As someone who writes books, and also works with other authors to proof and design their books, I’ve noticed within the last year or so an increase in cases of what I like to call Overthinking Disease. It’s when an author tells me their book is done and ready to format and sell, and I say three words that quickly upend what should be a simple process: “Is it finished?”
Then I might add “Have you proofed your work?” or “Are you happy with how your book reads?” These questions undoubtedly get answers like “Let me go through it one more time,” or “I’m almost done. I just have a few more things to figure out.” What happens far too often, though, is an author tries to draw me into their quagmire of indecisiveness. They end up rethinking their story. And rethinking it. And rethinking it again. They weren’t really done; they were just tired of it.
In the past I’d take them by their word. Okay then, if you say you’re done, send me the finished manuscript and I will format it. What has followed with a few unnamed authors is a barrage of changes and edits. One author sent me 446 corrections, I kid you not. And this was after the book was already formatted and ready to be printed. I charged him, of course, and it ended up costing him three times more than the initial quote—because it took me that much longer to work on it. And I currently have two other authors that contacted me “Ready to go!” who seem to have disappeared into the abyss somewhere because they just can’t let go of their books. I really do think it’s like a disease, because it robs them both mentally and physically.
But before I get into offending anyone, let’s take a look at what may really be going on here. Many authors don’t know when to say their story is over. Or when to stop. Or how to stop. All this indecisiveness can be avoided from the very start. And that is by knowing your story ahead of time.
When you write a book, you should know the beginning, the middle, and the end before you type the first paragraph. All the major characters—their names, traits, and personalities—should be mapped out. You do this by writing down, first, a one or two-sentence description of your book. For instance, for my upcoming book The Ghosts of Culpepper Antiques, my single-sentence description reads as follows: Ghosts that reside in a Virginia antique store become concerned when new items show up with no spirit attached.
My longer description reads: Ghosts that reside in a Virginia antique store become concerned when new items show up with no spirit attached. Together an eclectic clan of seven tries to solve the mystery while sharing their own stories about how they got there, and why they can’t escape.
I’ve written down the names and traits of all seven characters, a single-page description of the setting, and a list of possible “points of intrigue” that I want to include within the story. And I know the ending. But here’s the big thing: I’m happy with that story outline.
Now, when I progress from chapter to chapter, I have a clear roadmap to work with. I might take a few unexpected and exciting side roads here and there, but I know how to get back onto the interstate and reach my goal. The interstate is my prep work.
If you’ve written a book and can’t formulate an intriguing book description after the fact, then you didn’t prepare properly. You just dove right in with a vague storyline in your head. And, like the travel metaphor, you can quickly veer off course. The story ends up meandering, and that’s a lot of driving, and a waste of gas. So you get tired and become unsure of whether the story is good or not.
But here’s the good news. If you’ve prepared beforehand, and liked your well-thought-out idea from the get-go, everything else is overthinking. Because if you stuck to your initial concept, that’s the concept that works. Don’t overthink that because you’re tired and worn out. You did it. So put on the brakes, get out of the car, and walk around. Take in the scenery. You’ve reached your destination.
Now let’s get that book published for all to enjoy!
In the past I’d take them by their word. Okay then, if you say you’re done, send me the finished manuscript and I will format it. What has followed with a few unnamed authors is a barrage of changes and edits. One author sent me 446 corrections, I kid you not. And this was after the book was already formatted and ready to be printed. I charged him, of course, and it ended up costing him three times more than the initial quote—because it took me that much longer to work on it. And I currently have two other authors that contacted me “Ready to go!” who seem to have disappeared into the abyss somewhere because they just can’t let go of their books. I really do think it’s like a disease, because it robs them both mentally and physically.
But before I get into offending anyone, let’s take a look at what may really be going on here. Many authors don’t know when to say their story is over. Or when to stop. Or how to stop. All this indecisiveness can be avoided from the very start. And that is by knowing your story ahead of time.
When you write a book, you should know the beginning, the middle, and the end before you type the first paragraph. All the major characters—their names, traits, and personalities—should be mapped out. You do this by writing down, first, a one or two-sentence description of your book. For instance, for my upcoming book The Ghosts of Culpepper Antiques, my single-sentence description reads as follows: Ghosts that reside in a Virginia antique store become concerned when new items show up with no spirit attached.
My longer description reads: Ghosts that reside in a Virginia antique store become concerned when new items show up with no spirit attached. Together an eclectic clan of seven tries to solve the mystery while sharing their own stories about how they got there, and why they can’t escape.
I’ve written down the names and traits of all seven characters, a single-page description of the setting, and a list of possible “points of intrigue” that I want to include within the story. And I know the ending. But here’s the big thing: I’m happy with that story outline.
Now, when I progress from chapter to chapter, I have a clear roadmap to work with. I might take a few unexpected and exciting side roads here and there, but I know how to get back onto the interstate and reach my goal. The interstate is my prep work.
If you’ve written a book and can’t formulate an intriguing book description after the fact, then you didn’t prepare properly. You just dove right in with a vague storyline in your head. And, like the travel metaphor, you can quickly veer off course. The story ends up meandering, and that’s a lot of driving, and a waste of gas. So you get tired and become unsure of whether the story is good or not.
But here’s the good news. If you’ve prepared beforehand, and liked your well-thought-out idea from the get-go, everything else is overthinking. Because if you stuck to your initial concept, that’s the concept that works. Don’t overthink that because you’re tired and worn out. You did it. So put on the brakes, get out of the car, and walk around. Take in the scenery. You’ve reached your destination.
Now let’s get that book published for all to enjoy!
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