To summarize or not to summarize...
More notes on nonfiction
In my ongoing conversations about the differences between academic and general nonfiction, I want to bring up two things here that tend to happen in big blocks in academic nonfiction and shouldn’t happen much at all in general nonfiction: summaries and quotations
As with other reflections on these differences, I want to point out that this is not monolithic advice but more observations for how you can hone your language better for one audience or the other.
These are check-in points you can use as you edit to see if your general nonfiction work is veering too technical, or if your scholarly work is in need of realignment.
And it all comes down to the reader.
Showing and Telling vs. Summary
In general nonfiction (and fiction, for that matter) we talk a lot about “showing, not telling.” There’s whole books and blogs and everything about this critical skill.
Put simply, it means that readers like to experience and learn with you more than they want to learn from you.
Readers want to know what it feels like to walk down those city streets; they want detail, sensory experiences, emotion.
They don’t want you to tell them the streets were long, hot, and dusty. They don’t want to take your word for it! They want to know what that feels like on the skin, what would be going on around them if they were there, what they’re seeing in all its gorgeous detail. They want agency.
This is, fundamentally, the opposite of Summary.
In academic nonfiction, readers want to learn from you.
They want efficiency, reminders, and checkpoints. Depending on the level of your scholarship, they may want you to tell them not only what you’re doing, but what other scholars have done before, too.
Scholarly work relies on summary to anchor each chapter, and provides QED proof you’ve accomplished what you promised.
Academic readers don’t want detail that doesn’t accomplish something valuable quickly and clearly. And, honestly, it’s the whole reasoning behind the tight summary in an academic introduction, because we all know that that’s where 99.9% of the reading will happen. Summarize up front, quickly, and effectively and it’s a win-win. You get your message across, and the reader never has to read the actual chapters!
Use Your Voice
Whether you’re writing general or scholarly nonfiction, I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that you’re using too many quotes. Even you, business & leadership folks… so many stories in other people’s voices!
What readers want - both general and academic readers - is YOU.
Shocking, I know!
In scholarly nonfiction, strive for balance. It’s important to build from past scholarship and give credit where credit is due.1
Importantly, however, this does not mean that those other voices should overwhelm yours. Big block quotes are usually the first giveaway that you’re relying too much on someone else’s words instead of your own.
It happens because we’re afraid to plagiarize (#agoodfeartohave), or we don’t trust our own authority, or we are too enamored of the other writer’s work!
When editing, I always recommend scholars take a 30,000ft view of the page - lots of block quotes? Cut them down and put in your own voice.
If your reader wanted to read that other scholar’s work, they would. They want to read yours.
In general nonfiction, this rule goes double. Extensive quotes are not your friend.
Block quotes intimidate general nonfiction readers. They scream “intense research” and, honestly, most readers don’t want to do it.
As I mentioned above, the general nonfiction reader wants to go through the experience with you. They trust you to gently guide them to a digestible conclusion.
They do not want to do the work themselves.
Think of it another way. Your reader loves you because you survived the challenges, accrued the experiences, did the research… so they don’t have to!
If you find that your paragraphs are more quotations or paraphrases than your own words, pause and reassess.2 Your reader trusts you and wants to hear from you.
My rule of thumb is usually 10%. In general nonfiction, no more than 10% of any paragraph should be a quote. Is this a hard and fast rule? No. But it’s a great place to start.
I hope these two tips help you as you write and revise.
Tune into your reader no matter what you do. Prioritizing your reader should always be the first and last thing you do with your book. They won’t steer you wrong.
Questions about how to spot or manage these skills? Hit reply or drop in the comments below.
Only ONE SPOT LEFT for the Athens Iconic Writing Retreat!
In my last post, I shared that I’m hosting an exclusive, high-touch writing retreat for iconic women nonfiction writers in Athens, Greece this Fall.
If you have been thinking that YOU are one of those iconic women, let me know ASAP, because I only have room for one more writer!
From October 30 to November 3, 2023, three incredible women are going to join me for an immersive writing experience.
This retreat is for women looking to finish their year out with a grand beginning, rather than a slow ending.
This retreat is for you if:
• You are ready to start that book you've been dreaming about!
• You are ready to tackle that important revision!
• You are ready to write that proposal so your book can get out in the world!
Two amazing women have grabbed their spots already.
Writer #1 has been working on her memoir for years. It's 𝘴𝘰 close, and she's ready to do that final revision! In advance of the retreat, she's sharing her manuscript with me for review so we can set a plan and she can start her revision on Day 1!
Writer #2 is a new voice in the health and wellness sphere and is ready to write her first book that will cement her thought-leader status. Before the retreat, she's going to complete my signature Pre-Proposal Strategy so she can dive right into Chapter 1 in Greece!
Writer #3…. is it you???
If you’re ready to commit to changing your life and your book this Fall, don’t miss out.
We’re only 80 days away from this iconic experience!
If you want to join us, reach out today.
Email me, grab a quick chat, but don’t put it off.
This is your moment.
See you in Athens!
I know I don’t need to remind you: NEVER PLAGIARIZE! (Not sure? Reach out and ask me!)
It never hurts to repeat it: NEVER PLAGIARIZE! (Reach out with questions!)