If you can do this one thing, you'll set your book apart

It's simple, but (as they say), not always easy.

You have to remember your readers are 100% self-interested. Yes, even your mom. (Truly.)

What this means is your book isn't about you...even if it is all about you. 

Weird, right?

Okay, let's break it down. I witnessed this phenomenon over the weekend as my 11-year-old devoured The Hunger Games. She has not, to this point, been a huge reader. She'd rather sketch, crochet, or visit one of her friends. But Suzanne Collins is an absolute master of meeting the self-interested need of most people to be entertained. 

Enthralled, really. Her plot, characters, and world building are more compelling (even for a tween) than texting! I mean, wow. 

The need to be entertained, fortunately, is just one need a reader might have. This is good news because we are not all Suzanne Collins. Honestly, it's not the need that most non-fiction authors are meeting, even though they can and should consider it.

The need you're meeting with your book might be one of these:

1. I'm about to graduate from college and I don't know what to do next. Help!

2. I'm worried about my finances and know I need to think about money in a new way. Help!

3. I'm about to buy a business and I'm scared. Help!

4. I'd like to be a solopreneur but no one I know is doing this successfully. Help!

You get the idea. 

People pick up books to learn, to grow, to solve problems. They will only read your story if they believe it will help them right now.

Think like a reader. 

Think like a reader who could be doing a lot of things other than reading! Why do they need your story? Why do they need it NOW?

The answers to these questions will make your manuscript better.

Love, Laura