how to write computer books

5 steps to killer chapter outlines

Starting with a good chapter outline will make writing much easier. On the other hand, getting it right can take ages. Here are 5 key principles for buidling strong outlines.

1. Put background at the back. Technical overviews, ‘what is…?’ questions, and so on make for a boring beginning. Plan to cover them at the end, if at all. Most authors naturally put this at the front. Resist that urge, damn you!
2. Motivate at the front. At the beginning, give the reader reason to read on. Show the reader what’s in it for them. Show why it is necessary, useful, exciting, time saving, or whatever else makes it worthwhile. Tell them just how much they will acheive / learn in the chapter.
3. Build the middle section around practical action. The bulk of each chapter should show the reader how to do things. This could be making decisions, completing tasks, or applying principles. Most of your sections should begin with an ‘-ing’ word such as building, creating, designing, choosing, and so on.
4. Put major sections in a sensible order. There are three ways to order the middle part of a chapter. By increasing complexity, by logical grouping, or by process. Increasing complexity means starting with simpler topics, and getting more complicated gradually. Logical grouping means that related topics tend to come together. Process means that the chapter is built around completing a task in a realistic sequence. Use each principle to develop a sensible order for the main sections in your chapter.
   
5. Stop planning, start writing. No chapter plan is perfect. Creating a plan that roughly follows each of these principles won’t take long. Once you have an OK plan, it’s time to start writing. No plan is perfect — but you won’t how imperfect it is until you start to execute it. So have faith and get started. You can always move stuff around later.