When it comes to how to write a book, organization of material may be the top challenge that many writers face, especially when they’re dealing with a lot of material. My suggestion is positively old school, one that my father taught me before I even hit college. He called it the cut-and-paste method. I call it making piles.
The concept is simple. Print out all your material one-sided. As you skim through the material that you’re already familiar with, stop every time the topic changes. Then take a pair of scissor or a ruler, and either cut or rip the page right where the topic switches. Staple together the pages that all relate to each other. You may want to tape any tiny bits to a fresh sheet of paper or to the prior page so as not to lose them. Make a note at the top of the first page about who the speaker was if you’re dealing with an interview or the source of the material. Then start a pile that will all be related to that particular subject matter.
Eventually, you’ll end up with a bunch of piles, including one that’s probably called “I Have No Idea Where This Goes.” Organize your piles so that there’s a logical progression from the first to the last. Go through the first pile and shuffle all the material in that pile until it’s in a logical order. Then start writing. Repeat that process when you get to the next pile.
I admit that some of my writing coach clients resist this technique. Unfortunately, most of them are still struggling with the organization of what they’re trying to write. Others catch on quickly, witness Rick Gilbert, founder of PowerSpeaking, Inc., who is currently organizing his interview material for Part IV of his manuscript on how to present successfully to corporate executives.
Nice job, Rick!
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