5 Questions You Need to Answer Before Writing Anything

There are five questions every piece of content you write need to answer. And they’re the same for fiction and nonfiction–surprisingly. Whether you’re a blogger, content marketer, or writer, they ensure you create content that engages your audience and achieves your goals.

From identifying your target audience and understanding their needs to crafting a clear message and providing a call-to-action, the five essential questions are the foundational pieces of any compelling content. So, let’s dive in!

I created a YouTube playlist on our Tandem Services channel (YouTube.com/@TandemServices) that covers the Beyond the Page episodes where Stephanie Feger and I discuss these questions. You can find it here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG81gUs3_oZFllFgnNwCbdk0SPQ4n-iML

Whose story is it?

In fiction, this is your main character. That might seem obvious, but not all writers craft their story like it is. The main character is the person whose journey we are reading about in this story. They are the one your reader needs to emotionally engage with if you want them to continue to read your work.

But in nonfiction, it’s not quite as obvious. Can you guess who it is? It’s your reader. You’re taking your reader on a journey of transformation, so the story is about them. This is why it is so important to know who your target audience is and what they need. The more time you spend on this question, the more targeted your content will be and the more engaged your reader will be because it will feel like you are talking to them.

What’s happening?

For fiction, this is the journey your characters are going to be on, focused primarily on the main character. What do they want? What obstacles are going to get in their way? What are they trying to achieve?

For nonfiction, this is the transformation journey you’re taking your reader on. What are you promising them? Why should they read your book? What will they get out of it?

What’s at stake?

For both fiction and nonfiction, what will happen if your main character (or your reader) doesn’t reach their goal?

What if they don’t experience the transformation you are offering?
How will their lives be ruined (!) or what bad thing will happen?
What will they not achieve?
What will they miss out on?

If there are no stakes, then it doesn’t really matter if your main character reaches their goal. There is no urgency. And if that is the case, why are you even writing the book? Make it matter.

What’s the lie?

I think this is one of the key points that is often overlooked. Think of your main character (or reader). What is the thing that has been holding them back? Why haven’t they reached their goal already? It’s because there is something they believe that isn’t true.

They believe they can’t ___.
They believe they aren’t good enough to ____.
They’re not smart enough to _____.

This is the internal obstacle they have to overcome to get to their goal. It’s creating a problem in their life. For them to acheive their goal, they have to realize that the lie is a lie and embrace the truth. Until then, they will not reach their goal. The lie will hold them back.

What’s the theme?

Why did you write this book? What is the big takeaway you want your readers to have after reading your book? In nonfiction, this is part of the transformation you promise your readers. But it’s also your specific passion for writing this book.

In fiction, it’s often the lesson your characters learn or something they discover, like friends are the family you choose or you are stronger than you think. I find authors don’t spend enough time here, and they need to, because this is the emotional resonance your readers will be left with after reading your work.

Foundation for creating strong content

Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser or anywhere in between, these five questions will give you foundational points to create strong content. It works great at the beginning of your writing to organize your thoughts and give you direction. It also works as a guide during the editing phase. Asking yourself if you’ve answered these questions fully will make your work stronger and make your readers beg for more.

Here’s to your writing success!