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Last week we realized that there’s one very important thing that those of us already in the biz (mistakenly) assume writers know, and that is the difference between a “good on paper” book and a good paper (or digital) book.

At first glance, the “good on paper” book is perfect:

• It’s a great idea

• It’s well-structured, well-written, and well-edited

• It demonstrates the author’s expertise, research, and work that went into writing it.

• Perhaps there’s an index, a list for recommended reading, a notes section, and maybe even some specialized visuals.

And..

• It has attention-grabbing cover art and a snappy title…

So what’s the problem, you ask? The problem is:

That’s all it has.

Readers know that just having these qualities aren’t enough to make a truly good book. Sure, it might look good on paper, but in reality, it’s missing something.

No matter how mechanically and structurally sound, no matter how interesting the subject matter, a book will only sell if it’s something more than just “good-on-paper.”

So what is that “something,” the je ne sais quoi that will transform a clinical text into something that will nestle itself deep into the brain of the reader to continuously engage and excite them?

When it comes down to it, what every book needs to become good isn’t something mysterious or obscure. Rather, it’s something simple.

A book needs heart.

What we at Wise Ink mean when we talk about heart is a combination of two things:

1. Honesty

and

2. Intimacy

An honest book is one that is straightforward with a clear purpose. It doesn’t pull punches. It lays out issues in clear, straightforward language and avoids specialized jargon whenever possible so that less well-versed readers don’t get lost or confused. An honest book expects a lot from its reader. It does the following:

1. Asks questions

2. Challenges conceptions

3. Addresses your readers directly (this is super important)

Books with honesty at its core, foster feedback, stories, and discussion. Honest books acknowledge that writing is a continuous process, a two-way exchange of ideas and knowledge.

Intimacy goes hand-in-hand with honesty. While honesty has to do with your reader and how your book connects with their needs. Intimacy has to do with you.

Are you accessible to your reader?  Are you laying your (or your characters’) vulnerabilities, mistakes, and fears, before them? If you’re not, they won’t trust you (or your characters).

It’s not enough to be well-versed in your subject or story’s plot. Readers want to know who you are. They need to know why you’re special; why you wrote your book, and not just that you wrote it.

Infuse your book with your own experiences. Put yourself in your readers’ shoes, and allow them to do the same. That way, your book will become part of a meaningful dialogue, and will be consumed, remember, and loved.

As an indie author, it’s sometimes easy to get caught up in the mechanics of your book; you can spend forever trying to make it look good on paper.

But remember: the easiest thing you can do to improve your book and your book’s success is to give it some heart.

Tell us in the comments below how you are working on giving your book heart!

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