How to Write a Book From Outline to Finish Line: 10 Simple Ways to Outline Your Nonfiction Book

by Shelley Hitz

Are you looking for tips on writing a book? In this book, I share strategies on how to write a book from outline to finish line. My focus is on writing nonfiction books because I have personally written 35+ nonfiction books and have developed a system that works for me.

There are literally endless possibilities for the books you can write and publish. I look forward to helping you move forward so you can finish writing and publishing your nonfiction book.

And the benefits of publishing your Kindle book can last a lifetime. Here are just a few of the benefits possible to you as a Kindle author:

* Credibility
* Authority in your niche
* Exposure for your business
* Reach more people with your message (even internationally)
* Get leads for your business, 24/7, on autopilot
* Find new clients for your services
* Diversify your income
* And more!

Learn these 10 strategies to outline your book AND 3 ways to write your book so you can cross the finish line to publish your nonfiction book.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Business, Reference

45 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Shelley Hitz is an author of over 50 books. However, most importantly she is a wife, daughter, sister, friend and follower of Christ. She has been ministering alongside her husband, CJ, since 1998 and her main passion is to share God's truth and the freedom in Christ she has found with others. She does this through her books, websites and speaking engagements.

She is also the owner of ChristianBookAcademy.com where she helps pastors, ministry leaders, and Christian entrepreneurs get published and market their books.

Shelley's openness and vulnerability as she shares her own story of hope and healing through her books will inspire and encourage you.

==> Connect with Shelley online at her website, www.ShelleyHitz.com.

Reviews

[Elke Feuer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shelley's books are always easy to use and follow. This book and her online video helped me quickly outline a non-fiction book in my head in just a couple of hours. I'd been struggling with the book/outline for about 6 months.

Shelley's tips in the book really helped.

[Ed Ashford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't really any new information for me or presented in any new way. it would probably be a very useful book to an absolute beginner. Though since the book doesn't go into very much detail, it may still end up leaving the beginner a little muddled. But if you've read any number of writing books, you've probably seen this advice before. Mind maps. Software for mind maps. Dictate your book. How to turn a dictated recording into a book (hint: $$$). It's not that any of this is bad advice, it's just that none of it is new advice either.

[Inderpreet Uppal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple ideas to write better!

This is a concise book that allowed me to revisit the simple and basic concepts needed for writing better and writing good books. Good and useful tips that are easy to implement. I definitely recommend this book if you are starting your writing journey or are stuck with a book idea but are unable to write it. Tips to write regularity to get the job done!
Simple ideas to write better!

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short book is ok in its own right, but it did not meet my expectations. Given its title, "How to Write a Book, ...", I assumed that it would deal with the process of writing a book. For me, for example, the most difficult thing in writing a book is determining what to write about. This was barely addressed at all.

Shelley's book lists several tools that can be used to outline your book (from low-tech Post-It notes to high-tech tools like Trello). She then gives a few ideas on getting your book into print.

This book does a decent job at addressing the mechanics that occur near the front-end and the back-end of putting a book together, but if you really want some help in determining how to write a book, you'll need to go elsewhere.

[I was provided this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.]

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Write a Book From Outline to Finish Line: 10 Simple Ways to Outline Your Nonfiction Book by Shelley Hitz is perfectly summed up in its title. It lists ten ways to plan, outline, and write a non-fiction book. Many of the points have sub points with helpful tips and links to relevant resources. Many of the tips in this book are helpful for writing a fiction book, also, but Outline to Finish Line is focused mainly on those that are non-fiction. For example, a Ghost Writer, one of the ways to write a book, would be especially helpful for non-fiction and unhelpful for fiction. If you are planning to write a non-fiction book, Outline to Finish Line is a good place to go for tips.

[Titus Hjelm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh my. I guess the main lesson of reading this book is that this is what you end up with when your primary goal is to write fast and write to make a profit. There are some common sense nuggets there and more seasoned writers may appreciate some of the techniques, but beginners beware--unless you want to hire a ghost writer, one of the 'tools' suggested to help you finish your book (!).

[Kev Willoughby · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is great for any aspiring middle-school (or advanced elementary school) writer. With innovative ideas such as using sticky notes, dry-erase boards, or good ol' fashioned pen and paper to get your ideas in written form, this book has everything necessary to help you meet or exceed your wildest outline expectations. There's also some really neat information about using something called "apps" to record your own voice as you dictate your book, allowing you to come back later and "transcribe" it to print. After reading this book, you could follow in the footsteps of the author and take your own work from start to finish in less than a week.

[Charles Francis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have embarked upon writing a book and read this to see if I could get some tips and advise. It is a very quick read. While there are some useful nuggets, primarily around first steps, e.g., create an outline and tools to use for writing and capturing notes, it is not a deep dive into the helpful tips and advice most aspiring writers need, me included.

The book is enough to have you try out a few of her suggestions to see which ones might suite you. But if you want more, then this is not the book for you. I just picked up Dear Ally, How Do You Write A Book by New York Times Bestselling author Ally Carter. I will post a review when done.

[Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but helpful

There are two issues every writer has to over come. First, what to write. Second, how to get it done. The first is a typically easier than the second. This book helped remind me there is a correct mindset for the writing, but there are several approaches to getting the work done.

[Ed Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Tool Lists

The book itself is a little different than most of this genre. Hitz provides plenty of tools to use and actionable ideas that are tactical and do it now, versus theoretical. There’s a bit of a soft sell for her services, but that does not get in the way of a good set of actionable information.

[Vincent Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

What you usually get from creative writing classes you get it in this book. Since it's for non-fiction, I won't bash it any more than it's necessary, but it's a nice read for the indie authors who don't know how to go about it.

