So, I’m about to lend out ‘Fallen Ashes’ to some beta readers, to (hopefully) enter the final steps of revision. As I went back through my manuscript today, I realized I had cut almost 10,000 words with this last revision. The crazy thing is, I didn’t take out any major scenes! In fact, I added or extended a few. Yet, I lost almost a tenth of the story?
Well…. I’m here to say, that’s actually a good thing!
You see, my friends, I’m wordy. Wordy, wordy, wordy, wordy! I like to talk (oh yes I do) and when I write, I write like I talk!
I’ll never forget handing a (very) early copy of a manuscript to a friend to read through for me. Her only criticism was, “Well… it’s very descriptive.” Hrrmmm… I had no clue if that was a compliment or not!
Looking back, I’m glad she said it. It’s helped me to become better at what I do.
You see, I have this problem with being redundant. Not just with my writing, but when I talk, too. So, when I’m revising, it’s tough for me to analyze a sentence and ask, ‘Have I said too much?’ or ‘What can I assume the reader will know?’ But it’s what I need to do, it’s what will make my writing easier to read.
So, I cut. I cut and cut and hopefully make the flow of my work all the better for it.
We’ll see 😉
Until then, my mantra is “Less is More”.
How about you? Are you a writer who lives by the ‘less is more’ mantra? As a reader, do you prefer overly descriptive authors, or those who get right to the point? Feel free to leave a comment below!
Happy Reading, friends!
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I am in the same boat–getting ready to send my manuscript out to a couple of beta readers just before my final revision. You’re probably excited and nervous. I know I am.
Agreed! Scary to let those first few people read it, but also can’t wait to get that feedback! Best of luck to you! 🙂