I've now provided the same advice to three people while editing their memoir/self help books, so I thought I might as well make a post about it too.
A major problem I often see in self help and memoir manuscripts is too many listicles and not enough stories, and to be quite frank, this lazy practice is riddled throughout article and blog writing too!
When it comes to making a point, 9 times out of 10, story trumps lists, but the sad truth is that a lazy listicle is easier to make.
📋Why so many lists?
People often provide a list when they are trying to prove a point. You'll often see lists when an author tries to build credibility, showcase data, or provide validity.
One problem is that if the list isn't tight enough, it can take a long time to get there and it loses meaning.
In other words, a list of accolades (for example) don't speak volumes like they could/should when it becomes exhaustive.
I recently read one client's manuscript where they had bullet points that were each three lines long, and there were seven of them! I forgot what the first one said by the time I reached the last one.
Another recent client had a list of personal achievements in their introductory chapter that went on for about three paragraphs, but I didn't care because it was boring! It was a bunch of "I did this" and "I did that" statements. It lost its weightiness after the first paragraph, making it feel exhaustive and like they were bragging. I know it wasn't the author's intention, but that's how it would have came off to the reader (but thankfully, they took my advice and changed it).
This isn't to say listicles don't have their place. Landing pages and lead magnets are often a great place for lists. They can also be beneficial when trying to get a lot of information across in a quick, summarized manner.
But what writers often miss (and the second problem with listicles) is that they lack relatability. Listicles cut right to the chase, disregarding any meaningful connection with the audience. This is okay at times, especially when you've already built rapport with your audience or hooked them in another way. That's why I always recommend having a listicle follow something (like a story or question).
But this isn't to say it should be our go-to solution. While listicles can quickly cover a lot of information, they lacks the number one piece of engagement that writer's need: emotion!
📖Why is storytelling better?
If you focus on one thing (tell a story), it encompasses your point as a whole. The nice thing about a story is that you have a bit more wiggle room with length as long as it entertains/engages the audience.
And if you don't want it to be long, that's fine too. You can tell a story in a matter of a sentence or two. It may not seem like a story in the traditional sense, but it can still act as one.
For example:
Growing up on the farm taught me everything I need to know about running a business.
This one sentence tells a story. We can imagine the farm life, and we know what point is being driven home when it comes to comparing that to running a business.
Who needs a list about how you're a problem solver, hard worker, and determined when this one line is more personable and gets that all across immediately?
Here's an example:
Let's say you were a retired pro golfer and wanted to get that point across in the introduction of your book.
⛳You could say:
I won every college tournament I ever played in. I played alongside some greats like Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau. I won three U.S. Opens, the Masters Tournament, and twelve state championships. I was on top of the world.
I mean, it's not inherently bad, but it's boring, isn't it? It doesn't grab us.
⛳Instead, it'd be stronger to say this:
I set my feet shoulder width apart and eyed my target, looking back and forth between the hole and the ball. The crowd fell to a whisper, but the lively tension still tingled through the air.
One hand over the other, I swung my rusty older putter—the same '62 Wilson my grandfather swung on this very green decades ago.
The tap seemed to echo as it broke the silence. Even the wind held its breath as the ball took its course. It was the longest forty foot put of my life, but also the most significant.
Dropping into the hole, I was crowned victor of The Masters Tournament and welcomed into the green jacket club. It was the highlight of my golf career, and in that moment I thought, "My life is complete."
See the difference? While the list isn't bad, the story resonates. Especially if this was in the opening to someone's book, it'd be much easier to remember that this person was a pro golfer, and you might tell a friend, "I think he said he was in the green jacket club; he won the tournament with the same putter his grandfather used," instead of having a list where you say, "Yeah, he won a bunch of tournaments I think."
So if you're working on an article or book and considering adding a listicle, maybe take a step back and think about if there's a highlight story or moment that gets the same point across. Even if it's a few paragraphs long, will it engage your audience? Will it grab their attention? If it would, you already know the answer of what to do next. 😉
About Michael Jaymes
Michael Jaymes is a published author and self-taught writing coach, offering services such as strategic outlining, alpha reading, 1:1 coaching, and more. He's served over 450 unique clients and has delivered over 700 orders in 5 years. Some of Michael's clients have gone on to be published in magazines, become best sellers, receive prestigious awards, and even accept film opportunities.
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