[Saravanakumar Murugan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended

Since I've written a Self Help book in n the same category, I read some of the titles featured in the bestseller list. This book is too good. It conveys what's expected. I recommend to all.

[Stu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short concise help

Shelley gets right to the point with various tools and ways to outline a non-fiction book! Thanks for the inspiration! I took several nuggets that will help me keep moving forward. Thx!

[Aloagbaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent work!

The tips Shelley shares here are so helpful. I'm already completing my second book with this. I like how she doesn't just share theory but explains practically how she applied these tips with results.

[Skadia Trazon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great options

This book really explains how to make the best out of some not so normal options for getting your book finished. Missing one star because I feel it didn't cover anything more than that. It talked about outline and processes to get your writing "on the page".

[Arthur H. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t waste you time

This little book offers no new ideas. It is a list of resources you could find yourself by doing an online search. Suggestions like use sticky notes is just beyond the pale. Give this one a miss.

[Anna McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Succinct advice

Succinct, dot-point advice on how to outline and write a non-fiction book. Helpful advice if you’ve done your research and want advice on how to go about organising it into a book without wasting time and energy.

[Mary Vogelsong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful Ideas for Planning Phase

This is a helpful and encouraging read. Short and sweet. I believe she has boiled down the process so it is streamlined.

[Ian Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, short ebook focussed on organising your writing.

[Chanelle Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short & Sweet

This book is a great short read. I appreciate that the book is straight to the point yet simplified with quick and practical approaches to get you going

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not very helpful

Just some advice, not a book. Is a good starting point for new authors that have spent some time residing under rocks.

[Maria Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope her techniques work!

Looking forward to starting my book!! Simple enjoyable read, with easy to follow step by step guide to writing your first book.

[Jillian Mc Kell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Halpful

I really am thinking of writing a book so this book was helpful. Hoping to use some of the ideas to start.

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Common sense

This book didn’t contain any new information than I already knew. And it was extremely short. Read the entire book in about 10-15 minutes.

[Cecly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

A lot of information that links to a website, which might be the reason the book was written in the first place.

[Jessica Gallant · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't get much out of this book at all. I would not reread or recommend it.

[Kanjas Holdings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and straight to the point

Its surprising how much I learnt in this short book. One method I had never considered was using dictation as a writing method. Loved the book.

[Wayne Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book about how to write a nonfiction book. The author is Shelley Hitz, a successful writer and book writing coach. I highly recommend this book for the following reasons:

1. It’s short and to the point. It’s only 46 pages, but don’t let that fool you. This book accomplishes its goal. It’s categorized by Kindle as a “Short Kindle Read.” More specifically, a 90-minute short read. Well, it probably won’t take you that long. I read it in about 45 minutes, and I’m a slow reader.

2. There’s no fluff. Shelley gets right to the point. I like a non-fiction book that tells me just what I need to know about the topic. Why fill a book with fluff? The author is a master at explaining things thoroughly with few words. Brevity is an art, and this book is a masterpiece in the world of short Kindle books.

3. This book is well organized and well written. First, the author covers 10 ways to outline a nonfiction book. Then she explains 3 ways to write a nonfiction book. It’s all laid out for you. The author’s writing style is conversational and easy to follow.

4. The ideas presented are immediately usable. I’ve written over 10 nonfiction ebooks and over the years I’ve developed my own approach to writing. But this book challenged me to take the process of outlining to a new level. I usually know my topic well enough that I haven’t seen the need to put an outline in writing. Well, thanks to this book, I now see how beneficial it is to write an outline before writing the book. Of the 10 methods of outlining, I decided to give “mind mapping” a try. I had never used a mind mapping software program before, so I followed this book’s advice and downloaded a free program called FreeMind. I spend 15 minutes familiarizing myself with the program, which is very intuitive. Then I gave it a try. I used it to create an outline for a new book that I’ve wanted to write. I can tell you that this FreeMind program worked like a charm. Once I got into the flow of how this program works, I found my creativity increasing and it became easier to express my ideas. When I started writing the book itself, the writing went much faster. So I’m hooked on not only doing an outline, but using FreeMind to stimulate my thinking and create the outline.

5. There are plenty of ideas for everyone. I like mind mapping, but that’s not the only way to outline a book. I like to sit at the computer and type; others may prefer to stand up and walk around when they are brainstorming. Everybody is different, and Shelly recognizes that. The book presents many diverse ways to outline a book, such as using a whiteboard or sticky notes or good old pen and paper. So I like that this book does not try to pigeon hole you into outlining only one way.

Whether you are an experienced author or working on your first book, this book can help you become a better writer. Without reservation I give it five stars and two thumbs up. I was provided this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Shelley Hitz tells how it took her a year to write her first book, and a week to write her most recent one. To be honest, that doesn’t encourage me to spend my hours reading it. But this short book on writing kindle non-fiction ebooks is filled with encouraging, practical, simple and helpful suggestions. So perhaps the author’s method really works. Perhaps having read it, I should give it a try. If you’ve been dreaming of writing non-fiction, perhaps you should do. And if your dreams tend more toward fiction, you’ll find suggestions that are just as helpful with that venture here.

Do you have time to write? Do you make time? What will you give up, because with giving up a few hours of something, you’ll never find those few hours a day for your book? The author asks these questions with encouraging comments and wise suggestions.

Do you know what you know? Write stuff down, she says, and find out; then consider what your readers want to know.

Do you have a plan? Where did you put your notes? And have you ever tried speaking what you want to say?

How to write a book is short, neat, practical, sensible, readable, and even fun. And it’s highly recommended.

Disclosure: I learned it was being offered free, so here I am writing a review instead of writing my next book.