In editing the first draft of my new novel I often find places where the flow was present. Unfortunately that usually means I show (not tell for godssake) my characters moving from place to place, thinking thoughts they’ve already articulated, and generally feeling a bit too much. Logistics, getting people from place to place, are the first to go. They are usually unnecessary. Take them out and see if it still makes sense. (It will.) I remember teaching seventh graders writing and a boy who was completely stumped at how to get his story started without having his character get out of bed, brush his teeth, take a shower, eat breakfast, etc. etc. All the boring parts of living, right? As Elmore Leonard says, take out the boring stuff. 

The other thing in editing your second draft is that the first chapter can probably go. It was necessary for your flow when you started. It made you get deep inside the psyche of your character. But now that you’re there don’t burden your readers with it. Let it come out naturally later. I tend to load up my protagonists with heavy baggage so I’ll have something to work with later. Maybe it’s not necessary. Or maybe I can work it in little by little and not load up the poor reader too.

One thing I’ve learned as a reader is that I don’t like serious angst at the start of a book. It’s a turn-off. I’ve done it myself, and I’ve read it. You have to be seriously skilled as a writer to make it work for you, to draw in a reader to care about your damaged character. Depression, sadness, grief: they aren’t attractive to readers. Start elsewhere, young writer. Crack a joke. It’ll get you farther. Then after the story is trotting along dig a little deeper. It’s okay to have damaged people, hey, they’re out there, plenty of them. But draw the gentle reader along, don’t hit him over the head.

Back to the editing. Wish me luck.

And how about the information that although nearly two-thirds of books are purchased by women, men actually spend more on their books in dollar terms. Are they buying hardback? Are men more selective? They probably aren’t buying those 99 cent Kindle books… Speaking of e-books, in this study conducted in 2010 they remain a small part of the whole picture, less than 10% of all books sold.

Here’s the link to the full report: The Mystery Book Consumer in the Digital Age

Demographics:

• For all genres, not just mystery, women continue to buy the majority of books, but men’s share of books is higher in dollars than in units.

• Baby boomers and matures (people over 45) purchase over half of all books bought. • In the “mystery-detective” category, women and older buyers are even more highly represented. • Mystery buyers tend to be Mostly female – 7 out of 10 are women, and More mature– nearly 7 out of 10 are over 45

Retail Channels:

• Mystery buying is not only about chains or online retailers. 11% of units are sold through book clubs. 6% of units are sold through independents.

• Mysteries are mainly purchased in stores, followed by borrowing from the library, followed by purchasing online.

• 47% of books bought by men are purchased in a retail store.

• E-books play an increasingly larger role •  7.0% of purchases in Q2 2010, increased from 1.7% in Q2 2009.

• Book clubs attract more females than males. • Around 20% of all readers acquire their mysteries at libraries. • Online retailers mostly attract readers under the age of 40.

• Only 12% of readers 60 and older bought books from online retailers. • 13% of readers 60 and older acquired a mystery through book clubs such as Mystery Guild.

Marketing and Awareness:

Browsing bookshelves is no longer the only way readers become aware of mystery titles. Book clubs such as Mystery Guild remain one of the top ways readers become aware of mystery titles. The majority of mystery buyers are over 50 and not as influenced by online marketing methods as readers under 50.

Mystery Reading Behavior Overall:

• 68% of mysteries are purchased by women.

• Over half the mysteries purchased are sold to people over the age of 55.

• 19% of all readers acquire mysteries at libraries.

• 11% of all mysteries are sold through book clubs such as Mystery Guild.

• 39% of all mysteries are purchased in stores.

• 35% of mysteries are purchased by people who live in the South.

• 77% of mysteries are purchased by households with no children at home.

• 48% of mysteries are purchased by readers who live in suburban areas.

• E-book sales are growing fast. In 2009, 1.7% of books sold were e-books. In Q2 of 2010, 7% of books sold were e-books.

• Readers under 40 look for dark, suspenseful stories.

• Readers under 40 don’t see mysteries as distinct from other genres as older readers do.

• Readers over 60 are more loyal to the author or character than younger readers.

• Readers enjoy mysteries to solve the puzzle. They also love surprises, thrills, and suspense.

• Name recognition still influences readers to buy popular authors.

• Readers are attracted by appealing book covers.

• Readers want a preview of story elements before they buy.