As writers, we all want to put forth our best efforts whenever we commit our words to print. Creativity in developing interesting and exciting characters, dialogue, and storylines is essential—and no easy task when writing for a large and diverse audience. Although it isn't usually possible to write something that appeals to all readers, it is possible (and necessary) to write stories that are well crafted and polished.
When submitting writing for publication, it is likely that the first 1000 words will determine whether your story will be considered or thrown onto the reject pile, where realistically, 9 out of 10 submissions end up. I don't say this to be discouraging, but rather to emphasize the importance of looking at your writing with a truly critical eye.
Choosing Words and Writing Great Sentences and Paragraphs
Never was the KISS principle (keep it simple, stupid) more appropriate than in writing. Less really is more when it comes to writing. Just like those TV shows that help people reorganize their homes by forcing them to dispose of unnecessary items, you must take a similar approach with your written words.
The main focus in any story should be to tell a riveting tale that is easily understood—not to try to impress your readers with your vocabulary or your ability to create the world's longest sentence. Obscure words and too many lengthy sentences can lead to a lack of reader comprehension. If a reader stumbles over your sentences or must repeatedly refer to a dictionary as they read, chances are good that they'll lose interest—quickly. If this is their first impression of your writing, it may also be their last.
Keep to a single topic in writing paragraphs and vary the length of the sentences to make them more readable. While the goal is always to keep writing simple, that does not mean that all sentences should be short and choppy. Vary the length and format of your writing to create a flow to your words. I recommend reading your writing out loud to help determine if you have hit the right balance. Some writers find that recording their words for later review is quite helpful in the editing process.
Think of your favorite authors and why you enjoy their writing. Plot and characters are always important, but think about the writing itself. Does it flow as you read or do you find yourself stopping to reread sentences because they're unclear? Is the vocabulary easily understandable? Do you find yourself skipping whole sections or are you riveted to the action as you turn each page?
I would encourage every writer to take a piece they've written (or a few paragraphs) and try to improve its clarity and readability by applying the less is more principle. Afterwards, compare it to the original piece and see if the writing sounds tighter, clearer. Editing can make a big difference in the marketability of a story, and it's a great way to increase your chances of finding an audience for your writing.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on self-editing and what you find to be particularly helpful or difficult. As always, I look forward to your submissions.
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Comments: 29 ( 1 removed by Nancy L. )
Less is more. Great advice. In newspapers, i would write my story, beginning with a lede. After I finished, I cut it in half, and had a new lede.
Hi, Kathryn.
I think some writers really struggle to make those cuts, but I'm sure you realized how much stronger they made your writing.
I am learning to edit, but have to wait some time before I take a second look at a poem. Every line feels like a child. lol Thanks, Nancy!
Hi, Jennifer.
I think these rules apply more to fiction writing than poetry, but certainly to poetry to some degree. There is more uncertainty in poetry and I know you have expressed your pleasure with readers who interpret your poems differently. That can be more of a problem with fiction writing, when it leads the reader astray and they become confused.
Less IS more, but take care not be be inhibited by the inner-editor. I struggle with that guy.
I once read that Hemmingway didn't read like Hemmingway until the fifth draft.
Hi, Greg.
I have a difficult time trying not to edit as I write.
I think the writing should come first and then the editing, unless the editing helps get a derailed story back on track.
I'm not really surprised by that Hemmingway story and I also heard that "To Kill A Mockingbird" was heavily edited to end up with the classic we love today.
I wonder why Harper Lee never published another novel beyond "To Kill a Mockingbird".
I guess my biggest problem lies with wordiness and the desire to show off what I learned while researching. These descriptions tend to clog the readers highway and I have to really work to keep my mind from typing aimlessly.
I heard , "Your first ten words are more important than your next ten thousand. Choose them wisely."
Hi, David.
Yes, that can be a writer's trap. Long, detailed narrative, however well written, can destroy an otherwise good story. The question to ask yourself while writing (and editing) is: Does this advance the story? If not, better to abbreviate it or leave it out completely. Otherwise, that's when many readers will start skipping pages or stop reading.
Reading my work -- particularly dialogue -- out loud is SO helpful to me; I recommend it for everyone else.
Learning to cut unnecessary text is a long, hard, painful process. *sniffle*
Hi, Tracy.
I agree; reading out loud really helps. I have had to edit some dialogue that was really poorly written, and I'm sure if it had been read aloud by the author, they would have realized it needed work.
Cutting painstakingly crafted words can be difficult, but it really improves the overall writing.
Hi,Tony.
It's great to hear that you find it helpful to read aloud. Another technique is to have a trusted friend or critique partner read it aloud and take notice of areas that sound less than desirable or anywhere they might stumble over your words.
I'm not trying to pressure you or anyone to share their writing. These are just ideas for anyone reading this post and thinking about different options.
A great topic and well-written, thank you. I mostly write poetry and find editing it next to impossible. I have this soulful feeling that if I change even a wee word that I will change the feeling I had when I wrote it.
Example: My poem, Dogwood Dreams, has been critiqued to near death numerous times. I've not changed a word from the moment is was penned and in all probability never will.
Note: I just posted Dogwood Dreams to my profile...http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977734197
Hi, Ruth.
As I replied to Jennifer above, I think poetry is somewhat different than fiction when it comes to editing, but as with any form of writing, review of the written words can lead to significant improvement of the piece.
