When writing a book, one of the most important questions to consider is: what is important for the reader to know first? This question should be asked from the beginning of the process.
The beginning of a book is where you establish an agreement with your reader. This is where you set the tone, the central theme and the type of development you are proposing. The reader needs to quickly understand the context and have a clear idea of why it is worth continuing to read the book. This does not mean revealing every detail right away, but rather offering enough to pique interest, establish a clear foundation and create a connection.
It is interesting to think of this step as opening a door: whoever enters needs to feel that they have arrived at the desired place. In a novel, for example, it can be effective to immediately introduce a striking character, a conflict or an environment that arouses curiosity. In a non-fiction book, the ideal would be to show the reader that their problem, doubt or interest is understood.
Therefore, before delving deeper into the content, it is essential to answer, in a simple way, three essential questions:
1) What is the intention of this book?
2) Why is the topic relevant?
3) What can the reader take away from this reading?
Answering these questions up front helps build trust and set realistic expectations. When readers feel like they know what they’re getting into and that they’re reading a well-organized book, they’re much more likely to read it to the end.
It is important to emphasize, however: the beginning does not need to be extraordinary, but it must be clear, honest and engaging. And that is precisely what the reader needs to know first.
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