Do you feel that tug on your heart, that nagging feeling that you are supposed to write a book, but don’t know where to start? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’ll talk all about how to write a book when you don’t know what to write about! You’ll also read a bit about my own journey as an author so you know you’re not alone. By the end, you’ll have a solid place to start and a book topic you’re passionate about.
The First Book
When I was a brand new writer, I had this haunting sense that I needed to write a book, but I didn’t know where or how to begin.
I had so many ideas. I was kind of excited about all of them. And I was kind of meh about all of them, too. It depended on the day.
Eventually, I decided to write my memoir first. It’s called “Twelve Clean Pages.” And I went with that first because it seemed more urgent than any of my other ideas.
But it also seemed like it would be the hardest to write. And it was. Every book I have written since has become easier and easier.
Clever Ideas
When it came time to write my second book, I had a few ideas, but I couldn't decide again.
One of the ideas that I entertained for a while was a book for educators about classroom management.
Except, my classroom management was not any better than the teacher in the next classroom, and sometimes it was admittedly worse.
So, I went with something I thought was clever. I decided to write a book called “Goal Minors,” as in kids that go after big accomplishments.
I know it’s corny. Like I said, I was a classroom teacher then, and I loved helping my fifth graders set goals, and this idea just bubbled forth.
Again, I thought it was clever. Heads up: clever almost never works because it pleases the author herself, not the reader.
But still. I had a full book proposal, with lots of cute chapter names and summaries, and after an entire year of working with my agent to refine it to submission to traditional publishers, I could honestly tell that he hated it.
And by then, I hated it too.
Finding the Second Book
I wrote my agent an email and said, “Do you want to see the book I would write if I could write anything I wanted?”
He said, “sure.”
I’m pretty sure this was the last straw, and if I hadn’t come up with something fresh, he would have walked out on me and my book dreams.
I worked hard that weekend and sent him a book proposal for another book for Christians in need of hope during hard times.
It came from my personal interests and not an attempt to please publishers.
My agent loved the new book proposal. And it eventually found a home with a publisher and became “Hunting Hope.” Still a favorite of mine.
Well, they are all favorites, really.
5 Tips for Finding Your Book Topic
After the second book, every single book has been created from the seed of an idea that was already there. I have not had the struggle that I had with my first two.
But I understand what it feels like to be where you are right now. And here are five things I tried that will help you zero in on your book topic.
1. Pray and Ask the Holy Spirit
Often, you feel a strong desire to write a book because He wants you to write a book.
And if you spend time intentionally seeking Him in fasting and prayer, He may tell you what that book needs to be.
I remember pulling away in a hotel room for one night a couple of times over the years to focus in prayer for this reason.
Honestly, I didn’t hear a clear word the first few times, but more than once, I truly did.
2. Review Your Journal
I don’t write a full daily account in a journal like I did when I was a kid, but I do take notes when I am reading in the Bible in the morning. And I do bring a notebook and take notes during the sermon at church.
More often than not, reviewing these journals and notebooks give me seed ideas for books.
Like I just mentioned about the book proposal for Hunting Hope, it was born of my personal interest. It came from my spiritual thoughts in my journal.
Once, I heard Beth Moore say that she finds her next book topic that way.
If she can’t stop thinking about what she has been reading in the Bible, then she speaks about it. And if she can’t stop thinking about it after she speaks about it, then she writes a book about it.
3. Think About Your Ideal Reader
What kind of person can you imagine writing a book for? Start thinking about them, and ask yourself what they need.
Remember when I said I was a teacher wanting to write for teachers, and I came up with ideas for a book about classroom management and a book about helping kids set goals.
That was because I thought about my ideal reader and what she would like to read a book about.
4. Play Around
Action creates clarity, and inaction creates confusion. The more you sit and think without doing anything, the more you will stay stuck spinning in indecision.
So, play around. Get some words on paper. Let yourself feel light and noncommittal. Just jot down some ideas on a legal pad.
A legal pad is my favorite place to collect ideas. I will use different pages to group together ideas that are similar. Then I review them and see what shows up.
You don’t have to make sense of it, just get the ideas out. I always tell my clients, “if you collect the dots, God will connect the dots.”
5. Talk to Someone
Why not invite a friend or two to coffee and ask them what they would like to read a book about?
You could even post a shoutout on social media. In fact, this very article you are reading right now came from this concept.
I knew I had to plan out my content, but I didn’t have any ideas about what I should write or make my content about!
I worried about it until I thought, “I’ll just ask someone.” And I posted a quick shoutout on Instagram, asking what anyone would want to learn more about.
Well, someone responded and asked me to talk about what to do when you want to write a book but don’t know what to write about.
And here we are!
Conclusion
Writing a book can feel daunting and scary when you don’t know what to write about! But don’t lose hope. You can find a topic that you feel passionate about and actually want to write about.
It may take some time, some trial and error, and some perseverance, but your dream of being a published author is not as far away as you might think!
Ultimately, God has the answers. Turn to him in prayer and praise and listen for His guidance. The Holy Spirit does not stay silent when He has called you to a specific purpose.
And when you think you can’t do it, just remember that you “can do all things through Christ who strengthens [you].”
If you found this article helpful, I invite you to share it with others who may benefit from the insights!
Interested in reading more? Take a look at the blog for more encouragement, ideas, and tips!
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If you’d like to download a free sample of my latest book, Page One to Page Done, go to https://www.pageonetopagedone.com/book to download it today!
Ready to finally write that book you’ve been dreaming about for so long? My 5-day challenge, the Bless Your Book Workshop, is the perfect place to start! Sign up now at blessyourbook.com.