

Some mentors advise, just write it down and edit it later. But as a long-time bookcoach I say not true. When you write a book chapter you will want to create a message that makes a difference in your readers' lives, engages him, and delivers an easy-to-read style that includes answering book questions she has.

Your target audience has challenges it wants answers for. If your writing is ho hum, and telling readers what to do, they will turn off and not keep turning those pages.

Before you write a word do some book planning, your chapter specifically. Please your audience and compel them to finish each chapter because it serves them. You give them skills and information that helps solve their problems. Engage your readers in the chapter's beginning ( the hook, thesis and benefits), middle (the how to's, stories, tips) and he ending (summarizing, then motivating them to read the next chapter.

Viola! Now your 24/7 sales team is ready to tell the world about your useful, entertaining book.

What Kills the Wow Factor

Most writers start writing before they are sure of their print or eBook's main focus or thesis. The thesis is your book's major answer for a problem your targeted audience has. "The Number 1 Way to Market Your Book Online" has its thesis built into the title, a definite plus. You know by the title you'll learn a great marketing technique that helps you solve your challenge of not selling enough books.

Maybe you are writing for a general audience such as the Chicken Soup series. That kind of book requires you speak to each one of your audiences in each chapter. You will be better off to divide and conquer-write a different book for each audience. Now, you'll have a series that is easier to market, since it sets you up as the expert. And, when you visualize only one audience as you write each chapter you'll engage them with your more personal and clear approach, especially for them.

Here's Three Steps to Format a Chapter

1. The Opening.

Here, include a question or two on where your reader is now with his particular problem. Or, hook with a shocking fact.

State the benefits your reader will get and state the purpose of the chapter. These motivate the reader to go on.

2. The Middle.

The meat of the chapter. Offer headings that hook your readers by the collar to keep reading. For example, "Why Article Marketing Beats Traditional Marketing 10 to 1." Answer challenges with tips, check lists, case studies, stories and pertinate quotes.

Sprinkled throughout your chapter you may place author tips indented 10 spaces, into boxes. You may choose to do the same for related quotes as Julia Cameron did in "Artists Way."

3. The End.

Some authors use a simple summary, others choose action steps, and finally after these, leave your reader with a benefit statement to introduce and pull them into the next chapter.

Remember, your targeted audience reading self help or how to books wants solutions to problems. Each chapter in your book with different theses should show them how.

Visit book coach Judy Cullins for guidance to write and publish yourself online.

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