(Note: A post was added after part 1 of “How to Begin Blogging Your Book.” That’s what happens when you blog a book in real time. Sometimes you realize you’ve written something in the wrong order.”)
Lest you wonder why I’m focusing so much on your blogged book’s subject, theme, etc., let me explain. Part of the exercise of getting ready to blog your book involves getting really clear about what you are blogging about, why you are blogging a book, and how you are going to move forward both with our writing and with the business of blogging and publishing. We are now starting to delve into some areas that will become important for a book proposal.
Ah…I hear some of you saying you don’t plan on writing a book proposal. You will simply have your blog discovered. Even then you might be asked to submit a proposal; therefore, you might want to be ready to write one. Also, it behooves anyone who wants to write a book of any type to go through the proposal-writing process. Doing so constitutes coming up with a business plan for your book. You need to do that. That’s all I’ll say about this for now; I’ll elaborate on this topic later.
Your book may involve a primary idea, but it needs to focus on a certain topic, or organizing principle. This constitutes its theme. A book may cover several topics that support or expand upon an idea.
What is your core idea?
What is your topic? Or do you have several topics?
This book revolves around the idea of blogging. Its topic is blogging a book. Within that topic, I am discussing several sub-topics.
Write a theme statement about your book’s subject. This is a statement that makes an assertion about your book.
As examples, look at these two descriptions of theme statements, which I recently came across:
The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Success by Achieving More with Less by Richard Koch: A minority of causes, inputs, or efforts leads to a majority of the results, outputs, or rewards.
Trust Agents: Using The Web To Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith: “Building and using networks of influence can positively impact your business.”
How to Begin Blogging Your Book: Identify Your Book’s Theme (part 4)
Question (and if you’ve covered this, I apologize — I looked but didn’t see it): When blogging a book, is one writing through/of the process, or solely posting what she would want the “finished” pieces to look like, as she goes along?
Thanks!
You are actually writing the book as you would want the finished pieces to look. However, you might leave a bit out to include later in a “hard copy” version. A publisher might want a little original “unpublished” material included in the traditionally published version.
Hi Nina,
I just discovered your blog today and have spend an hour – or more 🙂 – devouring it!
A quick question… I have over 300 pages of a book that I wrote years ago when travelling which is comprised of mostly my emails back to friends about my adventures – (pre-blog I guess!)… I’ve wanted to publish it for a while and have just started my own blog (website above) about other stuff.
Would you recommend creating a NEW site for the book, and posting in chronological order pieces of the book, with extras, and link to my current site as the author – or would you recommend creating a new page on my existing site (even though the content of the book would be off topic with my current blog)?
I dont mind creating a new site, but am not certain if that’s the best way to go… I could also use a free site, like blogger purely for the purpose of gaining an audience for the book before publication?
Thoughts?!
Thank you for so much great information today, I have been toying with this idea for a few years now, and more so in the last few months! I love how focus of attention brings the answers…and here you are!
Ali J 🙂
Ali J,
If your book is totally off topic, you need a separate blog. The whole point is to create all those keywords so you become discoverable. It will muddy things up if you have too many topics in one place. Make sense?
Hi Nina,
Thanks for the quick reply!
I felt that was the right answer…I am a little overwhelmed with the thought of starting another one at this time – but I will keep reading your site (and the emails as they come) and allow the excitement to build until there is no other option for me but to make time and do both!!!
🙂
Ali