In the last post, we looked at what you might add to make your writing more likely to sell. This time let's see what you might subtract:
1) Writing a non-fiction book? The "Dummies" and "Idiot's" guides have become hugely successful by simplifying complicated subjects. How can you subtract complexity but still do justice to your topic? One way might be to use mind maps or illustrations in place of a lot of text--the old 'picture is worth a thousand words' strategy.
2) Writing an article? People have less and less time to read, so brief, to-the-point articles are valued these days. Use bullet points, top ten lists, and sidebars to condense information.
3) Writing a blog? Personally, I'd rather read several short posts than one long one. And again, if you can use graphics instead of a lot of text, so much the better.
4) Writing a screenplay? The trend is for punchy, short, impactful descriptions of the action.
5) Writing a novel? Prose master Elmore Leonard says his rule is to cut the sort of things he'd skip if he were reading the book himself. He also says he cuts "anything that sounds like writing" --in other words, elements where the prose calls attention to itself. Not all novels have to be that way, of course, but at least consider whether yours would be better if you followed his lead.
I was going to list ten guidelines but I've cut it down to five :-)
