Written by: Vickie Sullivan | November 05, 2020
Book Writing: Pull Back the Curtain on Issues
One sure sign of getting old: when you no longer relate to the latest musical trends. So, K-Pop Confidential, a novel about the rise of K-pop bands, wouldn’t usually be on my list. But this first-time novelist can teach us a thing or two about thought leadership and book positioning.
A recent interview with the author, Stephan Lee, published by Fast Company makes a great point: You can pull back the curtain on an industry without writing a hard-hitting expose. Two tactics we can copy:
• The power of fiction. A lot of thought leaders believe that their buyers demand a non-fiction book. The wild popularity of the business classic Who Moved My Cheese, proved that you can get your message across in a variety of ways. So, think outside the non-fiction box and ask yourself, “Can I build a character who can experience what I want to expose?”
• The power of universal themes. What I love about K-Pop Confidential is that the theme about finding your voice is so hopeful. Broad messages that inspire are a nice balance to the ugly behind-the-scenes infiltration. So, ask yourself, “When pulling back the curtain, what’s on the other side that can inspire or give hope? This work of fiction wraps the dark side with a coming-of-age story. And that’s a killer combination.
Listen: The Fine Art of Finding Your Theme
A lot of us write to pull back the curtain, to tell the truth about what’s really going on. Next time you go that route, think about expanding the format on how you do that. A character’s experiences can be far more vivid than our typical examples and short stories.
Now Read This:
- How to Write Books That Generate Fabulous Opportunities
- Outsmart your competition. Attract more opportunities