The Chopping Block: How to Cull Word Count Without Sacrificing Quality
During the struggle of writing a novel, there is a delicate balance between richness and conciseness. In this blog post, we'll delve into the art of trimming excess words from your writing without compromising its essence.
Understand Your Audience: Before you embark on a word-cutting expedition, consider your audience. Different readerships have different preferences. Academic audiences may appreciate depth, while online readers often favour brevity and clarity. Tailoring your word count to your audience is the first step in effective culling.
Identify Redundancies: Redundancies are the low-hanging fruit when it comes to culling words. Words and phrases that convey the same meaning weaken your writing and bog it down. Weed them out mercilessly, and your prose will thank you.
Example: "Close proximity" can be simply "proximity."
Kill the Adverbs and Adjectives: While descriptive language is crucial, an overabundance of adverbs and adjectives can weigh down your writing. Opt for strong, specific verbs and nouns to convey your message without relying on modifiers.
Example: Instead of "quickly ran," use "sprinted."
Streamline Sentences: Complex sentences have their place, but too many can make your writing dense. Break down long sentences into shorter, punchier ones to improve readability.
Example: "Despite the rain pouring down, she decided to go for a run" becomes "She ran despite the pouring rain."
Eliminate Filler Words: Words like "very," "really," and "just" often add little value. Be ruthless in identifying and eliminating these filler words to tighten your prose. Keep a list of such words and run a search on them during the editing stage; in most cases you’ll find you can completely do away with them without changing the meaning.
Example: "She was very excited" can be "She was thrilled."
Consolidate Ideas: Sometimes, we tend to overexplain or repeat ourselves. Look for opportunities to merge similar ideas or condense repetitive information.
Example: Instead of three separate sentences about a character's determination, consolidate them into one impactful statement.
Use Active Voice: Passive voice can inflate word count and weaken impact. Opt for active voice to convey your message more directly and efficiently.
Example: Change "The cake was baked by Mary" to "Mary baked the cake."
Employ the "Cut 10%" Rule: As a general guideline, consider cutting at least 10% of your initial word count. This forces you to evaluate each word's necessity and ensures a leaner, more impactful final product.
Conclusion: less is often more when it comes to writing. The process of culling words may initially feel like parting with cherished creations, but in reality, it's sculpting your prose into its most potent form. So, embrace The Chopping Block, and watch your words soar with newfound clarity. Happy editing!
