historylass
sallyduchessLess is More
October 30th 2006 07:28
One of the best things I ever did for my writing was learn to write to a limited word count. Most people use too many words when they write. They ramble and say the same thing twice and use phrases like "much better" or "very wise". Writing to a limited word count forces the writer to find the most economical way of saying something, without losing any of the meaning.
I think it is worthwhile for every writer to try and reduce their writing to a certain word count. It really forces you to look at your writing. By cutting down on the number of words used, your writing will usually be improved.
When looking at ways of cutting down your writing, try considering some of the following:
1. Have you ever used two words when one will do?
2. Have you ever used words that are not necessary?
3. Are your paragraphs structured well?
4. Have you cut out anything that does not add to the story?
5. Do you add sentences in just for the sake of writing them?
6. Are you adding too much information?
7. Can the information you need to get across to the reader be given in a better way?
Here is one example of how a sentence can be reduced in word-count and be improved in the quality of the writing.
"The man, who was very short and very fat, wanted to go across to some strange weird hamburger joint that sold hamburgers because he was really really hanging for a very large hamburger, which cost only $2 in American money."
"The short fat man wanted to go to a strange hamburger joint, because he was hanging for one of their $2 hamburgers."
If you find you have the opposite problem and your writing isn't long enough for your target publication, then don't just add words to try and get the word count up. This usually makes terrible writing. Instead, add different scenes and topics to the story. While doing this, ensure that everything you add will contribute something. If possible, make your story even longer than it needs to be. Then, cut back your words.
I think it is worthwhile for every writer to try and reduce their writing to a certain word count. It really forces you to look at your writing. By cutting down on the number of words used, your writing will usually be improved.
When looking at ways of cutting down your writing, try considering some of the following:
1. Have you ever used two words when one will do?
2. Have you ever used words that are not necessary?
3. Are your paragraphs structured well?
4. Have you cut out anything that does not add to the story?
5. Do you add sentences in just for the sake of writing them?
6. Are you adding too much information?
7. Can the information you need to get across to the reader be given in a better way?
Here is one example of how a sentence can be reduced in word-count and be improved in the quality of the writing.
"The man, who was very short and very fat, wanted to go across to some strange weird hamburger joint that sold hamburgers because he was really really hanging for a very large hamburger, which cost only $2 in American money."
"The short fat man wanted to go to a strange hamburger joint, because he was hanging for one of their $2 hamburgers."
If you find you have the opposite problem and your writing isn't long enough for your target publication, then don't just add words to try and get the word count up. This usually makes terrible writing. Instead, add different scenes and topics to the story. While doing this, ensure that everything you add will contribute something. If possible, make your story even longer than it needs to be. Then, cut back your words.
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Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
We haven't met yet but I just started to read your posts and am enjoying them.
I agree with this writing shorter thing, but you can loose some of the procrastination and ambilivalence that the man is experiencing. It may be his hesitation to cross the road to the hamburger joint that is important. If you cut all the words out, you then have to say it and that contradicts another golden rule of 'show me, don't tell me.' For example, the man was hesitant doesn;t really convey it the way your first paragraph does.
Oh I dunno, just me I guess. My professor always accused me of being locquacious and always knocked good marks of my hard work and I used to wish I could strangle him too and would of... with a smile on my face.. I guess he forced me to be even cleaverer than I thought I was because now I can show and tell in short sentences.
thems the brakes...
I love what you are doing here, keep up the good work,
I'll return ...
Lilla ...
Comment by historylass
The Written Word
History Lass
thanks for your comment. When I wrote the first paragraph, I didn't even consider that the man was hesitant. I guess that's another pitfall of using a lot of words is that you may be conveying something that you don't really mean to convey. Of course, it can also be a good thing. When you use a lot of words you might find yourself seeing something in your character or situation that you didn't know was there.
I had a writing teacher once who told me I could never write a short story where the main character telling the story died. I have now published three short stories where the main character dies. What is it about writing teachers that makes us just want to prove them wrong?