Since I am deaf and can't hear the stories to be read aloud I prefer my stories to have details about the characters but not about the background. I rarely write stories as I lean toward writing my stories in a poetic way.
I have read stories that are written by the deaf, and I always find them very well written, because they are in touch with the words even though they can't hear. I feel words more than a lot of hearing people do, because I see them.
I rarely edit my writings, because I consider them as if they are my babies. When I write something today I can not change anything until many months later, and then I still can't.
I notice when some hearing people talk they like to hear themselves talk. Same with the writers. They think the more words they use the better their stories sound. When a deaf person who signs he uses pictureque words which are more or less like shortcuts.
It is up to a writer to decide about his or her writings, and it is up to us to make a choice to read them or not. I think a lot of people are out for money, and others are interested in showing us the world that they see, feel or dream of.
Hi, T.W. You obviously bring up a point I had not considered. Do you belong to a writer's group or have a trusted critique partner? Those would be good options for anyone who cannot hear their stories read. I understand your point about sign language being a more concise form of communication. Still, I think all writers, even well established ones, should rely on editing to tighten their writing and polish it for their intended audience. I am sure even the most famous of authors are not exempt from editing before publication. If we want to continually improve our writing, we have to be sensitive to the reality that there is probably no such thing as a perfect first draft.
Yes, I am in several writing groups at one site, and I read somewhere that it took this famous writer (I don't remember who) many years before he finally had his book published. So I am well aware of the cold facts that we the writers face, but some of us are too sensitive to criticism. Sometimes we need to understand and be more careful of criticizing the writings. Some people just like to cut the stories apart and spit them out at the writer for the fun of it.
As for me I write to express myself. I am not out to sell my writings. I write to let my feelings be known and felt. When and if I ever become serious about selling my writings I will have to trust my friends to correct my grammar and etc. Even though I write well (grammar wise) I know I don't write perfectly. But for now I just enjoy writing.
In my opinion, there is a definite method to providing a thoughtful, helpful critique. I wrote a post on it a while back, and included what I thought were sensible guidelines from Writer's Digest. The first rule is to always start out with a positive statement about what is right with the piece, not what needs improvement. They also recommend avoiding mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation) corrections as part of the critique, and concentrate on the writing itself. Not everyone in a writing group is prepared to give that kind of critique, and it can be very frustrating to be on the receiving end of one that is too negatively focused.
I view the self-edit as a precursor to submitting work to an agent, before critique in a writing group, or before publishing, whether it is self-publishing, or publishing online.
Just to be clear, there is no such thing as "perfect" writing, and no amount of editing will ever make any writing perfect. It's just a way to polish your writing, and it's a skill that improves the more it's practiced.
I think all writers must do what they feel is best for them. My suggestions are based on my experience and what I've learned from other writers and writing classes.
(Accidentally deleted comment from Mustafa Demiri)
This is another great article; Thank you, Nancy. It brings to mind the comparison people have been making for many year between the ver elabourate works of William Faulkner to brief, no nonsense stylings of Earnest Hemmingway. You can't help but appreciate both, really.
Hi, Mustafa!
Good point about Faulkner vs. Hemmingway. They were almost polar opposites regarding sentence length and complexity. Did you know that there is one sentence in the story "The Bear" by Faulkner that goes on for 35 pages?
Personally, I prefer shorter, more direct sentences peppered with longer ones. I like to fill in the blanks with my own imagery instead of having it spelled out (literally) so completely.
That 35 page sentence sounds vaguely familiar. I've never read that story, but now that you mention it, it's going to be the very next thing that I will read. I've read a little from both Faulkner and Hemmingway, and I honestly enjoy both.
As far as the rest of your article goes, concerning self editing; I think the best thing a writer can do( once he or she has polished it to the point where it looks perfect) is to put it away for a week or two, and read the manuscript over again with a fresh eye, half pretending it's something someone else had written. I use this method and it is what works best for me, anyway.
Focusing on interesting verbs really helps. I tend to over due linking verbs.
I'm curious. For those of you who blog, how much time due you spend editing your blogs? I just started blogging in June. On the one hand, I want to represent my writing ability well. On the other hand, blogging is more conversational than craft. If I worry too much about perfection, then I won't get my content out through that medium.
Any thoughts?
Uhh. Well, I could have at least proof read my own comment! Try, "how much time DO you spend editing..." Oh the irony!
Uhh, that's proofread. OK. Time for bed!
I absolutely love what you've said about the critique and that's also what I've learned through two writing courses. State at least one positive thing first, or you're apt to send the poor person who's trying to write, (for perhaps the first time) running away.
Edit and revision are two things I'm very familiar with, as well as reading out loud. Good points, Nancy.
Marilyn
I know the concept of critique is somewhat controversial, as some people believe that every writer should be willing to take criticism or not share their work.
I think part of the problem is that not everyone agrees on what constitutes a critique, and not all writers, especially newbies, have practiced doing it enough to be able to provide a useful one. Often they focus on spelling and grammatical errors which are not really part of a critique- they are copy editing.
Since this forum is neither a formal writers group nor a writing class and consists of a full range of writers from total newbies to published writers, I think it's okay for someone to share their work without necessitating a critique. However, if someone wants to receive feedback in this forum, they must be expect that it won't typically follow a more traditional critique format.
I think this is an area that is less applicable to poetry. That is not to say that poetry cannot be fine-tuned, as with any writing, but excessive wordiness is typically not a problem with poetry.
I hope you will submit your poetry on Gather, and I look forward to reading it.