Great advice all around! I'll second that editing someone else's book is invaluable in learning about your own.
I beta'ed for a friend over the summer, and we're in the same genre and everything - pop culture nonfiction. And the thing about writing nonfiction is that you want to share *every* clever thought you've ever had on the subject with the reader! But seeing it from the side as a reader, the number of times I was thinking "... Sure, but what's that have to do with the price of tea in China?" I am definitely going to at least attempt to be less precocious in my own books now!
Incredibly helpful and so well written! Thank you for devoting your time to this, Jodi! The advice really helps and unites us writers who are all facing the same daunting task of self-editing!
Great advice Jodi. The cat would add that all edits should be done on the couch : )
Great advice all around! I'll second that editing someone else's book is invaluable in learning about your own.
I beta'ed for a friend over the summer, and we're in the same genre and everything - pop culture nonfiction. And the thing about writing nonfiction is that you want to share *every* clever thought you've ever had on the subject with the reader! But seeing it from the side as a reader, the number of times I was thinking "... Sure, but what's that have to do with the price of tea in China?" I am definitely going to at least attempt to be less precocious in my own books now!
This is gold! Thank you for writing these letters.
Incredibly helpful and so well written! Thank you for devoting your time to this, Jodi! The advice really helps and unites us writers who are all facing the same daunting task of self-editing!