I Can See Clearly Now
The main thing about tightening, according to Rick Steele, Acquisitions Editor for AMG publishing, is clarity.
When we tighten our story, we're not just trying to make the sentences shorter. You may recall commenter Anita claiming that her lushness is wordy. For the most part, I don't agree (sorry, dear friend). Her style of writing is lush, but the purpose of her sentences are clear. Each word adds to the story and to the sensory experience of the reader.
Loose writing is hard to follow. All those extra words, in strange orders, the meaning skipping around, commas everywhere...
Make the sentence clear, make the meaning clear.
What I got from this CD is that the sentence length is not as important as sentence impact.
When you revise and tighten, do you have a certain process, certain words/phrases you look for first? Or do you go sentence by sentence? And how do you feel about my opinion on this? Anything to add?
When we tighten our story, we're not just trying to make the sentences shorter. You may recall commenter Anita claiming that her lushness is wordy. For the most part, I don't agree (sorry, dear friend). Her style of writing is lush, but the purpose of her sentences are clear. Each word adds to the story and to the sensory experience of the reader.
Loose writing is hard to follow. All those extra words, in strange orders, the meaning skipping around, commas everywhere...
Make the sentence clear, make the meaning clear.
What I got from this CD is that the sentence length is not as important as sentence impact.
When you revise and tighten, do you have a certain process, certain words/phrases you look for first? Or do you go sentence by sentence? And how do you feel about my opinion on this? Anything to add?
Comments
Thanks, Jessica!
I have been saying this to my kids when they are working on some form of writing for school. They ask if I think they should make the paper longer and I tell them to say what they need to say - that adding words just to increase the length is not going to improve the paper.
That sounds like an efficient process to me. I don't think I've looked for -ly words enough. Thanks for the comment!
I like that idea too. Not that I always put it into action, but it seems like each word having a purpose would give more meaning.
When I revise I look to have in almost every scene what the character is seeing, hearing, tasting, touching.
(P.S. Jessica, Amazon is saying all the people that preordered a copy of Surrender the Wind will be getting theirs in the mail by July 21!)
It's a great reminder - we need to use words that will make our writing clear and vivid for our readers.
Words I look for: she felt, he watched, she saw, he looked, etc. Those are all words that distance the reader.
But do I have to be depressed to eat ice cream out of the carton? That's a regular thing with me. LOL! (I know what you meant though, and they were great examples)
I saw your post about the books going out! I can't wait!!!
For me, it can be the physical act of going through the sentences, looking for technical ways to make it better, but I prefer listening, and going with what feels right to my writer's voice.
I'm going to pop by and read that. For some reason I thought I was following you, but since I haven't seen that post, I guess I'm not. Hmmm....
You would never look like an idiot! Big words are fun, but like you said, we have to be careful with them. Make sure they fit, etc.
I always loved how Anne of Green Gables adored big words. :-)
You're so right! Listening plays a huge part. I've heard tons of writers/authors recommend reading our work out loud. I've even heard an author recommend buying voice software that can read your sentences with no inflection. According to the author, you can really hear weird stuff then.
When I start tightening, I usually go sentence by sentence and read for clarity and continuity of thoughts/scenes. It's so easy--especially in first drafts when our writing is kind of stream of consciousness--to overlook thoughts that might feel perfectly coherent to us, but aren't portrayed in a logical way for the reader.
That's why we have to put on our reader's hat while in revision land, and make sure all of our thoughts come across like we meant for them to. Powerful and proactive sentences move the story forward. They don't bring it to a screeching halt while the reader tries to connect the dots in our loose or overly complex prose.
That said ... is it just me, or does it feel like we authors have to be somewhat psychic--attuned to all of our readers' different mindsets so we can assure everyone understands what we're trying to portray at all times?
Sheesh. Writing is hard. But what a payoff, to bring life to what was once nothing more than a few disjointed letters. :-)
Great thoughts!
Then I have someone read it and ask them if they get it/their interpetation of what I wrote. It's often a surprise what they think I said and what I meant to say! And then it's back to the editing again!
What I got from this CD is that the sentence length is not as important as sentence impact"
I need to remember this quote!
That happens to me too. One word I think is particularly tricky is "it". When we're writing, we know what "it" means, but when reading sometimes the meaning is not clear.
I hope I remember it too! LOL
I like how you said one verb to fit two words. Very smart of you.
I agree that each word needs to earn their place. It can sure make editing a tedious process though.
Thanks for stopping by and adding to the great advice. :-)
When I edit, I go sentence by sentence, taking out unnecessary words that detract rather than add to the meaning. I also read aloud, to hear the cadence, looking for alliterations or words that sound odd or out of place. Lastly,I pray for just the right word or phrase, telling the Lord that I love the people I'm writing for and want to help them see Him clearer.
Jen
Well I'm impressed how you pray when you write. I don't do that as much as probably should.
But I do try to chop out filler words so that my actual sentences get to the point quicker.
I really like what you said about sentence length not necessarily mattering - especially because I write lots of long sentences;)
I go line by line by line when I edit. >.<
I like the emphasis on clarity, clarity, clarity.
Thank you for stopping by!
"it" is my word. LOL But I've been know to abuse "that". Funny about the adverbs. Sometimes they're okay, but it's good you know to catch them.
Having problems with the comment button? LOL!
Great comment!
Yeah, I'd never even thought of clarity really, until I listened to this cd.
Hi Deb,
Thanks for stopping by! :-)
My problem is this,I don't see certain things until someone points them out. No matter how many times I rake through my story. Then I think, why didn't I see this before?
I want to get to a point where I see these things on my own. But will I ever? To be continued. Great post. Thanks for sharing. :)
Before you put me on a pedestal, don't.
This is my typical prayer: "Help! Please!" It takes around 4.5 seconds. God is so faithful, even when we are in a hurry.
Blessings,
Jen
There are things I don't see either. That's why crit partners are so helpful. Don't feel bad, it happens to all of us. :-) Thus the job of an editor. LOL!
I have to take you down? LOL Still, I could do to remember God when I write. He's always a main character in my stories anyway. LOL
Great post, as always, Jessica!
Genny
I write differently here too. Great words to look for! I recently found myself really overusing "just".
I recently went through my book sentence by sentence. If I have to re-read a sentence to understand it, it gets an overhaul.
I watch for typos, plot holes, POV, melodrama, characters acting more like me than themselves, and other things. I'm glad that edit is finished. For now.
Meanwhile, I hear the main character of Book 2 clamoring for my attention. So demanding.
Blessings,
Susan
:-) Is book 2 completely different or part of a series?