Remember that it will take around two years for your book to reach the
bookstores. Therefore, the currently hot topics on the bestselling lists may be old
news before your book is in the stores. This doesn’t mean of course that you can’t
write on perennial favourites like money, sex and exercise. These topics never go out
of popularity, and a new twist on one of these is always a sure bet.
The idea of writing about what you enjoy is that you will be bringing passion
and enthusiasm to your topic. Enthusiasm is a must.
Idea Generator Five: From challenge to opportunity
You face challenges every day. Most are minor, some are major challenges. If you've
ever faced a large challenge, or if you're facing one right now, then consider that the
things you learn could help other people. Whatever your challenge is, whether it’s
moving to a new house or confronting a life-threatening illness, other people face the
same challenges, and in those challenges, lie the seeds of books.
Make a list of 20 challenges you've faced in your life. Anything catastrophic
qualifies: losing your job, facing bankruptcy, the betrayal of a spouse. If you've had a
quiet life, then make a list of challenges that the people you know have faced.
Additional challenges you can consider include any habit you've broken, from
congenital lateness to overeating.
When you've finished brainstorming, you'll have dozens of book ideas. Winnow out
the non-starters. Don't delete them, move them to another computer file. Call it "odds
and ends" or "snippets".
Checklist: Is this the right idea for you TODAY?
You've worked through the idea generators, and you have one or more ideas which
you feel would work as a book. The next step is to scrutinize your primary idea
carefully.
Consider your idea and look at this list of questions. See if you can answer
"Yes" to all of them:
Am I enthusiastic enough about this subject and my ideas about it to
sell this proposal to an agent and an editor – and to readers?
Will I retain my enthusiasm through the months it will take me to
complete the book?