Author’s Evaluation If I Wrote The Book Again

My husband and I were discussing my latest book at dinner. I cited some of the headings and added, “If I wrote the book again I would probably expand that section.” He smiled and shook his head.
“That’s always true,” he answered. “You’re still writing and revising in your mind. That’s why interviewers ask authors if there is anything they would change.”
I often have second thoughts about my writing, but thankfully, don’t torture myself with them. An author doesn’t necessarily lose interest in a topic after he or she has written about it. Just the opposite may be true and the author may write a sequel on the same subject.
When I’m working on a book I’m always on the lookout for ideas, snatches of conversation, unusual word choices, and new words to add to my vocabulary. A health and wellness writer, I rely on research and the findings lead me in various directions. Years ago, after working on a bookout line for three months, I deleted the whole thing and wrote a new one. It was a good decision.
Books linger in my mind long after they have gone to press. Sometimes I wish I had included another story or emphasized a point more. All of my books come from life experiences. Since these experiences are always with me, it is natural to think about them. My thoughts fall into three groups, theme, word choices, and page count.
Everyone goes through grief, yet grief resources can be a “hard sell,” as they say in the book industry. I have to come up with themes that strike chords with the reading public. The titles of my books have to emphasize the themes. Equally important, they have to be instantly clear to people who are searching the Internet for grief resources.
Choosing words is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job, which really isn’t a job, it is ongoing joy. Words fascinate me. The English language is rich with descriptive words and slang. For me, finding the right word to slot into a sentence is like a going on a treasure hunt. Sometimes I wish I had chosen a different word, but this doesn’t happen often.
Page count is important with grief resources. Readers are already stressed and tired, and I don’t want to tire them any more. I’m not writing text books, I’m writing self-help books, resources mourners may read in two hours or less. As I’m writing I keep the page count in mind, and aim for anything between 100 and 115. Non-writers may think writing short books is easier than writing long. But writing short is demanding and the author must make every word count. At least, that is my experience.
It’s taken years for me to realize the phrase, “If I wrote the book again,” is a form of self-evaluation. I’m looking for ways to improve my work. I hold the book in my hand and study the front and back covers. I read the contents page and make sure the chapter titles are clear and sequential. I leaf through the pages to see if the layout fosters reading.
Other writers may have different ways of evaluating their work and I applaud them. But this simple phrase works for me and has led to new book ideas.