I am a revision addict. To me, revision is like choreography: moving ideas and even words around until every movement is in the right spot, every line just so. On ice, I love working with a coach because of the additional energy and skill another person contributes. I'm upping my writing today with William Zinsser's On Writing Well. Though it's a guide for nonfiction, it applies across genres and its “mini-lesson” format makes it perfect for pre-writing exercises.
In the “Clutter” section, Zinsser says, “Examine every word you put down on paper. You'll find a surprising number that don't serve any purpose” (12). Don't write that someone smiles happily. Replace phrases like “at this point in time” with “now.” He suggests examining your work and bracketing unnecessary words. (If you don't see any, I suggest checking someone else's work and then returning to yours.) I tried this technique on today's post. Below is my original draft with brackets:
I am a revision addict. {Honest truth. I love to revise.} To me, revision is like choreography: moving ideas and even words around until every movement is in {just} the right spot, every line just so. On ice, I love working with a coach and the additional energy that another person {brings to the process}. {Craft books can be great writing coaches and right now I'm enjoying} William Zinsser's On Writing Well. Zinsser's book is {technically} a guide to writing nonfiction but {much of good writing is good writing regardless of} genre. {What I especially love about this book is its format.} The “lessons” {are broken into small chunks, perfectly sized to spend a few minutes reading} and {then hone in on that area} in my writing that day.
Today I read the section {titled} “Clutter.” {The essence of this lesson is the old adage to K.I.S.S., or Keep It Simple, Stupid.} Zinsser {encourages writers to} “Examine every word you put down on paper. You'll find a surprising number that don't serve any purpose” (Zinsser 12). {For example,} “at this point in time” {should be} replaced with “now.” {You} don't {need to} say that someone smiles happily {or that a skyscraper is tall.} Zinsser suggests {looking through} your writing and {putting} brackets {around} unnecessary words. (If you {have a hard time seeing} any {in your own work}, you {might try looking at} someone else's first and then {moving on} to your own.) {Read on to see how} I {gave} this technique {a} try in this {very blog} post. Below is my original draft with brackets {added everywhere!}
Thank you, William Zinsser, for the inspiration!
In the “Clutter” section, Zinsser says, “Examine every word you put down on paper. You'll find a surprising number that don't serve any purpose” (12). Don't write that someone smiles happily. Replace phrases like “at this point in time” with “now.” He suggests examining your work and bracketing unnecessary words. (If you don't see any, I suggest checking someone else's work and then returning to yours.) I tried this technique on today's post. Below is my original draft with brackets:
I am a revision addict. {Honest truth. I love to revise.} To me, revision is like choreography: moving ideas and even words around until every movement is in {just} the right spot, every line just so. On ice, I love working with a coach and the additional energy that another person {brings to the process}. {Craft books can be great writing coaches and right now I'm enjoying} William Zinsser's On Writing Well. Zinsser's book is {technically} a guide to writing nonfiction but {much of good writing is good writing regardless of} genre. {What I especially love about this book is its format.} The “lessons” {are broken into small chunks, perfectly sized to spend a few minutes reading} and {then hone in on that area} in my writing that day.
Today I read the section {titled} “Clutter.” {The essence of this lesson is the old adage to K.I.S.S., or Keep It Simple, Stupid.} Zinsser {encourages writers to} “Examine every word you put down on paper. You'll find a surprising number that don't serve any purpose” (Zinsser 12). {For example,} “at this point in time” {should be} replaced with “now.” {You} don't {need to} say that someone smiles happily {or that a skyscraper is tall.} Zinsser suggests {looking through} your writing and {putting} brackets {around} unnecessary words. (If you {have a hard time seeing} any {in your own work}, you {might try looking at} someone else's first and then {moving on} to your own.) {Read on to see how} I {gave} this technique {a} try in this {very blog} post. Below is my original draft with brackets {added everywhere!}
Thank you, William Zinsser, for the inspiration!
Your writing is a garden...
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...don't let it get overgrown by weeds!
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