You might be telling your own story, of how over a number of years, through a series of turning points, you continually deepened your understanding of the subject of the book, finally leading you to the insights that form the basis of your method or ideas. Or you could be describing how the reader’s own psychological or physical problems evolved.

First, apply this checklist to your sample chapter. Later, use it to self-edit all your chapters.

turn the manuscript over to several friends. Have them vet what you have written using the Manuscript Troubleshooting Checklist in the following chapter.

It’s not necessary to write the chapters in order. When you are ready to start on the remaining chapters in your book, most professionals recommend beginning with those you believe will be the easiest to write.

Pro Pro • Enables you to disguise actual individuals. • Reassures readers your system worked on real people. • Allows you to select just the elements that make the point Con Con • Lacks a certain immediacy. • Doesn’t always illustrate every point you make.

There’s one more way friends can help. They can also point out the parts of your manuscript they think work especially well.

Capture what is distinctive about your book in a short, pithy phrase, and you will be well on your way to a bestselling title.

Also, use two-part titles to deepen the reader’s understanding of your chapter’s subject material. Examples include “Women in the Forbidden Zone: Stages in the Betrayal of Hope,”

Have you defined every term?