Here’s a rundown of the key elements of that framework:
Your Perspective
Why are you writing this book and what are your goals? Do you want to make money or do you want to establish your legacy? You may simply want to share life stories with your family and friends or perhaps share your expertise with colleagues. Another purpose is to validate your credentials with prospects and clients. Handing them a book says a lot more about than a business card!
Abstract
What is your book about and who is for? Consider the personas who will be interested in your book, and
narrow your audience so readers feel as though you are talking to them one-on-one. Sometimes, it helps to think of single person you are writing for.
The abstract should also include the benefits of reading the book. What problems will the book help readers solve? What opportunities will the book help readers seize? How does the book explain how to solve the challenges or seize the opportunities?
Also, how are you qualified to impart this knowledge? What is your unique perspective or expertise? Just as importantly—what sets you apart from others writing about the same topic?
Working Titles
The working main title and subtitle are starting points that change over time. The main title can be an attention-grabber that sounds interesting and may leave people wondering what the book is about.
The subtitle can be specifically what the book is about.
Positioning Statement
Write one sentence that helps you focus on the mission:
<Main Title> is a <book type> book that helps <primary audience> achieve <primary benefit>.
Examples:
Lead Your Journey is a self-improvement book that helps business leaders transition from living their lives the way they are supposed to living their lives the way they are meant to.
The Ice Cream Done Turned! is a memoir that tells the stories of Jim “Big Daddy” Fowlkes, so his family and friends remember or discover what he was like and what he experienced throughout his life.
Chapter Titles and Key Points
This part of the framework is a high-level outline. The number of chapters and bullet points can vary and will change over time, but like the titles, they serve as a starting point.
Before drafting each chapter, you will expand the bullet points into complete chapter outlines. The introduction and conclusion chapters don’t need to be titled; these chapters are usually written after the main chapters are drafted. For the main chapters, you do not need to come up with the exact title; for this framework, it can just be what the chapter is about.