Editing can be overwhelming for most writers. Where do you even start? The first step is trim all the excess with some quick, easy edits.
Often what gets in the way of a good story boils down to two things, excess and vagueness.
There’ a a lot of excess you can cut right off the bat, and from there, make each sentence more precise and vivid.
In this episode, you’ll learn 5 quick edits you can do right now to give you more clarity, and a stronger, more riveting story.
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Episode at a glance:
[02:03] When should you edit?
Often we’re advised not to edit until we finish the first draft. I agree that you don’t need to make structural changes. Or edit as you go. But you can make changes on the sentence level at any stage. A good strategy is to go over the last day’s work, choose one paragraph or scene, and start sculpting your sentences. This is effective because it encourages you to pay attention to and probe what it is you’re trying to express.
[04:37] Perceptual Words
I saw, he noticed she thought, I heard, felt, tasted, smelled, remembered, etc. You can cut these right off the top to strengthen your story. We’ll assume your character is seeing what’s being described, hearing what or who is nearby, smelling the odors, and recalling the past.
[06:47] Mundane dialogue
Cut the mundane throat clearing, like “Hi, how are you?” Yes, we normally do start conversations like that, but it has no place in your story. Instead, get to the heart of the conversation sooner.
[08:50] Mundane Details
No need to have your characters get dressed, feed the cat, get into the car, drive along the highway, get out, take the elevator, walk into the office, etc. That’s sure to snooze your reader. And it makes it harder for you to wade through your story during revision.
[10:51] Static Verbs
Static verbs are those weak to-be verbs: was, were, is, am, are, would have, had been. Novice writers tend to lean on those, especially is and was.You can’t cut them completely, but you can minimize them. Rewrite your sentences, and replace weak verbs with dynamic verbs. This will create a more tactile and visual experience for your reader.
[18:08] Adverbs
Often adverbs prop up weak verbs or adjectives and describe poorly. For example, she shouted angrily. These are words you can easily cut. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Shiloh and Other Stories by Bobbie Ann Mason
A Home at the End of the World by Michael Cunningham
One Day by David Nicholls
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