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| but I’m a rightie? |
Your readers are:
1…not mind readers
2…not fools
3…not stupid
Sounding a tad harsh, am I?
As your editor I have to be. Why? Because your readers and reviewers will be and better a friend now than someone who can rip your book, reputation, sales apart later.
The biggest mistakes I see authors make fall into the two categories listed above. Yes, I can count…fools and stupid fall into the same basic idea.
During edits if you have to explain why _____ or ______ and ______ and don’t forget _____ to me, your editor. Most likely it will need explaining to your readers. Problem…you won’t be there with them to explain it. Therefore…readers are not mind readers. I’m pretty sure I’ve touched on this part before, that or I’ve used the phrase too many times.
My favourite overused word seems to be – balance – cause here I go using it again. There’s a balance between giving your audience information and allowing them to figure it out for themselves. And that figuring can be different than what you’re planning depending on what you’re talking about.
Figuring out who did it…you better make sure all the information has been weaved throughout.
Figuring out who you’re referring to as the most talented/beautiful actress…leave that to your readers (psst, not everyone likes _______)
Which all brings us to fools and stupid. Readers know when we are BSing them and know when we’re doing it BIG time. Adults can connect the dots themselves…as long as you’ve done the job of giving the information in an entertaining manner.
For the most part, so can kids, teens, YAs, and the New YAs. I should correct that cause I’ve known these age groups to read the same books I do. Remember, these ages are smarter than we adults give them credit.
Readers are reading your book for that book’s story…nothing more, nothing less.
If you have to go on and on to be satisfied you’ve made your point or given the information you won’t let go. Well, then honestly, maybe you should re-read cause most likely you haven’t written it as well as you think/could have.
Or…stop second-guessing yourself and trust that your readers are not: fools or stupid.
Readers…and we’re all readers, so you should recognize this in yourself…don’t need to be spoon fed. The problem with being an author (and remember I’m one, too) is we think everything about our story needs to be told. It never does. We know that as well, we just get so caught up in our world’s story we become blind to what’s best for our story.
Hence, being harsh now…personally, I’d rather think blunt, but, hey…instead of having a reader/reviewer do so later.
Now…get writing!