Too much information bores readers

While reading a new writer’s submission, this corporate communicator found out how too much information can be … well, too much

A talented, but unpublished writer sent an article to our newsletter asking if we’d consider printing it. Well-researched, well-organized and well-written, the story contained everything anyone would ever want to know about the subject.

As I read over the piece, one thought came to mind—Grandma’s soup.

A great cook, who started with tested recipes and the finest meats and vegetables, Grandma had one flaw shared with many writers: She couldn’t resist throwing a little extra into the pot. Last nite’s salsa to spice it up. A bit of stuffing to thicken. Maybe even something from that unmarked container in the freezer.

I’m as guilty as the rest, both in the kitchen and at the computer.

Everything in the submitted piece before me was good, useful information, but just way too much for our newsletter reader. The article’s focus and flavor had gotten lost amid all of the extras dumped into the story pot.