Before You Tear Your Book Apart, Read This.

A client sent me what I would call a “talk me off the ledge” email this week, and I have a feeling many of you will recognize this moment when it comes.

He had just printed his manuscript and started reading it on paper instead of on a screen. Up until that point, he felt like he had made strong progress. Then, within a few chapters, his entire perspective shifted.

He told me the book suddenly felt unfocused. He felt like he was saying a lot without getting to the point. Some of the content seemed to drift away from the core topic into broader ideas that, while related, were not as directly connected as he wanted them to be.

He also shared that the writing did not feel as engaging as it had before. What once felt relevant and lively now felt heavier and less clear.

By the time he finished his initial review, he was questioning the structure of the entire book. He wondered if he needed to remove large sections and significantly tighten the manuscript, possibly saving some of that material for future projects.

Underneath all of that was something I see often at this stage.

He was tired.

He had been working on the manuscript for a long time, and the combination of fatigue and a fresh perspective made everything feel more overwhelming than it actually was.

I am going to share my exact response to him below, because I think it will help you, if not now, then at some point in your own process.

MY RESPONSE:

DON'T JUMP! As Stephen Hawking said, "Where there's life, there's hope." That applies to a living, breathing, book and to YOU as the author!

This is not a situation that you should even think is any teeny tiny kind of failure. This is, though, a chance to refine your manuscript, IF you want to. It is okay to publish it as is. My team and I agree. \

Keep reading:)))

Your reaction is not alarming. Actually, this is a natural moment in the publishing journey. Almost every author who is really committed to his/her work reaches a point where the manuscript suddenly feels flat or unfocused. That doesn’t mean there's a problem with the book. What this means is that you've naturally lost your initial excitement and energy for it, and you are tired of the whole dang process, probably, especially given that you are building the complex funnel and launching a business at the same time.

With any book, I call this the “panic before publishing” or “ledge” moment. Maybe I should have warned you! I am so sorry that you are feeling ledge-y and stressed, at all. I am here to support you, for sure.

Keep reading:)))

Also, I totally relate as a writer. With every book I write or big project I complete, at some point, I think, "Why in the hell did I even start this?" This also happens when I paint a room in my house, decide to host a big party, expand a flower bed, etc. The way you are feeling is a strange part of human nature and just evidence that you CARE, which is great but exhausting, right? Also, Pat Conroy had multiple breakdowns while writing some of his books. He shared that openly in one that I read a few years ago. Pat Conroy was a genius. He finished his books, too.

Here's my advice:

1. Print out the book and do this: highlight every passage that absolutely does NOT relate to your main topic. While you do this, if you aren't sure, ask, "Would my ideal reader want to know/need to know this information?"

With one client, I had her highlight and label passages "rich asides" or "rabbit holes." For you, with a nonfiction book, the content will either be direct, supportive, or drifting. Label/highlight accordingly.

2. Do NOT do this when you are tired!

3. Don't invite random critics and your non-audience into your mind.

4. Don't ask any more people for their opinions:)

You've got an opportunity here to do one of three things:

1 - Most work - Elevate the manuscript once more while keeping cut content for other purposes for your audience.

2 - Worst choice - Spiral, take out too much, and weaken the book and the trilogy and create a lot of work and delay your success.

3 - Ideal option - Leave the book alone and take the next step: line editing.

I would ERR on the side of LEAVING CONTENT INSIDE THE BOOK!

XOXOXO

Jody

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If you are wondering what goes, what stays, or what to do next, schedule a call. My team will help you.