Editorial Op-Ed | Newsletter
Illuminating the Sweet Spot Between Writing and Reading Experience
Because we want to be efficient in our writing
Dear Writers,
Let’s admit it. We are realists. We want to court and score. While it is romantic to pursue courtship, unrequited love sucks.
Relationships have a lot in common with writing.
As writers, we love to engage in literary diarrhea. We can type without stopping. We can, but should we?
Our reading patterns present clues. How many 8-minute stories do you actually finish reading?
There are exceptions: -
- It is a story from a writer you love.
- It is a story from a writer you trust.
- It is a story of high utility (non-fiction) and high engagement (fiction).
These are my personal observations. I am guessing yours is not far off. Therefore, this advice is necessary for novice and professional writers alike.
I survive by finding the sweet spot between reason and unreason, between the rational and irrational.
- Author: Dean Koontz
Sweet spot matters, just like the chocolates in the image. Dark chocolate is good, too dark and it gets bitter.
A Choice Between 3/500, 4/750, 5/1000, 6/1250.
I want to touch on the sweet spot of reading duration. Every reader knows the time-duration of the story before they decide to read it.
The time-duration of the stories are determined by word count, and they are as follows: -
- 500 words and above — 3-minute long story.
- 750 words and above — 4-minute long story.
- 1,000 words and above — 5-minute long story.
- 1,250 words and above — 6-minute long story.
Many writers fall into a trap. They believe that longer reading times equals higher income from the readership. And so, they write longer and longer stories.
I disagree.
Examine our statistics for a moment. Is our story viewership significantly higher than readership? That is one sign readers love our story headline, willing to click and read, only to abandon the story halfway because it is too long.
I am speculating here. No one can accurately predict the behaviors of the Human Race. Dan Ariely wrote a string of bestsellers demonstrating this point.
Let’s say I am correct 50% of the time. That means 10 stories are abandoned before the conclusion if you write 20 stories in a month.
That is not energy efficient, in my opinion. Why write a 5-minute read when a 4-minute read is sufficient to close the deal?
Finding Your Sweet Spot.
Our content portfolio says it all.
Patterns form given consistent writing. Here is the place to look: -
- Go to the mobile application (it is easier).
- Go View Profile.
- Go Latest.
- Your stories are arranged from the latest work to the earliest.
- Examine the average time duration it takes to finish reading your stories.
This is a screenshot of my profile page from the mobile application.
The majority of my stories fall within the range of 4–5 minutes of reading duration.
Review your profile page. You will find clues of your writing sweet spot.
Case Studies from Our Editors.
The editors in ILLUMINATION write within a range.
Liam Ireland writes stories lasting between 3–7 minutes. The bulk of his stories falls within the 4–5 minutes range. He writes relationships, music, and life lessons.
Maria Rattray writes book chapters and long-form. Her stories last for 6 minutes and beyond.
Josh Balerite Acol, on the other hand, writes 5 minutes and shorter. She holds a full-time job while writing many stories about self-healing and being happy.
Dr. Preeti Singh writes a lot about spiritual enlightenment, travel, and gratitude. Her stories average 4–6 minutes.
Terry L. Cooper has the majority of her stories between 2–3 minutes long. She is an editor for multiple publications and is a thoughtful critic of her writing.
Everyone has their sweet spot. Find what works for you, given the circumstances you are dealt with. Chances are, you are holding a full-time job while making this side-hustle work.
Be efficient with your energy.
The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy’s cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him.
― Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
Summary
I hope you enjoyed this editorial op-ed.
If you believe that writing is part of your future, start writing more and find your sweet spot.
Conciseness done correctly does not sacrifice depth. It conserves energy for the next 5,000-pound knock-out punch in our next story.
Happy Writing, People.
Aldric
Dr Mehmet Yildiz Liam Ireland Maria Rattray Terry L. Cooper Carol Price Claire Kelly Tree Langdon Britni Pepper Agnes Laurens Karen Madej Josh Balerite Acol Dr. Preeti Singh The Maverick Files Esther George Noorain Hassan, BMS
As a content contributor, I write my observations from daily life and my business exposure. Because our life experience is the bedrock of our unique perspectives.