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Posts tagged system
Writing a Book. Two Tips from the Expert Trenches
01 year ago
by Glen
in Write a "how to" book
I was speaking to a colleague in a different industry who was considering writing a book. She asked if I could give her some tips as an expert. I was somewhat taken aback. After all, I had never thought of myself that way before. Even after a half-dozen or so books, (real books not the extended report types that masquerade as eBooks), I realize that I’m still not comfortable with the concept of being an expert writer.
After recovering somewhat, I realized two things.
First o
ff, I really hate the word expert, most especially when applied to a writer. 
After all, who decides who is an expert? Every book is a new adventure — for the reader and for the author.
The second thing I realized was, even as a newly promoted “expert” (hold on, my fingernails need buffing here 
) I need writing tips. After all, I keep forgetting some of the things I’ve learned.
So in this blog entry, I’m going to review two tips that I believe are critical even for the expert to remember.
1. Follow the system
As a new writer, you will hear the command “use a system when writing a book”. You’ll hear in a million different ways from a hundred different writers. Some of whom sell a real system for writing a book and some of whom — well, my mother taught me to say nothing about those people. A system must help you to start, write and finish your book. Or it isn’t of much use. Cool. That’s great advice for a new writer.
But what about us experts?
Your first book, you may be able to bull through without a system. Or you may be smart and learn a system before you try. Your second and third books, you’ll most likely use the system. And probably improve it. Or more correctly make it your own. But somewhere around the fourth or fifth books an interesting phenomena takes place. Trainers know it as the “Expert Phenomena” or “Sliding into the abyss”. You see you’ll start believing you are better than your system and you’ll stop using it. Or at least cut back. The result is that the system won’t give you the result you are expecting. In short, your book will take longer to write and will be much harder to write. All because you got lazy.
It’s a normal problem. Expect it. But don’t fall prey to it. Learn to recognize the signs and then force yourself to follow the system.
2. Selling your book begins before you write
When writing a book, there is a tendency to fall in love with the idea behind the book. It’s the writing and the idea that you are in love with. It’s the writing of a book and the concept that drive you.
Unfortunately, that drive doesn’t affect the reader.
A book which languishes on the shelves — electronic or physical — is a sad and lonely thing. And a waste of the writer’s time. It doesn’t matter how much you love your book or the idea behind your book. What matters is the reader’s desire to read that book. Creating that desire begins even before you design the book. And it continues long after you finish the final edit. (And the formatting if you are self-publishing).
In short, you need to develop a marketing plan — including verification of a market — before you begin to write. And you need to be prepared to market that book after you’ve written it. That can mean internet traffic generation or it can mean book releases and signings. However, you do it, it will take time and energy. And you need to include that effort in the allowance for writing a book.
Writing A How To Book: Selecting a Writing System: Understanding What’s Available
43 years ago
by Glen
in Write a "how to" book
How to Select A How to Book Writing System: Understanding What’s Available
Video 3 of 4
Now that we know our needs, what is available. Again we’re going to create a framework but this time we’re going to try to place the available systems on that framework.
First off systems fit somewhere on the line from unstructured to structured. By this I mean that the system imposes a structure on you. Or to put it another way, creates an acceptable structure as part of it’s functioning. Unstructured means that the system won’t create a structure at all. It’s focus is on other things. It presumes that you, as the writer, will impose a focus.
The second dimension of importance is cognitive or non-cognitive. Think of cognitive as ergonomics for the brain. A cognitive system uses the brain’s own way of functioning to accomplish it’s purposes. A non-cognitive tool simply does what it needs to do without regard to how the brain works.
There are four basic tools or systems in use:
- Speed Writing
- Outlining aka the school system
- Mindmapping
- Structured cognitive
Speed Writing is a system developed by journalists to help them generate small articles very quickly. Pick 3/5/7 words that describe the subject. Then write for 5/10/15 minutes as quickly as you can, without stopping, without editing and without interruptions. Then stop. This system is non-structured and non-cognitive.
Outlining is the system you learned in school. Write down in order what you will write about. It is non-cognitive however it is structured although arguably not completely.
These are the two most common systems on the market.
Mindmapping (and to a lesser extend brainstorming) is the next most common system in use. It is a cognitive tool which involves drawing a circle for the concept and then lines for the ideas which grow from the concept. In more generic terms it is called a (single node) semantic network diagram. It is excellent for getting ideas out of one’s head and documenting the relationships between ideas. However, like the brain, it really doesn’t function well as a sequential organizer of facts.
