Maybe you’ve heard it said that most readers never get beyond the first twelve pages of a book, particularly if it’s non-fiction.
This supposed tendency is what drives the billion-dollar write-a-book-in-a-weekend industry.
Become a published author. Have a book to your name to impress people. It won’t get read anyway, so why worry if you haven’t dotted all your I’s? It’s not like you need to be another Hemmingway to be a Bestseller, so relax, champ, and get your work out there.
BWT, if you’re after the “author” title and/or some list-building bait, feel free to bounce. Because what I’m about to say is meant for someone with very different goals. (We can still be friends. Right?!)
Now, let’s say you want to write a book that will be read from cover to cover, inspire readers, and build true authority and reach, not to mention grow your business. So happens, I’ve got a way to engage readers, so they don’t abandon ship and dismiss your gifts.
First things first: There are legitimate reasons to quit a book before page twelve. You’ve done it, and I’ve done it too. Meaning, this twelve-pages thing isn’t exactly a myth.
The most common reason a reader will stop reading is a lack of engagement or connection with the content. This often happens when the book’s core message or purpose isn’t clear, and the reader doesn’t understand what the book is about or why it matters to them. If the reader doesn’t feel a strong, immediate connection or see how the book will provide value—whether through insights, entertainment, or practical takeaways—they’re likely to lose interest and stop reading early on.
Then there’s unclear or unfocused writing that confuses the f*ck out of them.
Slow pacing or a lack of momentum, also known as boring them to tears.
And too much irrelevant information at the beginning, making it hard for the reader to see the main point or purpose of the book. I mean, why should I spend eight hours of my life for a questionable outcome? I could go to a neighborhood barbecue for that.
Engaging readers from the start with a compelling, clear message and a reason to keep reading is crucial to retaining their interest. I mean, doesn’t that make sense?
You can’t get at that compelling, clear message without some thought.
Look, I’ve always been a bit of what novelists call a pantser, as opposed to a plotter.
A pantser is someone who writes “by the seat of their pants,” meaning they don’t plan out their story or book in advance. They prefer to dive into the writing process without a detailed outline, allowing the story or ideas to evolve organically as they go. Pantsers rely on creativity and spontaneity, discovering the key elements in real time while writing. This approach allows for flexibility, which I’m ALL about, and surprise, but can often lead to structural or pacing issues that require a shit-ton more revision later. Pantsers, by the way, also have the tendency to quit once they recognize they have a hot mess on their hands.
A plotter, on the other hand, meticulously plans their book before they start writing. They typically create a detailed outline, chapter breakdowns, and plans to guide their work. Plotters prefer having a roadmap for the entire writing process, ensuring that the story or message unfolds in a clear, logical manner. This structured approach can help prevent holes or inconsistencies but may feel restrictive to writers who thrive on creative freedom.
Freeeeeedommmmm!
I wish I knew how to insert a gif of Mel Gibson in Braveheart here.
I am now, after much unnecessary suffering, a plotter. And readers, boy, do they appreciate a book written by a plotter. Sure, they’ll do what they normally do, skim judiciously, but they’ll come back and read the whole thing, word for word, because they spot the value, not to mention the relevancy, right from the freaking Table of Contents.
Before you can begin plotting out your non-fiction book, complete with that clear compelling core message that signals to the reader that you’ve got something valuable to say, it really helps to answer some strategic questions. If you’d like a copy of said questions, you should be able to access them here.
And here’s the best thing about these questions. They don’t just make the reading experience that much more enjoyable, they make the job of writing a valuable book 1000X easier.
Not to go all Nancy Reagan here, but just say no to pantsing it.
