[Tipster] Narrowing the Idea of Your Book

In this edition of Tipster, our focus is on narrowing the idea for your book. 

It's one thing to write a 600-word blog.

Another thing to write a long-form article of 3,500 words or more.

And a 50,000-word book is, well, a completely different species altogether.

For starters, you need an idea that is big enough for 50,000 words.

Big and Narrow

Yes, the idea needs to be big enough that you can wax eloquently (and compellingly) for chapters on end.

But the more specific the idea, the better.

Isn't it absolutely nuts that a book is about a singular idea?

And yet the book is filled with thousands of sentences and tens of thousands of words that support that one idea?

Simple Hack to Winnow Your Idea

I (Dave) am working on a new book idea. I have been for years. I've made some progress. Started a chapter. Thought about the book outline.

But as I started to write my first chapter, I realized my idea is too soft. Too undefined. Too amorphous. Too squishy.

So, I asked Melissa to interview me for 30 minutes.

The results were amazing. Her relentless questions and her asking me to illustrate my idea forced me to say things I had not said before.

I became more clear on exactly what my book is about.

Even if you are halfway through your book, you may want to ask someone to interview you about your idea. It shouldn't be your mom. Or your girlfriend. Can't be a fanboy or fangirl.

This person must be someone who can ask good questions - and expect you to clarity your idea.

This is really a miraculous little hack. Do it. And you'll find yourself making faster progress in your writing.