Do You Overwrite?

One of the problems writers have is telling the readers too much. They overwrite wanting to make sure the reader understands clearly what the writer is trying to convey. 

We've all read books, short stories or essays where the point is made in a paragraph and then the very same point is made all over again in the next one or two paragraphs down the page. Yes, I know what you're thinking  It doesn't matter because they obviously got published. Lots of of writing gets published despite blips like this but that doesn't mean it's alright to continue disrespecting your reader.

Disrespect? Yes, in a way it is exactly that. Writers want to make sure the reader gets what he/she is trying to say. They treat the adult reader as though he/she is a child and needs to be reminded repeatedly in order to learn. 

Readers are a whole lot smarter than writers think they are. We don't need to repeat and repeat for them to get the point. The majority will understand and those who don't are probably going to pick it up somewhere later in the story. 

There's another reason writers occasionally repeat a point, only using different words. It can be because they've run out of additional things to say about their subject. So, hey, why not just repeat what was already said but maybe using different words? That is not the fault of the reader. It falls to the writer to admit that guilt. 

I've seen this situation in some of the critiques at my online writer's group. The critiquer will write you already stated this in paragraph 10 above or something similar to that. If the critiquer sees it, then most likely the reader will, too. 

When you edit your work, check to see if you have overstated a point, repeated more than is necessary. When writing that first draft, we are probably not aware of doing so. That's why we don't ever submit our first draft to an editor. Catch those little errors that need cutting or polishing to bring the diamond to light.