Write Things: On leaving room for our reader

Hello writers, 

Today’s tip is strictly for revision—it’s not something to worry about while writing the first draft of your story.

That said, the more intentionally you apply this approach during revision (as suggested in the invitation section), the more naturally it will shape your writing over time.

Idea: On Revision

Whether we're writing personal or fictional stories, we want our ideas to resonate. If they don’t, what was the point of writing our story in the first place? But here’s the challenge: many amateur writers over-explain their stories.

Let me be clear—this is a natural part of the writing process, especially in personal stories where we’re wrestling with meaning, cause and effect, and understanding our past. Yet, over-explaining can rob our readers of something essential: the chance to draw their own conclusions.

When we explain too much—telling readers not just what happened but also what to think about it—we risk losing the story’s pace and tension. Worse, it starts to feel like a lecture. Stories thrive when readers engage, making sense of events alongside us. This connection keeps them turning the page.

Here’s one of the most powerful revision tips I can offer: trust your reader. Trust that your descriptions, dialogue, and characters’ reactions will lead them to the right conclusions.

Don’t worry about this during your first draft. That’s your time to explore and express everything. When revising, however, look for moments where you’ve already shown the action of a scene but then felt the need to explain its meaning. Try removing the explanation and see how it reads. You might be surprised at how much more engaging and dynamic your story feels when your reader plays an active role in making sense of it.

Inspiration: "Seemingly Insignificant"

Set a timer for four minutes and write continuously on the prompt above. This week, lean into the images, feelings, or ideas that feel important. Afterward, decide whether to revise, continue, or leave it as is.

Want to get more comfortable sharing your work? Inspire a friend? Forward them this email and share your quick-write with them. Then, ask them to send you theirs. Sharing imperfect work is an excellent way to silence the inner critic and build confidence!

Invitation: Revision Challenge

Choose a scene from your story—something emotionally charged or pivotal. Reread it carefully. Now, highlight the parts where you’ve explained the meaning behind the actions or spelled out a character’s thoughts. Try rewriting the scene, removing the explanations and focusing on letting the dialogue, actions, and setting tell the story. Trust your reader to piece it together.

When you’re done, compare the two versions. Which one feels more alive? More engaging? Share your thoughts or your rewritten scene with someone you trust and see how they respond.

Until next week,

Trevor