Simplify or Die
Posted on January 25th, 2011
The success or failure of non-fiction writers has always depended on their ability to simplify a complex thought. To capture the essence of a concept, to “eliminate the unnecessary so the necessary can speak” (Hans Hoffman).
To remove the things that get in the way of understanding, yet retain the things that matter, to capture the essence of the subject.
The Net is a haven for non-fiction writers and this essence-exposing is ever more critical as our readership shifts around us. Nicholas Carr in his book “The Shallows” points out the changes in brain function as a result of Internet use (these changes happen in as little as one hour a week). It is to these changed states we write.
Should you not understand this, should you not understand that a simplified information delivery is demanded of non-fiction in online writing, then your success is limited by your audience.
So here’s the question. What is it you can simplify today Doug? What complicated thought can you precis to the bone?
And what’s stopping you now?
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Tags: Simplify, Simplify Die
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