Where Do You Start When You Have a Book Idea?
It all starts with a great idea…
You’ve come up with a book idea that’s got you jazzed at the idea of writing. You might be eager to dive into outlining it or, if you’re a pantser, drafting some of your ideas onto paper. Though that might sound like the more exciting route, it might not be the one that will best serve you in the long run.
Think of it like this: Your book idea is your seed of inspiration, right? But your book concept is your understanding of how that seed will grow. Every seed is different, and requires preliminary work and research to improve its chances of thriving in your garden.
If you want your future bestseller to thrive, you’ve got to lay the initial groundwork. This involves assessing some of the bigger picture aspects of your book’s idea so you can formulate a solid concept. Before you start burying yourself in character development and plotlines and twists, there are a few things you should consider first.
Identify your source of inspiration.
What is fueling this creative venture?
Your source of inspiration is the thing that sparks your creativity. It’s what keeps you motivated throughout any creative project. Moving from a basic book idea to a clear concept starts with understanding what really drives your story. It could be a setting, character dynamic, personal experience, conflict, or field of expertise. Take the time to assess and clarify what your source of inspiration is. This will help you establish the foundation for a focused and genuine storyline with a clear theme that connects with readers.
Your book’s central theme is the main message or idea that runs through your story; whether it’s love and romance, friendship and loyalty, self-discovery and identity, or anything in between. Understanding your source of inspiration provides insight into the core message and purpose behind the writing you plan to put forth on the page.
Reflection Questions:
What initially sparked my interest in writing this story?
What aspects of my story resonate most deeply with me?
What overarching message or idea do I want readers to take away from my book?
How do I want my readers to feel or what do I want them to understand after reading my book?
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Get to know your future readers.
You've conceived a brilliant book idea, but have you thought about who your readers are?
Having identified your source of inspiration, the next vital step is understanding your future readers. While writing a book is undoubtedly a personal achievement, selling copies and connecting with readers requires you to keenly understand your audience. Getting to know your future readers before you start outlining and writing your book allows you to tailor your story (and your author platform) to their preferences and expectations.
Understanding your target audience's demographics, interests, and reading habits will help you craft characters and plots that resonate deeply with them. Integrating your characters' traits with your audience's expectations creates relatable protagonists and captivating storylines, forging a stronger bond with your readers and immersing them in your narrative.
Reflection Questions:
Who specifically am I writing this book for? What are their age, gender, occupation, and other demographic details?
What types of stories do my potential readers typically enjoy? What are their favorite books or authors?
How can I ensure that my main characters embody traits and experiences that resonate with my intended readership?
How do the actions and development of my characters contribute to the central theme of the story and enhance its relevance and appeal to my target audience?
Explore potential book genres.
In what genre does your book most likely fit?
Identifying your book genre helps you determine the narrative style you’ll use and ways to target your story to meet reader preferences. Choosing the right genre ensures your book aligns with market trends and stands out among similar titles, increasing its visibility and appeal to potential readers. Understanding your genre guides your creative decisions, from character development to literary conventions.
To determine the most suitable genre, consider the central theme of your book and the tone you wish to convey. Reflect on the emotional impact you want your story to have on readers. This will guide you to know the type of book you’re writing and the best genre placement for it.
Reflection Questions:
How do you envision the overall atmosphere or mood of your book?
How do you want readers to feel emotionally when they engage with your story?
Are there any particular narrative styles or storytelling techniques you're drawn to?
Considering your characters and plot, what genre do you believe would best showcase your story's unique qualities and appeal to your intended audience?
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Assess the market trends and gaps.
Where does your story idea fit in the current publishing market?
Listen, this might all sound a little too business-y, but there are millions of books published per year and your amazing book idea must get noticed in the way it deserves. To do that, you’ve got to position your future book strategically by being aware of current literary trends and identifying gaps in the market. By staying informed about current market trends and consumer preferences, you can tailor your book concept to meet existing demand while also identifying potential gaps or niches to explore.
Researching this helps you tap into popular themes while also offering something unique that stands out from the crowd. Strive for a balance between originality and market appeal. While it's important to bring fresh and unique ideas to your book, consider how your concept aligns with reader expectations and trends within your chosen genre. This balance can make your book both innovative and commercially viable.
Reflection Questions:
What books are currently dominating bestseller lists in your potential genre?
What are literary agents and publishers currently seeking in submissions for this genre?
What are readers saying about recent books in that genre?
How can I strike a balance between staying true to my creative vision and meeting the expectations of readers and the demands of the market?
Create a concept statement.
A book concept statement will encapsulate the essence of your book idea, providing you a clear direction for the outlining and writing process. It is not for marketing or promotion, or something for you to share with your future readers (unless you want to). It’s for you to have a baseline for the type of book you’re going to outline and write.
You can use this formula to try and help you craft a concept statement: My book concept is inspired by [source of inspiration]. It is tailored to resonate with [target audience] through [chosen genre]. It explores [central themes], delivering a captivating narrative that blends [uniqueness with market appeal].
By articulating these key aspects concisely, you'll gain clarity and direction for outlining and writing a book that resonates with readers while remaining true to your creative vision.
Writing is Not for the Weak
Anyone who’s ever said writing a book seems easy has clearly never tried it before. (Come check my hard drive of the 97 WIPs I’m petrified of and then tell me it’s easy.) So many aspiring writers never end up completing a manuscript because it seems like an intimidating and demanding process.
But it doesn’t have to be!
If you’ve got a killer book idea but are unsure of what to do next or how to turn it into a book outline, reach out to us. We can support you in transitioning from idea to concept and get ready to write your manuscript to completion.
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