This was a busy week for me. I spent much of it editing in one form or another. Beta reads, critiques, actual editing projects. Even revising some of my own works.
All that editing brought to mind one of my favorite writing quotes, from one of my favorite writers—Dr. Seuss.
I have a tendency to write long. I’m wordy. (I bet that revelation stuns you.) I’ve been participating in WP prompts, writing short fictional pieces to see if I can’t tighten my prose.
It’s been an interesting experiment for me. I love to add detail and color, but sometimes it’s too much. Not necessarily purple prose, but too much. Is it really necessary to know the pencil is yellow and dull and stubby and missing an eraser? If the pencil is a weapon, maybe. But if it’s just a pencil, then probably not.
I’m certainly not claiming to have mastered descriptive writing, but I think I’m getting better at it. And hopefully I’m not making chores for my readers as I practice.
And now, this week’s writing links.
Short Fiction/WP DP Challenge Links
- Saturday | Winter in the Weald
- Sunday | Why Marketers Drink
- Monday | First Case
- Wednesday | A Soothing Cup of Tea
- Thursday | One to Remember
Links to My Posts/Posts on Sites I’m Affiliated With
- Monday | Joan Hall at Story Empire | What’s Stopping You?
- Tuesday | My Blog | Book Review of Hacked by Sue Coletta
- Wednesday | Harmony Kent at Story Empire | Wicked Words
- Thursday | Me at AIW Press | What’s a Writer to Do?
- Friday | Authors at Story Empire | Curated Writing Content
Once again, thanks for visiting. I hope you find these links entertaining and/or useful.
In the meantime, before you go, feel free to weigh in on any of this content down below.
Enjoy your weekend!
I think I have the opposite problem – not enough detail and I usually have to add it in the 2nd or 3rd draft.
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That’s exactly how my sister writes! Editors can help with that.
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Pingback: Writing Links 7/31/17 – Where Genres Collide
I love that quote although it is the opposite of how I write. My description almost nonexistent. Perhaps some day I’ll get the hang of it.
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Here’s another quote for you: Practice makes perfect!
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Wish IO could have read it. Yur choice of font is so small I have to pass it up.
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I’m sorry to hear that. I actually had it set bigger before, and it looked huge, so I knocked it back.
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Fabulous quote! I’ve never come across that one before.
Great thoughts on writing tight.
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I’m a huge Seuss fan. I’ve had that quote in my “about” section of FB for a long time. (Don’t know why; no one reads the about info.) Funny that an author of nonsensical rhyme can write so poignantly. Or maybe it’s not…
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I adore Seuss, always have. It doesn’t surprise me to learn you’e a fan too 🙂
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Doesn’t surprise me, either. 😄
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I think that quote says far more than green ham etc! Should be above every writer’s screen. As soon as I start reading through what I have just written and right up to the final (five, six… ) edit I am paring down my words. Rather like a sculptor chipping away at his block of marble.
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That’s certainly not bad advice for any writer. (Both keeping the quote handy and editing several times.) Thanks so much for commenting!
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this great list of writing links from Staci Troilo’s blog.
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Thanks for the reblog, Don.
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My pleasure.
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Love the quote! 😀
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Thanks. I love Dr. Seuss, and this is one of my all-time favorite quotes (by him or any writer).
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