I asked the editor with whom I'm working on my new book (who doesn't look at all like the cartoon on the left, not least because she's a woman...) whether there is a standard format for their personal development line. She said no, but passed along some general guidelines:
* Always write for the reader rather than the topic
* Always frame from what you are saying with the outcome first - so use subheadings to achieve this throughout
* Features such as summaries, opener, tips, lists, self assessments etc.should be used throughout
* Write simply and directly to the reader - as if you were explaining it them
* Keep your content as tightly focussed around the reader's needs as possible and write in terms of taking them from X to Y, rather than simply giving them information.
Thanks, Sam, I think these are excellent points for any kind of self-help or personal development articles or books.
