Writing Lean Prose

When it comes to good descriptive writing, less is more. This may seem counterintuitive because we tend to think that describing something requires an abundance of detail. However, the overuse of descriptors actually weakens your writing. Readers tend to get lost if they have to wade through dense, descriptive passages. They also become bored if nothing is left to the imagination. Giving readers just enough description to get the image across creates more exciting prose and keeps readers interested and active in the reading process. Lean description requires writers to choose words that have maximum effectiveness and eliminates the tendency to use repetitive or filler words. It also eliminates tedious writing that leaves readers exasperated and stumbling over awkward passages. When editing your drafts, look for areas with excessive adjectives and adverbs as these will be where over-description occurs. Remove most of these descriptors and keep only those that carry the most impact - those that go directly to the heart of the image you want to create in readers' minds. This kind of tight, powerful writing shows mastery over language that your readers will find both engaging and satisfying.