5 ways to fight the writing flab
Writing to make a more powerful impact means cutting out the writing flab.
And with so many of us focusing just now on ways to shed some excess pounds, the post-Christmas diet seemed like the perfect inspiration for my first podcast of the New Year. (It’s okay, it’s not deadly serious, either about writing or dieting!)
5 ways to cut your writing flab (3 mins 16) suggests a writing diet based on:
- Trimming the fat – cutting out the excess words that might have crept into your writing
- Cutting the stodge – getting rid of the heavy stuff that it’s hard for your readers to get through
- Filling up with nutritious words – plain, simple, everyday words are the best, but make sure they’re also specific, personal, connected to your values and identity
- Using fresh ingredients – a fresh perspective, a curious frame of mind and writing with all your senses
- Snacking sensibly – finding other outlets for your extra words, like a journal, private blog or Twitter account
What else would you include in a diet to beat the writing flab?
I like this, Joanna. Not only do we have to get rid of the handles under our ribs, but we also have to get a good handle on “simplicity beyond complexity.” C.S. Lewis.
Some days I’m really challenges as I read research on the brain and convert it to more everyday language.
You’re talking my language, Joanna! Wouldn’t it be great to be a lean, mean, writing machine? You are spot in putting editing at the top of your list. Question – how much time should a writer spend editing versus writing? A couple random thoughts. I always try to eliminate adjectives. It seems to cut down on word flab. Also, something I picked up from Deb at Punctuality Rules – eliminate the word “that” from your sentences. Great trimming technique.
Robyn, to get a handle on simplicity beyond complexity, now that it something worth striving for. I think blogging helps us process our thoughts to get there too?
As for your own work translating brain science into everyday language – all I can say is that you do a phenomenal job. You also make it human, engaging and humorous – but then I guess you’re using all your intelligences to make it so…?
Joanna
Lean, mean writing machine – Brad, I love it!
How much time editing vs writing… I don’t think there’s an absolute. It depends in part on the purpose wouldn’t you say? For example I don’t think blogs need to be edited as carefully as an article or a report.
It does also depend on your natural writing style – I think I write quite ‘tight’ naturally so (confessions!) don’t spend that long editing in order to cut – maybe I’d need to edit to make sure I hadn’t gone overboard with my dry prose, ending up so crisp that I was breaking rapport…
I guess it all comes down to knowing your writing strengths and weaknesses, and taking responsibility for managing your own work.
Joanna
PS Cutting out “that” sounds like an interesting technique – I suspect I’m a bit guilty of that one, will watch out for it in future…
Joanna, great advice. I’d also add “exercise” to the list. Conditioning your writing muscles is similar to conditioning your body. Exercise becomes habit as you commit to a regular engagement. Muscles become more toned and stronger as you condition. Best of all no gym membership required.
Karen
Joanna, with a bit of inspiration from you here and from others who post a picture on Wednesdays, I decided to give that a go with a bit of difference.
I chose a picture, included a quote by Einstein and then asked my visitors a question.
Now that was paring things down. I’ve had some great responses including yours and now it has prompted me to write another post that builds on this.
One thing leads to another and I keep experimenting as I know you do…
Experimenting leads to adventure and discovery!
Karen, that’s priceless.
Now I’m thinking I’m going to have to include another round up of writing tips this month with all the great suggestions provided by the readers of this blog
Joanna
Robyn, I love the way our words connect like this. I was prompted to respond to your post (when I haven’t always found or made the time to join in some other recent questions) because of the simplicity of the question. It spoke to me very directly.
I guess one of the things we learn as bloggers is to get the balance between offering valuable content – ideas, thoughts, suggestions, learning points – and creating the space for our readers to join in.
Experimenting does indeed lead to adventure and discovery, and as adventure is one of my watch-words for 2008 I’ll be doing more of it!
Joanna
We follow the advice of Louise Brooks: “Writing is 1 percent inspiration, and 99 percent elimination.”
Hi David, that works in some contexts of course, but maybe not in just the same way in writing blog posts and comments, which tend to be more chatty and conversational – if we strip out too much do we risk cutting out the human dimension? In a way that wouldn’t apply say in a newsletter, article or an essay.
Joanna