Flow

By Paul McCarthy - Dec 14 , 2007

“Flow” is an important aspect of writing, giving readers a sense of moving smoothly through ideas, experiences, and concepts in text. By definition and nature, good “flow” is achieved as author and editor eliminate all flaws that interfere with flow. Their ideal goal is to have the reader start the book and continue through to the end without any disruptions caused by flaws.

As they work, an author and editor anticipate and factor in the readers’ potential responses, and revise and edit accordingly. Most of what they do is conscious, analytical, intellectual. However, at appropriate stages in the creative/editorial process, they apply their professional intuition and “feel.”

Responding to the revised/edited manuscript at elevated, subliminal levels of sensitivity, they detect all the places where the book isn’t flowing and make the necessary improvements.

The “flow enhancers” that author and editor establish in the final manuscript include:

* Consistency. Whether it’s the themes, insights, and recommendations of a book of foreign policy analysis, or the twisting, shifting plot of a mystery thriller, all within the book should be consistent.

* Credibility. In such books as novels, memoirs, and biographies, everything should be believable, logical, and, as necessary, as “factually” documented as possible—from information presented, experiences described, unfolding storylines.

* Progression. The strong and clear continuation, from scene to scene, action to consequences, and thoughts and information that build on and lead to new, connected insights and expanding information. There is an overall continuity of structure and sharply defined focus that keeps all the material and storylines “on track” as the book proceeds.

* Only the right questions—as they are generated in fiction by storytelling, characters, plot, suspense, or the experiences, issues, and revelations, in a biography, memoir, or self-help book. They are intended to make the reader think more frequently and deeply about what’s in the book, stimulate valuable insights, and unveil new elements and aspects. Whether the reader is engaged in pondering these questions while reading or during pauses, flow facilitates thinking that moves easily into and out of the book.

* Clear complexity. However great the creative ambition, range, and depths of the book plus consequent complexities, there is constancy of flow. With the best transitions and all other elements in place, no matter how much or swiftly the story, subject, or “course direction” changes, the flow easily facilitates the reader’s every adjustment.

* Unity. With all the themes, elements, aspects, motives, etc., unified from beginning to end, highest to basic, the reader is on a well-defined journey of understanding. They conclude their reading by arriving at the end with the ease, rewards, thoughts, questions, and excitement intended by the author when flow is properly honed and enhanced.