The Nuts and Bolts of Writing – Finding your Book’s Focus and Structure

Finding the focus and structure of your book takes some trial and error runs on your part. Finding your focus is not the same as finding your topic or your BIG IDEA. Your focus is the dramatic premise or theme of your book. It not only identifies your essential themes for the entire work it also helps focus the writing. This in effect draws the reader into the content and makes the reading much more meaningful.

There are several techniques to find focus. You can begin by identifying a single image, detail or quote that conveys your message or you can list important actions taking place in the work.  This list eventually becomes your working outline as you begin to organize the information into recurring themes or messages.