New writers are often chided about avoiding the use of too many modifiers, cliches or passive constructions. They’re also directed to Strunk & White’s Elements of Style, warned about dangling participles and homophones. All good information, stuff every writer must learn. Yet for me, editing begins with story and structure. If these elements are weak or unbelievable, the rest of the editing rules don’t matter.
There are only two kinds of writing:
Writing that works and writing that needs work.
Writing Tip for Today: Always write the first “crummy draft” of a manuscript without allowing your inner editor to emerge–not even one peep. The sh**** first draft Anne Lamott writes of is a valuable way to evaluate the story and structure. Let that draft gestate or “cool” for a while–say a week or longer. When you revisit the manuscript, the emotional part of you which crafted the draft will allow that inner editor to speak up loud and clear,–literally. Read your work aloud, if only to yourself. You’ll be amazed at how differently your writing sounds aloud as compared with silent reading. This method shows you which parts of your story “work,” and which areas “need work.” Don’t believe it? Give it a try.
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