More isn't always more
Longer, wider, more valuable. More isn't always a good thing.
Gary Bloomer | SHAKING THE TREE # 335
Newsletter editors want more subscribers.
Marketing people want more sales.
Social media influencers want more followers.
We’re a society obsessed with more.
But what if more wasn’t the point?
What if more wasn’t the goal or the reason for doing whatever it is you do? What if sufficient was enough? What if, instead of constantly reaching higher, you focused on making things better.
Not fabulous. Not amazing. Better.
What if you aim to make every article you write slightly better than the previous one?Sharper, shorter, more focused. What if instead of writing 2,500 words, you say what needs to be said in 500 words? What if, after you get to the 500 word point, you stop?
Sometimes, more isn’t more. More is noise.
I’m learning this in my own writing, specifically with the books I’m currently writing.
Books?
Yes. Eight in total.
Five nonfictions works (two of which are complete), and three works of fiction, most of which is either written or planned out.
Hurrah, right?
The bulk of the writing is done. Major achievement, yes? Well, yes. And no.
Because now, the work of editing takes over and I’m challenging myself to cut the manuscript of the first fiction work (part one of a three part story) down from 145,000 words (which is what it is in its extended form), to something closer to 90,000.
In this case, more isn’t better.
In this case, more is a pain in the ass because now, having more means making decisions about what can stay in book one and what needs to move to books two and three.
So, right now, I’m focusing on making things better.
In the weeks ahead, how could you apply these thoughts to your own work?
I know the end result will be better.
As always, thanks for reading.
—Gary
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Next time on Shaking the Tree: Learning another language
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Originally from the U.K., Gary Bloomer is a writer, branding advocate, marketing specialist, and an award-winning graphic designer.
His design work has been included in Creative Review (one of the UK’s largest design magazines). Since 2009, he has answered over 5,000 marketing and business questions in the Know-How Exchange of MarketingProfs.com, placing him among the top 3% of contributors. He lives in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.