How to Do the Blueprint for a Book Challenge
In the summer of 2022, we offered a 10 week challenge to create a “blueprint” for a novel, memoir or nonfiction project.
That summer may be over, but you can still complete the challenge! Start at the beginning, do the weekly assignments and by the end, you’ll have a solid foundation for a first draft or revision of your project. But because maneuvering your way through our substack website can be less than easy. I’ve pulled together everything you need in this one easy post/email.
Here’s how:
First, download a Blueprint answer workbook to keep track of your 10 assignments. That will make it easier to revise, review and come back to your work. Click to grab yours for fiction or nonfiction. If you are writing narrative memoir (a story), use the fiction workbook and assignments. If you are writing self-help/memoir, use the nonfiction workbook and assignments.
Next, listen to each week’s podcast, in order. You’ll find them in your pod player as episodes 322-331 from July 1, 2022 through September 10, 2022. I’ve also linked bonus episodes from me (KJ) each week talking about my approach to each assignment. Those are only accessible to paid supporters. Not a paid supporter yet? Chip in HERE.
You’ll find details on each assignment in your workbook and in the episode show notes. Here they are in order for ease of access:
Find Your Why: Blueprint for a Book Step 1
323 What's Your Point? Blueprint for a Book Step 2
Bonus BPB 2: What's this about--and how knowing the answer makes everything else easier.
324 Who Will Read My Book? Know Your Market: Blueprint for a Book Step 3
Bonus BPB 3: Write What You Want--to Be Read.
325 Your Jacket Copy is Your Promise to the Reader: Blueprint for a Book Step 4
Bonus BPB 4: Jacket Copy Cheats and Hacks
326 There Must Be Change: Blueprint for a Book Step 5
Bonus BPB 5: The Change is the Theme
327 What's the Structure of Your Narrative? Blueprint for a Book Step 6
Bonus BP6: TOCs, Chapter Headings, POV---It's all Structure.
328 How to Drive that Narrative Forward: Blueprint for a Book Step 7
Bonus BP7: Finding Your Drivers
329 One Outline to Rule Them All (Even if You Hate Outlining): Blueprint for a Book Step 8
Bonus BP8: Easier Outlining for the Loquacious and the Reluctant
330 But Does this Book Work? Blueprint for a Book Step 9
Bonus BP9: How to Keep Going When All You See Are the Problems
331 How to Go From Planning a Book to Writing One: Blueprint for a Book Step 10
Bonus BP10: How to set your own goals, and meet them.
Hope that’s helpful! (And if you actually do it—which, who are we kidding, most of us don’t) I guarantee it will be. Get your butt in the chair, friend.