In my years of writing and editing experience, I’ve noticed that new writers tend to let their ideas flow like an untamed river. They get the release of seeing their thoughts realized on the page, but they risk inundating readers with words – some of which are the story while some, well, aren’t.
How can authors focus their writing to maximize clarity, pacing, and overall effectiveness?
Enter the often neglected art of word economy: the skillful use of concise and purposeful language to convey the heart of a story or idea.
Whether you’re a fiction writer crafting a gripping tale or a nonfiction author conveying complex concepts, mastering word economy can elevate your writing to new heights.
Let me show you how.
Brevity is the Soul of Impact
When it comes to writing, brevity is not just a virtue; it is an essential component of powerful storytelling. By employing word economy, writers have the ability to captivate their readers by distilling their narratives down to their core elements. As the adage goes, “Less is more.” By eliminating unnecessary words and crafting concise sentences, writers can create a sense of immediacy and that resonates with their audience.
The Art of Subtext
Word economy in fiction goes beyond just trimming excess verbiage. It is a delicate dance of revealing the unsaid and engaging the reader’s imagination.
Strategic word choice can point to hidden layers of meaning beneath the surface. So by carefully selecting each word, you can communicate volumes of information in a single sentence. This approach not only adds depth to characters and relationships but also invites active reader participation, making the story more immersive and rewarding.
Nonfiction: Clarity through Simplicity
While fiction thrives on evoking emotions by painting vivid imagery, nonfiction writing demands even more clarity and precision. By employing concise language, nonfiction writers can communicate complex ideas without overwhelming their readers. Stripping away extraneous words and maintaining a clear chain of reasoning allows readers to grasp intricate ideas with ease, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Embracing Constraints
Word economy is not a constraint to be feared but a challenge to be embraced. By viewing it as an opportunity to elevate your craft, you can push your creative boundaries. Instead of drowning in a flood of words, your readers will swim with a steady flow of prose that takes them where you want them to go. Embracing word economy lets you refine your style, hone your voice, and deliver stories and ideas that linger in readers’ hearts and minds.
Show, Don’t Tell
This blog’s diehard readers know I’m a big supporter of the age-old writing advice “Show, don’t tell.” That maxim is even more vital when it comes to word economy. Rather than telling readers what characters feel, think, or perceive, skilled writers use concise language to show those reactions vividly. Choose descriptive details with care and use evocative imagery to immerse readers in the story. That way, they participate in weaving the narrative and experience it on a deeper level.
Maintaining Rhythm and Pace
Word economy meshes with the rhythm and pace of writing. By using concise language, you can foster a natural flow that propels the reader forward.Β Streamlined sentences, sharp dialogue, and dynamic words quicken the story’s pulse, keeping readers turning pages.
Word Power Levels
The secret to writing with economy is knowing the power level of each word.
Here’s a quick rundown:
- Strong verb > weak verb + adverb
- Strong noun > weak noun + adjective
- Avoid -ly adverbs as much as possible
- “The X’s Y” instead of “The Y of the X”
- Limit your use of participle phrases: “When is dinner?” Bob asked, feeling his stomach rumble. < Bob’s stomach rumbled. “When is dinner?” he asked.
- Drop dialogue tags when you have attributed action: Bob’s stomach rumbled. “When is dinner?” he asked. < Bob’s stomach rumbled. “When is dinner?”
By choosing impactful words and eliminating redundancies, you will create memorable phrases and poignant moments that linger in readers’ minds.
Evoking Emotions with Precision
Emotions are the heart and soul of storytelling, and word economy allows writers to evoke them with precision. By choosing words that carry emotional weight and stripping away excessive modifiers, you can inspire literary bliss and deliver verbal gut punches. The written word can elicit joy, sorrow, or fear like no other medium, forging a deep bond between story and reader.
The Essence of Style
Word economy is not just a technical skill; it is a reflection of a writer’s unique style. Each writer possesses a distinct voice, and mastering word economy lets your voice ring from every page. Through concise language, you can develop a style that’s lean, impactful, and recognizable as yours alone. Your unique economy of words becomes a signature that sets your writing apart and attracts readers.
The Impact of Editing
The key to perfect word economy is the editing process. Writers must approach their work with a critical eye, aware of the power each word holds. A judicious edit can transform a paragraph from mundane to mesmerizing, from confusing to crystal clear. By asking why each sentence is necessary and weighing each word, authors can refine their prose, ensuring that every paragraph, sentence, and word serves a purpose.
Yet it’s no secret that for authors, giving objective criticism of their own books is like impartially evaluating their children. To understand how readers will receive your work, you need an informed third-party with enough professional distance to give an honest opinion. That’s where my editing services come in. For help realizing the best version of your book, get in touch now.
In conclusion, word economy is a fundamental aspect of fiction and nonfiction writing. By embracing the power of concise language, you can elevate your storytelling, engage readers on a deeper level, and leave a lasting impression.
Word economy is a powerful tool that every writer should master. The precise and purposeful use of language can transform a work from average to extraordinary. So harness the art of brevity to evoke profound emotions and communicate complex ideas with clarity.
Doing so will make your work stand out from the competition and give it a head start right out of the gate.
For an example of economical writing crafted to drive a white-knuckle narrative, read my pulse-pounding mech thriller:
This premise can also be used in visual art. I remember watching some videos on how to make graphic novels and they explained the idea that if you can consolidate panels to better tell your story or action sequence, do it.
The example they gave was a kid coming home, exhausted after a long day of school. He threw off his shoes, turned on the tv, and melted into the couch. All of that took about 4-5 panels, but to prove a point, a single panel was drawn to show the exhausted kid, sitting on the couch with the TV on and his shoes tossed to the side. You still get all the visual queues for the story you’re trying to tell in the scene, but it’s wrapped up in one nice panel to read.
Good example. It’s what editors call left-foot, right-foot stage direction. Audiences don’t need every step laid out for them. Give them the broad strokes, and they’ll fill in the blanks.
Brian,
*raising hand* I’m guilty of writing with verbosity.π I’m even more clusmy when I write in the Romance languages.π But I keep practicing.π
xavier
Brian,
This is excellent. I love that you talked about Show, Don’t Tell, and the importance of rhythm and pacing. I’ve been a musician for about a year longer than I’ve been writing, and your discussion on rhythm made me think of something quite interesting. I’ve now realized that when I write, I have an immense urge to make sure the writing has a good “beat” to it, almost like a musical sequence. I don’t know if this is subconscious on my part, and my musical training is intersecting with my writing, but regardless, I love that you brought up this point in regards to good word choice, and how things are ordered. It’s an interesting point, and I wanted to give you my thanks for pointing it out.
Second, your point about being concise to provide a more punchy form of prose is something I wholeheartedly agree with. When I was a teenager, I read a bunch of Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Charles Dickens. As a result, my style in my teen years was very flowerly, and often exhuasting in its amount of detail. I’ve found that as I’ve grown older, I’m doing that flowery style less and less to the point that it’s now exstremely rare, as I now go for tighter, more snappy writing. Even so, I know I can trim down even further, which is, as you point out, is what editing is hugely helpful with.
I really appreciate your insight, and how well you’ve explained things here. Right to the point, and on target!
Eric.
Happy to be of help!