Case Study: How You Could Turn a Story Into a Chapter Map
Case Study: How You Could Turn a Story Into a Chapter Map
📘 Smart Publishing Impact Series – Episode 43
Welcome back to our case study series on planning your book before you write it. If you haven’t checked out Episode 42 yet, go back and listen to that one first—it lays the groundwork for everything we’re diving into today.
In Part 1, we walked through how to identify your book’s purpose and how backwards design helps you shape the entire project.
Now in Part 2, we’re taking that framework and showing you — through a case study — how those decisions translate into an actual chapter map.
⚠️ Before We Begin
This is just one example of how you could structure an instructional memoir.
It’s not the only way. It’s not the “right” way.
It’s simply a case study to help you visualize the process so you can adapt it to your own story.
Every instructional memoir is different. Every author’s voice and journey is different. And the structure should always be customized to match your purpose, audience, and message.
Okay — let’s jump in.
🌟 Why We’re Using a Case Study
One of the biggest challenges for authors is imagining what their book could look like before they start writing. A case study gives you a concrete example, not a rulebook.
Structure isn’t meant to restrict you — it’s meant to support you.
This example helps you understand how to take a lived experience and turn it into a sequenced, digestible, reader-friendly journey.
📘 Our Sample Concept (Case Study)
For this demonstration, we’re using a question I get all the time:
👉 “What if you wrote a book about rising to the top as a woman in leadership?”
We’re not writing this book — we’re simply using it to show you how planning works.
Our theoretical author goal?
🎤 Attract speaking engagements.
Because the purpose guides the structure, using this goal helps illustrate how intentional planning supports outcomes.
🧭 Step 1: Confirm the Structure Type (Case Study Example)
For this example, we’re choosing:
✨ Instructional memoir
… BUT with a strong storytelling arc to mirror a keynote-style flow.
Again:
This is not the structure for instructional memoirs — it’s a structure.
Instructional memoirs can be:
fully chronological
reverse chronological
principle-based with story examples
hybrid blends
episodic
thematic
or a mix of anything that serves the message
Our case study is simply one version.
🔨 Step 2: Build the Chapter Map (Case Study)
Here’s how we could map the chapters for this specific concept and purpose. This is not a universal template — it’s a walkthrough to help you see how planning decisions translate into structure.
Introduction (Case Study)
Who it’s for, what they’ll learn, why this story matters, and how the book is organized.
Chapter 1 — A Defining Moment
Start at a powerful point — not necessarily the beginning.
Case study example: stepping into leadership in a male-dominated field.
Chapter 2 — Early Lessons
Context, development, early shaping experiences.
Chapter 3 — First Conflicts
Initial challenges, missteps, and growth moments.
Chapter 4 — Momentum Begins
Small wins, promotions, increased confidence.
Chapter 5 — Major Challenge or Loss
A turning point that reshapes the journey.
Chapter 6 — The Breakthrough
Clarity, a shift in mindset, or a major opportunity.
Chapter 7 — Looking Backward With New Eyes
Reflection and meaning-making.
Conclusion
Tie the journey together and speak directly to the reader’s next steps.
CTAs (tailored to the author’s goals)
Because in this case study, the goal is speaking invitations.
🧠 Why This Works (Case Study Takeaways)
The purpose of showing this example is to illustrate:
how your goal shapes your structure
how narrative and principles can blend
how tension and pacing create engagement
how reflection transforms a story into reader impact
how planning eliminates writer’s block
This is not a formula. It’s a framework demonstration.
Use what fits your story. Leave the rest.
🏁 Final Thoughts
A chapter map gives you clarity.
A case study gives you vision.
When you see how structure can support purpose, writing becomes easier — and the final book becomes stronger.
Next week in Part 3, we’ll dive into taking this case study and turning it into a full chapter map with subpoints, stories, principles, and takeaways.
Until then —
Keep writing your story, because the world needs your voice.
—Renee
