Sometimes Less is More

I have a tendency to write long.  I love words...not just any word, but that perfect combination that exactly portrays my thoughts.  Sometimes that translates into wordiness.  I think part of my preference for more comes from a negative reaction to reading A Farewell to Arms, with  whole pages of short, choppy dialogue.  (At least that is how I remember it--high school was ages ago.) On the flip side though, it's hard to keep a reader's attention when the sentences are three lines long!  



So when I am editing, I look for phrases that can be replaced by one exact word that reflects my meaning.  For example, instead of will have to, use must.  Rather than will be able to, use can or enable.



If one word will suffice where you have three, use the one word.  This will de-clutter your work with less unnecessary phrases.  It will sharpen and improve your writing.  Isn't that what we all want?  




If you have some examples like this to share, please do so!  I would love to see a list of alternatives to wordy, vague phrases!



By the way...I just used improve rather than make it better!



Happy writing, 






Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com