11. Do You Have Kitchen Sink Syndrome in Your Writing?

In this episode, we'll be delving into the art of restraint in novel writing. Specifically, we'll discuss why it's crucial for writers to resist the temptation to throw in everything but the kitchen sink into their novel manuscript.

Otherwise known as kitchen sink syndrome.

It’s something I see often in my book coaching and developmental editing business – writers find themselves stuck and second guessing their story, and as a result, they tend to throw far too many characters, plot points, & twists and turns into an already packed story, for fear of not hooking their reader.

Tune in to find out why this is and how to fix it!

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Transcript

STEPS TO STORY EP 11 - Everything But the Kitchen Sink

[00:00:00] Nicole Meier: When writers throw in too many elements, the story can become cluttered and confusing for the reader. By exercising restraint, writers can maintain clarity and keep the focus on what truly matters: the core themes, characters, and plot points.

[00:00:30] Nicole Meier: and transform their dream of writing a book into a reality. I'm your host, Nicole Meyer, multi published author and certified book coach. I spent the first part of my fiction writing career desperate for guidance that was unavailable to me. I wrote draft after draft, flying by the seat of my pants with lots of passion but little guidance.

[00:00:53] Nicole Meier: Thankfully, there was a writing community that opened its arms and welcomed me. This community sustained me, but when it came to strengthening my novel writing process, I was determined to find a better way, one that didn't involve piecemeal strategies. and confusing courses. Now, more than a decade later, I'm serving my younger self, who yearned for support while writing a book.

[00:01:20] Nicole Meier: If you're an emerging author seeking guidance, this podcast is for you. Are you on the list to get my novel writing guide? I designed this workbook to take you through five essential strategies that will level up your novel writing process. Grab your free copy at NicoleMeyer. com forward slash crafting greatness.

[00:01:43] Nicole Meier: That's NicoleMeyer. com forward slash crafting greatness or at the link in the show notes.

[00:01:57] Nicole Meier: Well, hi there, writers. In today's episode, we'll be delving into the art of restraint in novel writing. Thanks Specifically, we'll discuss why it's crucial for writers to resist the temptation to throw in everything but the kitchen sink into their novel manuscript, otherwise known as kitchen sink syndrome.

[00:02:18] Nicole Meier: It's actually something I see quite often in my book coaching and developmental editing business. Writers find themselves stuck and second guessing their story, and as a result, they tend to throw in far too many characters, plot points, and twists and turns into an already packed story for fear of not hooking their reader.

[00:02:41] Nicole Meier: And I get it. In a world of writing, it's easy to fall into the trap of overloading our stories with excessive details, subplots, and characters. After all, as writers, we often feel the urge to showcase our creativity and depth by packing our narratives with as much content as possible. However, I'm going to offer that more isn't always better.

[00:03:07] Nicole Meier: Let's go over why this is. First there's the issue of clarity and focus. When writers throw in too many elements, the story can become cluttered and confusing for the reader. By exercising restraint, writers can maintain clarity and keep the focus on what truly matters. The core themes, characters, and plot points.

[00:03:32] Nicole Meier: The second point I want to make here is that of character development. In depth character development is essential for engaging storytelling. However, inundating the narrative with an abundance of characters can dilute the impact of each individual's arc. Let me say that again, inundating the narrative with an abundance of characters can dilute the impact of each individual's arc.

[00:03:59] Nicole Meier: By carefully selecting and fleshing out a manageable cast, writers can ensure that each character receives the attention they deserve. The third point I want to make here is that of narrative cohesion. A well crafted story flows smoothly from beginning to end. with each scene and subplot contributing to the overall narrative arc.

[00:04:23] Nicole Meier: When writers throw in unnecessary subplots, the story can actually lose its cohesion, leading to a disjointed pacing and lack of focus. And then my final point here is that of reader engagement. Readers actually appreciate stories that respect their time and intelligence. By practicing restraint and delivering a focused, streamlined narrative, Writers can captivate their audience and keep them eagerly turning the pages.

[00:04:53] Nicole Meier: So now that we've gone over these points, let's talk about some practical tips for exercising restraint when drafting your novel manuscript. Tip number one, focus on the essentials. I'm suggesting you identify the core elements of your story, so the central theme, your protagonist, and the primary conflict, and prioritize them above all else.

[00:05:21] Nicole Meier: Tip number two, we've all heard it before, kill your darlings. Don't be afraid to cut extraneous scenes, characters, or subplots that don't serve the overarching narrative. Remember, less is often more. Okay, tip number three, simplify complex ideas. Rather than overwhelming readers with convoluted plot twists or esoteric references, simplify Strive for clarity and accessibility in your storytelling.

[00:05:55] Nicole Meier: And tip number four, trust your audience. Readers are intelligent and intuitive. Trust them to fill in the gaps and connect the dots without spoon feeding every detail. So to recap, the art of restraint is a fundamental aspect of effective storytelling. By resisting the urge to throw in everything but the kitchen sink, writers can create narratives that are focused, cohesive, and deeply resonant.

[00:06:27] Nicole Meier: So the next time you sit down to write, remember to embrace restraint as a powerful tool in your creative arsenal. What helped getting focused on both your story arc and character development in your novel writing? Okay, good news. If you head to NicoleMeier. com, I've got some great self paced courses that are designed just for this.

[00:06:50] Nicole Meier: Head on over and see what works for you. Okay, writers, thanks for tuning in to this episode of Steps to Story. Until next time, happy writing.

[00:07:05] Nicole Meier: If you want to check out my coaching programs for fiction writers, click here. visit NicoleMeier. com. That's M E I E R. And if you liked this episode, I'd love you to take a minute to leave a rating and review for this podcast. This will help more writers like you to discover the show and to get going on their writing journey.

[00:07:25] Nicole Meier: Thanks so much for listening. Until next time, happy writing, everyone.