Both of the non-structural systems have a problem in that neither is capable of organizing the facts appropriately for a complex piece of writing like a book. Therefore many of the systems built on the speed writing or mindmapping patch on outlining/school techniques to the end of the system. However, the core of the system remains the initial technique.
All of the three systems mentioned so far have a serious problem in that they are partial systems only and require extensive input by the writer. Effectively, they depend on the writer’s skill to perform their functions. As a result they are limited when functioning for increasing complexity. However, they are flexible and are capable of providing assistance for whatever type of writing (time or fact) being done.
Cognitive structured systems, on the other hand, are complete systems which help guide the writer to a successful conclusion. Unfortunately, because they are comprehensive they are not flexible. When selecting a system it is imperative for the writer to choose one based on the type of writing (time or fact) which they will be doing. They function well over the whole complexity dimension however, they shine in as the writing becomes more complex.
Cognitive structured systems are based on one of two tools. Time based systems use a time line and tend to be more complex with other tools being incorporated. Fact based systems tend to use a structured mindmapping tool. The LearningCreators’ system is an example of this type.
Writing A How To Book: Selecting a Writing System: Determining Your Needs
23 years ago
by Glen
in Write a "how to" book
How to Select A How to Book Writing System: Determining Your Needs
Video 2 of 4
So you realize you need some form of system in order to write how to books efficiently and effectively. Great. You could just try writing until you discover your preferred system. But you’ll have to fail at writing eBooks several times first. Or you could go out and buy a system.
But what type of system do you need?
The first step in choosing a system is to answer that question. In this video we help you understand your needs by creating a framework.
Writing fits somewhere along one of three dimensions:
- Organizational Base (aka Time or Fact Base)
- Organizational Flexibility (aka Structured or Unstructured)
- Complexity ( aka Simple/Complex)
Writing is organized either on a Time basis or on a Fact basis for the reader.
Not all writing, however, is equally bound by the base organization. Time based writing, for example, can run from time-line focused (structured to the base) to a sequential focus (still time but the base is no longer the central focus of the structure).
As the writing moves from structured (by the base) to unstructured (by the base), the writer has both more flexibility and the need to examine and select a structure for presentation. In other words, if your writing is structured time based (e.g. fiction) then you must select a time based structure. Your system will need to reflect that. On the other hand if your writing is unstructured fact based (e.g. a collection of recipes) you will need to determine what structure you will present to the reader. Usually, this will be a fact based structure. The key is that it is imposed and therefore your system will not require an imposed structure.
The final dimension is that of complexity. As your writing becomes simpler – e.g. blogs or short articles – the need for structure reduces. As the writing becomes more complex (i.e. books) the need for structure increases.
Writing A How To Book: Selecting a Writing System: Why You Need A Writing System
43 years ago
by Glen
in Write a "how to" book
Writing How To Book: Selecting a Writing System Video #1 of 4
I hope you enjoy the first in a series of 4 videos to help you select a writing system.
So why do you need a writing system?
First of all, I’m going to presume that you want to write a book. After all, if you weren’t interested in writing a book, you certainly wouldn’t need a writing system.
But once we’re past that bit we’re left with “What is a writing system?” and “What is it going to give you?”.
A writing system is a set of processes, tools and techniques which help you control the complexity involved in writing a book, and help you to effectively and efficiently write a book.
A good writing system will help you to:
- Organize the book
- Organize (structure) the information in the book
- Keep control of where the writing is going
- FINISH the book
In short, with a good system, you’ll actually finish, and it’ll be a book that meets the readers need for COD!
Next: What are your needs?
Are You Ready To Start Your Business Yet?
63 years ago
Welcome back folks!
Yup, it’s that terrible time of the year … the worst possible … the return to work after New Years! SCARY !!!!! ;)
Okay, I exagerate. It is that time tho … Time to get your resolutions in place. Time to get your plans in place. Time to get off your duff and get moving! Time to get the year off with a BANG!
So that’s what I’m going to do …
One of the questions I keep being asked goes something like “I’m not writing a how to book. I’m writing a xyz book. Can your system work for me?”. So far, with one exception, the answer has been YES! :cool:
But it’s obvious I’m scaring people off with the emphasis on fact based writing (aka how to books and similar non-fiction). 
