Overwriting can be especially detrimental to self-publishing authors. It can increase the cost of publishing a book and discourage potential readers from trying a new author’s book.
Those who lean towards overwriting can use these five tips to improve their manuscripts.
1. Follow an Outline
Outlines showcase a story’s main plot and help overwriters stay on track. A well-developed outline can curb the tendency to get off track and write filler scenes.
2. Evaluate Characters
Overwriters often include too many points of view and too many characters. Self-publishing authors who are overwriters should consider making a spreadsheet that lists each character and their function within a story. If several characters serve the same function, then character cuts should be made. Similarly, if a character in a large cast serves only a small purpose, the self-publishing author should consider if their role can be given to another more significant character.
3. Evaluate Scenes
A spreadsheet can also be used to evaluate the scenes within a story. The self-publishing author should ask themselves what purpose a scene has. It should be cut if the scene doesn’t move the plot, explain the setting, develop important characters, or otherwise add to the narrative.
4. Tell
The adage of show, don’t tell, can sometimes be taken too far by those who gravitate towards overwriting. Sometimes, in a story, a self-publishing author should tell the reader things rather than show them in detail. This is especially true when a scene’s primary purpose is to move characters from one point to another. There is usually no need to explain the intricacies of a character getting ready in the morning. A car ride from one location to the next doesn’t need to be told in detail unless something happens along the way. Similarly, a character at a store doesn’t need the reader to know everything in their cart unless it is relevant to the story.
While telling should be used sparingly, there are times when many overwriters can sum up a scene or action without taking it away from the story.
5. Eliminate Unnecessary Description
Overwriters tend to lean into descriptions. If a self-publishing author notices paragraph upon paragraph of description, they should evaluate if those descriptions add to a story. In a contemporary novel, the author doesn’t need to describe every kitchen appliance or knick-knack on a bookshelf. Even in a fantasy or historical setting, the self-publishing author should consider how vital in-depth descriptions are and whether a reader can understand what is happening with less detail. Descriptions used to add to a story’s mood or tone should be enough to get the task done but not used in excess.
A reader can infer from a character with an umbrella and wet socks that it is raining. There isn’t the need to add the sound of rain on the rooftops, a car spraying water onto pedestrians, water droplets glistening on leaves, etc, in most cases.
In some cases, dialogue can be used in place of description to convey information to the reader. While this shouldn’t be overdone, it can be a useful tool to speed up pacing and relay information to readers without long descriptions.
Trimming the excess from a manuscript makes it more accessible to readers and lowers the book printing costs.
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