It takes a team of connections to write a how-to
I’m delighted to announce that the wonderful Families in Global Transition conference will take place from 12th – 14th March. So far, I have attended at least 15 times. Last year’s live conference was scheduled to take place in Bangkok but was inevitably postponed. Now it has metamorphosised into a virtual event, taking place over three days in four hour slots to suit every time zone. The programme looks jam-packed and fascinating. There are still the same three keynotes, workshops and small group discussions and this time I’ve decided to step out of my comfort zone and do something new. So, I’m running a lightning presentation on How Writing a Book Builds Bridges.
If you are not familiar with the format, let me explain: I have to present 20 slides in six minutes on my topic and I need to talk for exactly 18 seconds per slide. It’s a lot harder than you think to turn a massive topic into 20 bite-sized portions of exactly the same size, I can tell you. As a result I’ve distilled the massive topic of writing what I call a ‘how-to’ book into under 1000 words.
Any writer worth their salt will tell you that all work can be improved by cutting and that in so doing you come to realise what matters and must stay.
It takes a team
I have come to see more clearly than ever that the success of a how-to book hangs on the connections you make. A book like this cannot be written in isolation, by the author alone. No, just as it takes a village to raise a child, I believe it takes a team to write a how-to book. So, here, culled from my presentation, are the main characters you need:
The 15 connections you need if you are writing a how-to book
- People to interview for research
- People to interview for case studies
- Experts who can comment on the points you make and provide quotes
- People to give you feedback along the way
- A support team
- Reviewers
- Beta readers
- Proof readers
- Sub-editor
- Content editor
- Designer
- Someone to make your website and social media pages
- Ideal readers
- People who follow your blog and other social media
- People to help you host launch events
If you want to catch my lightning presentation and the other events at the FIGT conference, tickets cost just $89. All events can be viewed live or at a time to suit you and there are plenty of opportunities for you to make connections and network with participants throughout the weekend.
Join one of my Book Writing Circles if you want to write a book of your own. Details on my Virtual Events page.