So, I’ve decided to write a short Youtube course on “How to Select A Writing System” …. Only it turned out to be longer and containing more information than I envisioned. (So what else is new). As of now, it’s four videos of about 10 minutes each! For Free?????? Am I NUTS ????? Well, yeah, but I’m also into giving lots of stuff for free (in the hopes you’ll buy something of course ;) maybe even this!!!!).
Anyway, that’s going to be my blog for the next two weeks; How do you choose a writing system? After all, there’s a lot of us competing out there and getting us all sorted into order is not a fun thing. So my blog is going to consist of the video and some comments to expand on the video.
First video blog is Wednesday … but check up on Youtube … you never know I may be faster there!
(4/6 does not go evenly … so what am I going to do with the other 2 days? This is one of them … 
The other I’ll devote to planning and the usual year end stuff! Or maybe I’ll have a special announcement … you never know! … meaning if I get my blasted todo list done!)
P.S.
This blog — and the forum — is meant to give YOU a place to ask questions and get answers. So … PLEASE let me know what you would like me to cover!
Writing How To Books – Final Thoughts
103 years ago
by Glen
in Write a "how to" book
So over the last two weeks I’ve talked about the four types of books and why the Content Mapping System works for them – or doesn’t.
While the system isn’t a panacea and it doesn’t work for all books, it does work in most cases for how to books and why to books. In short, most non-fiction.
This is true because most non-fiction books are fact based regardless of their organization. Even if they are a simple collection, they still need to be organized. If they are a how to, they still need to be organized. So it doesn’t matter if they are sequential, fact-based or collections, they are still a set of facts that need to be organized. And the best system to do that is the Content Mapping System you can find here in video form (for free) or here in book form (not free).
A minor exception to the above rule is sequential based books. With sequential or process based books you need to add pretty pictures. In other words, flow or process diagrams. But the basic Content Map system works quite well and does allow for adding this type of information. (Yes, believe it or not it is a function of the tool. We don’t talk about it very much but it is part of the proper use of the tool.)
The major exception to the above are time based books. These are histories, (auto-)biographies and fiction. Because they are time based they need a tool which is time based … in other words a time chart based system. Sorry but the Content Mapping system just isn’t the right system for those books.
A couple of final comments.
First, an historical analysis is not a time based book. It is primarily a fact based book. Having said that you may want to use a time chart to help document the occurence of the actions which you are analysing. This leads to the second comment.
The system allows you to use pictures and diagrams when they communicate the information better than words. Don’t be afraid to use them! After all a picture is worth a thousand words. This also applies within your book. Sometimes words are not the best tools to communicate with. Sometimes pictures are. Never be afraid of diagrams. And don’t forget to use boxes … those little quick fact summary boxes you see in some books or at the side of articles. They help to seperate the book and to emphasize key facts.
So enjoy the Content Mapping System and learn to write books in less than 24 hours. Just remember that the system doesn’t work for all books, just non-fiction. It works great for how to books!
Enjoy, learn & get earning.
Glen Ford
& the LearningCreators team
Writing How To Books – Time Based Books
93 years ago
by Glen
in Write a "how to" book
Have you wondered why we constantly repeat variations on the phrase
Writing How To Books
when we refer to our system?
There really is a reason.
When I originally looked at the different types of books, I categorized them into two types – fact & time. As you can tell from the first post in this series there are more. But fact & time are the two major breakdowns.
Most non-fiction books are fact based.
Fiction, on the other hand, is time based.
If you tell a story, which is what fiction purports to do, then you are describing something that takes place over and through time. This happened then, this happened now and this will happen.
Much of which is causally interrelated. (Hey, I like that phrase … one thing leads to another is SO overused don’t you think?)
Most non-fiction but not all. Histories and biographies (including auto-) are time based. They take place over time and while you may need to link the parts or explain the pieces or even make an argument, the defining characteristic is time.
Because fiction, histories and biographies are not a collection of facts but rather time based they require the use of a different tool.
Yes, the same issues exist. Information comes out of your brain in a disorganized fashion. It needs to be organized. The best way is with a structured brainstorming tool. So far cool. Exactly the same as fact based.
The difference is that the tool needed is a form of timeline (rather than Semantic Network Diagram). Why? Because you need to organize around the timeline and it’s interrelationships. Think of it as a Timeline Network Diagram with a few added bits. Why added bits? Because you still need to organize the facts you’ll state, and the arguments you’ll make.
