5 Steps to Map Out Your Book in January
Are you ready to finally write that book in 2025?
It’s the start of a new year and you have a book you want to write. But where to start? Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, having a roadmap is essential.
I have found this to be true, whether I am starting at the beginning of the year, or the middle of the year.
However, I will assume that you have a dream to write a book this year, but you aren’t sure where to get started. If this is you, this post is for you and today I want to share five simple steps to help you map out your book this month.
Step 1: Choose Your Big Idea
Every great book starts with a big idea. You have a book you want to write. Maybe it is about something that has happened to you or a story you want to tell. No matter what it is, there is one big key:
Keep it simple.
You don’t need a complicated idea. You simply need a straightforward idea that essentially answers one of these two questions:
What problem do I want to solve?
What story do I want to tell?
Don’t try to cover everything. Focus on one idea, one audience, one message. Is this idea something you love? Is it something people need or want? Will people buy a book about this idea?
Quick Tip: If you can’t explain your book idea in one sentence, simplify it.
Step 2: Brainstorm Your Chapters
Think of your chapters as a roadmap that guides your readers. They don’t have to be perfect yet. You can brainstorm your chapters by creating a mind-map that allows you to get down 10 to 12 main ideas within your book idea. Here’s how to brainstorm your chapters:
Write down the main topics or themes you want to cover.
Then organize them in a logical order.
For most books, aim for eight to twelve chapters. That’s enough to give your book structure without overwhelming you or your readers, especially if you are just starting out.
Step 3: Outline Each Chapter
Once you have your chapter list, go deeper by outlining each one. For each chapter, write a three to five-sentence summary that includes:
The main point you want to make
The key takeaway for the reader
A story, example, or actionable tip to bring the chapter to life
This step will make writing your first draft much easier. These can be arranged in order to give you a template for writing each chapter too. It would look like this:
Intro story.
Main point: problem and solution.
Key takeaway with actionable step.
Step 4: Set a Writing Schedule
A book won’t write itself. You need a schedule to stay on track. The good news? You don’t need to write for hours a day. You simply need to decide on how long you want to write and how many words you want to write.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
Decide how long you want your chapters to be, try this: 1,000 to 2,000 words. This would make a 12 chapter book with an introduction and conclusion 14,000 to 28,000 words.
Decide how many words you want to write in a day. Shoot for 500 to 1,000 words. If you want to do 500 words per day that is 28 to 56 days depending on how many words each chapter will be.
Then, schedule your time, place, and how long you will write for in your calendar. Once that is done, stick to your schedule.
Step 5: Get Feedback Early
Don’t wait until your book is finished to get feedback. Share your outline with a trusted friend, mentor, or writing group. Ask them:
Is my message clear?
Does the structure flow logically?
Early feedback can save you from major rewrites later. And it can help you validate your idea. Now, you can ask a friend, but consider this: is my friend my target audience? If not, they may not be the best person to give you feedback.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re serious about writing a book this year, I’d love to help you map it out, write your first draft, and self-publish it in ninety days.
Join The Minimalist Author Way — my nine-module course designed to take you from idea to bestselling author.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
How to outline, write, and self-publish your book
Practical, minimalist strategies to stay on track
How to build a successful author brand
Click the link to sign up and start your book journey. Let’s make 2025 the year you become a published author.
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My name is J.R. Heimbigner and I am a #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon with 18 self-published books. I have something I want to share with you:
Also, this post may contain sales or affiliate links, so I might get a little kickback if you purchase anything. Thank you in advance!