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EVERY WORD TELL

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Published 2 days ago • 1 min read

EVERY WORD TELL

Writing and publishing insight from nonfiction collaborative writer Blake Atwood

My literal to-be-read shelf currently holds twenty-three books.*

I've started fourteen of them.

And, yes, of course I keep buying more.

For too long, I was a "finish the book out of respect for the author" kind of reader. A completionist.

True story: I once re-read Bad Twin (a metafictional novel based on the TV show LOST) because I was sure I'd missed something. I didn't. For me, it just wasn't a great book.

That was many years ago, but it taught me a valuable lesson that I imagine many of you learned much earlier: When it comes to reading, trust your gut.

I could have used this advice from Alex & Books back then:

1) The 10% Rule: Read 10% of a book and if you're not hooked on it by then, drop it. Ex: If it's a 350-page book, read the first 35 pages.
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2) The Rule of 50: Give a book 50 pages to win you over. If you're not interested by then, quit it.
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3) The 3 Strikes Rule: Give a book three chances to hit a home run with you. Read the introduction, the first chapter, and then one more chapter in the book. If you're not into the book after three chapters, it's a strike and drop the book.

Author tip: Note the sections Alex calls out. If those parts of your book aren't singing with purpose and connection, keep working on them.

If you have nagging guilt for quitting a book, think about your TBR in this fantastic way Oliver Burkeman describes it in Meditations for Mortals:

"Treat your to-read pile like a river, not a bucket. That is to say: think of your backlog not as a container that gradually fills up, and that it’s your job to empty, but as a stream that flows past you, from which you get to pick a few choice items, here and there, without feeling guilty for letting all the others float by."

Here's to less reader guilt, more reading pleasure, and finding and sharing all the wisdom of only the good books.

May your TBR be less intimidating and more inspiring!

—Blake Atwood

* Let's not discuss my Kindle TBR shelf, which is full of 99¢ impulse buys I was so certain I'd read soon.

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Every Thursday, you'll receive 300 words or so about writing, reading, editing, or publishing.

Always feel free to reply. Ask a question you'd like to see answered here. Reach out for help with your next nonfiction project. Or just reply to let me know, Yeah, me too.

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2100 N Greenville Ave Ste. 100, Richardson, TX 75082

EVERY WORD TELL

by Blake Atwood

Let's write books that transform lives. As an early editor on Atomic Habits and now a book coach and ghostwriter, I share what I've learned to help you craft compelling books.

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