I tell just about all of my clients, students and friends who are working on books that they must get to know their competition. Whether you are writing a period novel, a self-help book, a recipe book, a memoir or a children’s storybook, for example, study other books like yours. Read similar books before you start writing and refer to them often during the process of writing.
I don’t mean for you to copy another author. It’s important that you are true to your voice, your style and your story. But you also want to present your story or material so that it is understandable, a pleasure to read, consistent, accurate and so that it follows the basic rules of good writing. The more familiar you are with the works of excellent writers in your genre, the more apt you are to create works of value to your readers.
What aspects of other books should you pay attention to before you start writing? Here are a few:
• What techniques do other authors use to draw the reader into the book?
• How do these authors hold the readers’ interest?
• What methods do they apply for ending their books?
• Do these authors write in first, second or third person—present or past tense?
• Dissect what makes these books work.
• Look at the way other nonfiction books are organized.
When you are ready to design your book, study other books to determine:
• What makes the cover design work?
• What page layout design is most appealing/workable?
• How do other publishers of such works handle the back cover copy?
• Does this book require an index, glossary, etc. and why?
• How is their table of contents organized?
Study books written by your competitors in order to learn what to do and what not to do. Use these books as examples and models. Refer to them in order to create the best product you can produce. If you can keep an open mind while using the best of books similar to yours, the more likely you are to succeed. Close yourself off from your competition, criticize other authors and refuse to conform and you might just find yourself with a garage full of books you can’t sell.
For more tips, techniques, resources and how to do it, order your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book today. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
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