Controlling your environment for maximum

comfort and productivity

After you’ve established where you want to write the most, take control of

your environment and make it fit your personal taste and needs by making

the space most conducive to your personal work habits.

As you create your work environment, figure out exactly what work-related

tasks you’re going to do and make sure that you have the tools, resources,

and equipment you need at your disposal. For example, if you’re conducting

phone interviews and doing research, having a telephone and recording

equipment, along with access to the Internet and your reference books and

paper-based files is critical. If you’re setting up your computer system and

related peripherals, such as a printer, you need ample electrical outlets and

desk space for this equipment and someplace to store your supplies. (See

“Throw Away the Hammer: Assembling the Writer’s Toolbox” later in this

chapter for more about writing tools.)

The perfect work environment should allow you to feel comfortable, relaxed,

and focused on the task at hand. The furniture, décor, lighting, temperature,

and ambiance should all be to your liking. Because you’re going to be spend-

ing many hours at a time working in this environment, pay attention to

ergonomics, especially in terms of your desk, chair, and computer keyboard.

The environment should also be clean, clutter free, and well organized to

help boost your creativity and productivity.Targeting certain readers

No matter what type of book you’re planning to write the first thing you need

to do, before you start writing your manuscript, is determine exactly who

your book targets. Who is most apt to purchase and read your book and

why? What information does the reader want or expect to obtain by reading

your book?

The target audience for your book may be somewhat broad. Or, your book

may be targeted to a niche audience, comprising people with a very specific

interest. Whatever the case, as the author, not only do you have to understand

exactly who you’re writing your book for, but also you must understand what

the reader hopes to get out of your book. You need to ensure that you pro-

vide that information to your readers in the most enjoyable way possible.

After you pinpoint your target audience, get to know your potential reader.

Ask yourself the following questions:

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 Is my book’s average reader a male or female?

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 What age range do my readers fall into?

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 How educated is my average reader?

Also consider why the reader may be interested in your book.

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 What new information do I offer?

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 How do I convey this new information?

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 How much does the reader already know about the topic I’m writing

about?

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 Is my topic too simplistic or complex for the intended reader?

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 If I’m writing fiction, what elements of the storyline do readers best

relate to?

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 Am I developing my characters so they appeal to my target audience?

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 Does the audience understand, relate to, and appreciate the storyline,

characters, and subplot(s) based on their knowledge, education, and

background?

Doing research to understand exactly who your audience is helps you create

a book that’s of interest to readers. The book provides value to the readers,

educates them, and/or entertains them in an appropriate manner based on

age, education, interests, and intelligence.