True.

I am writing book 1. But I have been telling myself stories about these characters for a very long time. This is why I know so much, but a lot of what I told myself doesn't work in book form. For one thing, I didn't need to be fully consistent in my own head.

That’s a great way to do it as well. It’s amazing how each writer has their own process that makes finishing a book easier for them.

I adore my critique partners. Honestly, I might have quit years ago if it wasn’t for them. They encourage me, even when they tell me my stuff is crap sometimes.

That’s the joy of writing, most things can be fixed with adding more context.

Those fresh eyes are so important. Getting first hand knowledge is what is working and what isn’t. Where readers are confused. Bored. All of that is gold before you hit publish.

It’s a balancing act for sure. Especially if you write a continuing series. Too much backstory and you bore old readers. Too little and you confuse new ones.

I have two dev editing clients right now that have this same issue. It’s to the extreme end and I have to wonder if they didn’t read it all the way through before sending it to me. Or if they just know the world so well in their own head that they are unaware that they didn’t inform the reader.

When I send off my chapters to my critique partners, I always have an idea where my issues but, but they are so wonderful at helping me figure out how to fix them. I tell all my clients to find a close group of writing friends and share their work.

I find the same when I edit. It’s amazing how much someone else can see about your work that your blind to.