If you are planning to write an EBook, there are two likely reasons you are doing so. Firstly, you might be writing the EBook to inform an audience of a specific topic. In this case, this article becomes a sourcing guide, to help refine your concept. Secondly, and maybe a bit more common, you are thinking of writing an EBook for the purpose of selling. If this is the case, don’t feel that your art is any less, we all have to make a living, and most authors decide early on that they want to write as a career, then they source around for ideas for their book, and write it. In essence, they have decided to do the same exact thing that you will, less an author plans to give their work away for free.

If you are the latter option, your first step is to brainstorm. Keep a notepad with you and a pen. Anytime you think of something you think might be worth writing about, write it in the notebook. Once you’ve reached a point where you feel comfortable with your ideas (or maybe came across that one great idea), you must act upon it. However, do not discard those ideas that didn’t make the cut, they could be the future books you write.

The first step in refining your concept is to an empathic approach. You must do an initial write-up for your book, and then imagine that you are one of your potential readers. Someone who is a fan of yours and already wants to read your book, and try to imagine how they would react to it. Then, put yourself in the shoes of someone who has never heard of you, and stumbled upon your book by accident, and imagine how they would react to the book. Quickly jot down notes, and pay attention to the second audience member, as you should always be trying to bring in new readers. Modify your concept so that it would appeal.

The next step, in developing your concept, is taking your notes, and writing up a general plot-outline and character sketch. Your characters and unique places and things should be fleshed out as much as possible. Draw sketches, write dialogue, make-up birthdays, anything you have to, in order to bring that character to life in your head. You should also determine who is your main protagonist, and what voice you will tell the story in (3rd Person, 1st, Etc). You should flesh out what major plot points there are in your story. If you’re writing non-fiction, you would determine what topics and lessons you will be covering in each section, while in fiction, you must determine some complexities such as when character development happens, chronological story telling as opposed to flashbacks and multiple story streams.

Once you’ve pulled all of that together, it is now time for you to develop your final outline. Incorporate all of your existing elements into one cohesive outline, and then re-evaluate it, in the same way as step two. Make final edits, and then you should have enough notes to settle into a writing routine.

I hope that my article has helped you with your book! Good Luck, Writers!