Write Better By Cutting Words

Writers write words. Lots of words. Sometimes too many words. The contest rules decree no more than 1200 words. An editor says Give me 800 words. A call for submissions asks for 1000 or 1500 or less.

When we see a call for submissions or contest guidelines, we're not thinking about the word count as much as we are about the words that count. Many writers run with the idea of the story they want to write, keeping word count in mind but far back in their mind. When they're finally done with the first draft, revising and editing, they check the word count. Oh-oh! Over. Way over! Time to get your writer's sword and start slashing.

A woman in my writing group often prefaces her subs by saying something like "I'm 200 words over the count." Those who critique the sub can cut and slash to help her make the right number of words.

Stephen King tells us to cut our story to the bare essentials, no matter how it hurts. I'm a firm believer that less is more in this case because you're going to end up with a better piece of writing. No fluff that detracts from the main idea.

How do we cut those words that, once in print on the screen or paper, belong to us? We are the possessor and the creator. How can we even think of dumping a whole lot of them? We can and sometimes we must. Go through the list below to find ways to slash and cut.

1. Look for redundancy: We often write two sentences that say basically the same thing with different words to make a point. We want the reader to be sure to 'get it.' Instead, they might be a bit miffed that you, the writer, didn't give them enough credit for 'getting it' in the first place.

2. Strike unnecessary words: Words, or phrases, like really, very, just, only, in other words, for the most part, do not add anything to your sentence. They tend to clutter what could be a perfectly good sentence on its own. Simple is best in all things.

3. Stop hammering a point: Make your point and then move on. Don't overstate your case. This falls under redundancy but I've seen writers who write an entire paragraph about one thing, then write another. Say it once and move on. Similar to redundancy but all its own, as well.

4. Overuse of adjectives: Newer writers tend to do this. They want to bring an image to the reader but tossing a bunch of adjectives into the air and letting them land wherever is not the best way. Too many adjectives to describe one poor little noun makes for overwriting in a big way.

5. Too many adverbs: Adverbs modify verbs. Writers sometimes think that using them on a regular basis helps them show the reader what is happening. An occasional adverb is alright but use them too often and the reader becomes tired. Besides, that adverb is not showing, it's telling.

6. Get rid of the superfluous:  A wise editor I once knew hammered this point with her students. She taught that anything that does not move the story along should be dumped. Every single sentence should have a reason to be in your story. If it doesn't, slash it. We all tend to add these little extras that really have no bearing on the story action. We like them but they become distracting.

There are more ways to cut your first drafts and to tighten your writing but the ones above are enough to consider for now. If you can work on these six, you'll find that your writing has moved to a new level. Henry Thoreau once said that writing a piece shorter will take a long time. You come out a winner in the end if you heed his advice.