Researching and Outlining: The Two Keys to Writing Success

Mike Johnson — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 21:53:50 GMT

Current Revision posted to Researching Your Idea by Mike Johnson on 2/27/2024 9:53:50 PM

After writing 10 books, Mike Johnson can say that he has not once experienced writer's block. He sees two keys to avoiding that dreaded wall. One means avoiding any temptation to begin writing before doing research and then outlining the book.

In this webinar, Mike discusses his six categories of research and how he codes the information gathered. Then he describes what he calls the ping-pong method of outlining. He spreads out his outline —one with lots of white space between key points— on his full-size ping-pong table. Across the top of the outline he spreads his coded research findings. Says Mike, "Whether I've written for an hour or several hours, whenever I stop for the day, I know how I am going to start the following day." Investing time and effort in this approach winds up saving oodles of time and frustration.

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Johnson_5F00_Research_5F00_Outlining_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ResearchingandOutliningTwoKeystoWritingSuccess.mp4

About the Presenter:
Mike Johnson’s alma maters include Ohio University, Marshall Law at Cleveland State University, and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He also served two years in the Army, including 13 months in Korea. During his 35-year business career Mike worked at three Fortune 500 companies – General Electric, TRW and Timken. During those years, he also chaired councils for two national trade organizations – the National Association of Manufacturers and the American Iron & Steel Institute. He finished his business career as corporate vice president of marketing and communications for Timken. During the 1970s, he spent six years at Penton Media where he was a senior editor for Industry Week magazine.

He has researched and written six historical novels – "Warrior Priest", "Fate of the Warriors", "God’s Perfect Scar", "Shadows of War", "Long Journey to Destiny", "A Season Forgotten" – set during World War II, the lowering of the Iron Curtain, the Korean War and the 1960s. He also has written two non–fiction books – "Mascot, Minister, Man of Steel – The Final Reunion" and "Saga of a Singular Woman".

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Researching and Outlining: The Two Keys to Writing Success

Author Learning Center — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 21:44:31 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Researching Your Idea by Author Learning Center on 2/27/2024 9:44:31 PM

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar