It’s time for part 4 of the Elements of Style Series. For those of you curious, here’s Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
And now the quote:
Concise. I don’t
think that’s a word that a lot of people would consider when writing. Especially during the time of NaNoWriMo. We’re instructed to get to a specific word
count. But what happens when we use too
many words?
Have you ever been in a class where the teacher seemed to
drone on and on about the same exact topic?
And not just once but multiple classes?
I recently had that experience while going through a training at
work. Because they wanted to make sure
that we understood how to use the new program, we went over the concept again,
and again….and again.
I got to the point where I wanted to bang my head against
the desk. If I understood it the first
time, then I understand it the second time…and the third time.
You don’t want to make the reader want to bang their head
against their metaphorical desk.
I recently read a novel that made me feel this way. After finishing, I commented to a friend that
I felt as though it was too slow, but at the same time too fast. It took me awhile to figure out why. The writer focused on the same idea over and
over – which made it feel slow, but skimmed over the new information.
There was a race, or a species that was different from
humans. And every time that a new human
found out about the race, they stopped to explain it to them. By the time the third or fourth human found
out, I was wishing they’d skipped over the conversation. Why?
Because I’d already read it!
I’ve had critique partners tell me the same thing. Never repeat information that your reader already
knows. Even if your character doesn’t
know it.
As the quote says, no unnecessary words, no unnecessary
sentences. After every draft I write, I
do what I call a “quick cut” revision. I
read through the entire draft as fast as I can, deleting every word and phrase
that isn’t necessary to the plot.
Word count is important, but not as important as being
concise. Never lose a reader over trying
to be too verbose.
It's not about what you write - it's about what you cut! I wish I could remember who said that.
ReplyDeleteThe Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley - I remember most of the men had their hair cut short 'in the Roman fashion'. It was interesting to know that once, but every time became annoying.
I love cutting the excess words from my writing. It's so therapeutic.
Thanks for the timely reminder on editing. The book my NaNo WIP is based on does a lot of repetition, because the MC is in denial about someone trying to kill her. In that case, it actually works, but I get frustrated along with the detective trying to get through her stubborn, newly divorced, trying to be independent, argumentative skull.
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