Less Is More

Less is often more in writing. Economy of words can sometimes be a writer's greatest asset. This is particularly so when writing description. It is natural to think that, when describing something, using lots of adjectives and adverbs will make the description better. However, the opposite is true. Description that is overladen with descriptors can be burdensome, clumsy, even confusing to readers. It's simply too much work for readers to plow through and trip over all those fancy, descriptive words. It is much better to describe with as few adjectives and adverbs as possible. This requires choosing descriptors with care, selecting the most precise words that pack the biggest punch. Writing in this way will result in cleaner, leaner descriptive passages that will be easier for readers to read through. It will also result in description that readers will find easier to visualize and relate to. Using sparse description to convey a powerful image is the mark of an effective writer. This is because, when a "less is more" writer describes, readers pay attention. They know that every word counts with this writer and nothing is left in that doesn't contribute in some critical way to the story. So readers hang on every word, as the saying goes. Writing more with less is the hallmark of writing talent and something every writer would do well to strive for.

Read to Write

Reading is just as important to writing as writing itself. In fact, we learn more about writing when we read than we do when we write. This is because it's easier to see what works well and what doesn't work well in someone else's writing. We are often blind to these things in our own writing because we're too close to it. When reading, we have cognitive distance that allows us to scrutinize with an objective mind. We know what resonates with us when we read and what leaves us feeling flat. But trying to get a sense of that in our own writing is much harder. It's absolutely critical that writers be prolific readers. By being exposed to a vast variety of styles, voices and genres, we are able to find where we belong in the literary world. We can see what motivates us to write and what doesn't. We come to understand what we can add to the body of existing literature and how we can contribute uniquely to it. A poor reader cannot become a good writer. The two are inextricably intertwined and the best training ground for writing is prolific reading. If you are stuck in a writing project and can't seem to move forward, put it down and pick up something to read. The reading, in time, will inspire you, will open you up, and you will be back into your writing with renewed vigor. Reading gives us the juice to write. Make sure you read as much as you write and the two will blend into a profitable writing life.