Writing tip – the segue
It’s late at night. Way past your bedtime. Yet you’re still reading…
Finding yourself transfixed as the text draws you in…
You plan to read just one more chapter…
And as you turn the page, you’re hooked into reading the next…
Have you experienced times like this? I know I have.
When the book you’re reading captures your imagination and demands your attention. And before you know it, it’s 2am!
But I guess that you’ve also tried to read a book that you’ve struggled with. That fails to engage you. That goes back on your bookshelf. Unread and quickly forgotten.
So, what’s the difference that makes the difference when it comes to a great book? One that engages versus one that doesn’t…
A million-dollar question I know… So, I’m going to focus on one small area this week.
The Segue
A few months ago, I shared a blog about the analogy of painting a wall and how this links to writing. As one thing I’m hot on – when giving feedback on client books – is the flow. As nothing frustrates me more than reading a book that jumps around from one idea to another, without a clear focus.
For many business authors, when they have a lot of information in their head, some find it hard to see the wood for the trees. Especially when they’re sharing something they find easy, that they need to break down for their readers.
That’s why I encourage all clients to focus on the client journey and map out the structure for their book before they start writing it. And whatever the journey you take your reader on, the way you transition between bits of information is important.
Ultimately you want to write a book that your readers love to read, that they devour quickly, that they tell their friends about, and brings you people who would love to work with you.
On our Make It Happen day last Wednesday, I talked a couple of times about the segue and the client journey, and I thought you’d find this useful learning.
Segue, pronounced ‘segway’ is…
“A smooth transitional phrase that moves the reader from one point or paragraph or chapter to the next”.
No not a two-wheeled personal transporter 😊
One client is writing a memoir-style book. On the Make It Happen day, his focus was mainly on the structure of his book. Having written most of the content, he used the day to go back to the flow. What needed to go where. By the end of the day, all the content mapped out, and he knew where he needed to fill in the gaps. And he was working on creating engaging new chapter headings.
Another client is writing a how-to style book. Getting ready to submit his manuscript to the publisher, he wanted to know what I thought of his book so far. And how he could make it better.
Here’s some of the advice I shared with both clients.
1. The purpose
When mapping out your book, be aware of the purpose of each chapter and what you want your reader to get from it.
This helps avoid repetition when you know what pieces of information need to go in each chapter and what information sits elsewhere. This also helps you to work out what stories are relevant and which ones are not.
2. One idea
Only focus on one idea per paragraph (and one bigger idea per chapter). Otherwise the point you’re trying to make can get lost if you try and fit too much information in.
Then consider how you segue between bits of information so that it naturally flows and supports the learning for your reader.
3. The hook
Leave people wanting to read more. With an information style book, you may wrap up each chapter with a summary or some top tips before you transition to the next chapter.
With a memoir style book, leave people wanting more, so that they can’t wait to read the next chapter.
I hope you found these tips useful.
And don’t forget, if you’d like my help to write your business building book, then please get in touch.
The next Make It Happen day is on Friday 15 January and you can find out more about how I can help you by booking a call.