The Art and Science of What Gets Cut

If you're writing a book, how do you choose what goes in, and what gets cut? Share on X

For me, choosing a real person to speak to is the most important part of writing a book, writing an article, or even giving a presentation. Having that person in mind keeps me focused, and always reminds me to think of who I’m serving.

So when it comes to editing down content and deciding what should stay or what should go, I just think of the person I’m writing to: would that person find this interesting? Yes! Then I’ll keep it in. Would they find this part dull? Well…yes. Then I’ll take it out.

What about you?

Have you tried writing to a specific person, when writing or giving a presentation?

6 Comments

Rob Stevens February 27, 2018 at 6:50 AM

Love these episodes!!! Of course, I’m dying to know what the answer is that Marcus raised in talking about positive vs. negative feedback. What does the research say?
Darcy Kelly February 27, 2018 at 7:18 AM

Development teams use this same idea! It helps team members with understanding and conceptualizing requirements.
- Meredith Bohling March 1, 2018 at 11:02 AM
  
  I love that idea!
Jeremy Farrell February 27, 2018 at 7:28 AM

No I haven’t, but I think that this is a brilliant idea, and I will put it into use tonight immediately!
- Meredith Bohling March 1, 2018 at 11:01 AM
  
  Jeremy, I want to know if it works for you!
Albert chitsiko January 22, 2019 at 11:32 AM

Management gurus encourage measurement of plans. Reduce everything to figures hence insights to achieve something condensed