That’s why we try to be so clear around our system. While the process itself is the same, the tool used is not. The tool we used is based around fact organization not time and facts.
So the question often asked is “Can you use the Content Map to design a fiction book and a biography?”. Surprisingly enough the answer is YES … Are you confused yet????
You see, the content map only works for part of the job (remember the added bits?). It isn’t the best tool for the job. A timeline based tool is.
That’s why we constantly say for Writing How To Books.
It’s not that the system doesn’t work for others … it’s just not the best system available. So why use it? Wouldn’t you rather use the best system for what you are doing? We would rather you did!
2 Reasons To Write How To Books Part 2 – Publishing Your Book
43 years ago
The second major reason to write how to books is because you want to sell them. There’s two major ways you can sell how to books.
The first is the traditional method. You can sell your book to a traditional publishing house (Random, McGraw Hill etc). I don’t have the space in a blog to discuss that technique in depth. However, the basic process is to:
- Build a list of agents who are currently looking for authors
- Create a package (letter, outline & 2 chapters) to sell the agent
- Mail out the package to the agents
- Follow up as appropriate
- Repeat 1-4 until successful (or you get feedback saying you’re wasting your time)
- Create a detailed package to sell the publisher
- Send the package to the agent
- Let the agent do their job
Once the agent is successful, then you need to think about promoting your book.
The second way to sell is to self-publish. Now there are several ways to do this (including imitating traditional publishing) but the best method is as part of a information products business. Effectively, your book becomes one in a set of products which teach the customer or client a particular skill.
You’ll find as you try this that a real book is a big credibility boost. Yeah, sure you can get little PLR eBooks for $7. But a real book (100-200 pages) or ebook (60 pages) will get you both recognition and a good return. The problem, of course, is that video is both easier and more effective. However, it doesn’t carry the same cache. So when you design your product funnel you’ll want to fit a book in there somewhere if only to boost your credibility.
Now here’s the good news. All that work you put into learning our system is transferable. It works for any media you choose to put your course into. Of course, there are differences — which is why we recommend starting with a new content map for every media. It’s also why we teach the whole system in media based chunks. But the basic technique and process is the same no matter the media.
So get out there … get learning and get earning!
Glen Ford
Announcing A FREE Course on Writing Ebooks!!!!
33 years ago
Yup … just go here for a free course on writing ebooks.
Yes I said FREE! … no charge, nada, not one red cent.
The bad news is 1) it runs over several weeks so you need to leave your email address, and 2) you get to listen to me (which isn’t that bad!) and even worse look at me (okay now that is pushing it… try not to eat beforehand! )
In this course, I will reveal the COMPLETE system I used to write a full 60 + page book in under 24 hours. That’s right less than 3 day’s work!
This is the first of our offerings where we show you a system that helps you build information products (i.e. learning content) quickly, easily and effectively!
So go there and get your free course on How to Write Ebooks & Information Products..
Go NOW! Sign up! Go. Now… Now!
Why Create Ebooks …. Part 3 for Internet Marketers and Information Product Sales
53 years ago
So you’re selling information products are you? Or are you an internet marketing genius who’s just realized that selling your own digital products is where the money is?
By now you’ve probably realized just how much work there is in creating information products (in other words how to books and DVDs).
First off, our system we have to create ebooks is part of an overall system to create information products — learning content in non-intertnet marketing (IM) circles. Things such as live seminars, webinars, recorded seminars, interviews, books and articles. Whether they are delivered as traditionally published or self-published, CDs, DVDs, or books. Or delivered as digital products in the form of mp3, Youtube videos and ebooks.
Once you learn writing ebooks with our system, you’ll be able to create any form of information product. Yes, there are differences — that’s why we have a comprehensive course!
So, why is writing an ebook so important?
By writing your own ebooks you gain in x ways:
- It establishes or increases your credibility.
- Books have higher value in your customers’ opinion than other media.
- Who knows more about your niche? You? Or some nameless person you’ll never meet?
- A book can be quickly and easily changed from digital to physical product.
- A book is flexible — give it to your client in the form they want — or both!
- A book doesn’t require you to practice, practice, practice. Great if you get bored easily!
- Customers are used to paying high prices for non-fiction books.
- You’ll own the material — no one else can compete!
And to cap the benefits off … it really doesn’t take any longer to write a book than it does to design, write and practice a seminar with the same information.
Even if you decide only to write one book, even if you hated English in school — you need to write at least one book.
