Adventures in Brevity: Why Say It In Ten Words When I Can Say It In Five (even though I really want to say it in ten)
I’m not going to lie. My first instinct is to always say more than I need to. Details are my comfort zone; I know if I use descriptive words, and site several examples, I have a better chance of being understood.
Apparently, not everyone feels that way.
In the first years of my marriage, my conversations with my husband sometimes baffled me. Usually, they went a little something like this:
My husband (KB): Guess, what? My friend’s wife is having a baby!
Me: Wow! When did they find out?
KB: I don’t know.
Me: Was she really excited when they found out?
KB: I don’t know.
Me: Did she tell your friend in a really cute way?
KB: This is the extent of our conversation: “My wife’s having a baby.” Me: “Cool.”
What??
Over the years, I’ve learned to ask less questions. And for his part, my hubby’s announcements go a little more like this:
“Guess what? Jim’s wife is having a baby. They’ve been trying for a few months, they found out two weeks ago when she took a test, she told him right away and they’re not going to find out if it’s a boy or girl. Better?”
The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do. ~Thomas Jefferson
I love adjectives… and descriptions… and for everyone who reads my book to know everything that’s inside my characters heads. So I write it… But I know better, so I delete most of it.
As a reader, there have been times I’ve read a book and thought, “Yes. I get it. He’s mad at her. Can we move on now?” But yet, in my own stories, I’ll give out words like it’s Halloween and they’re candy. I had to learn to treat my writing like I’m in the desert and my words are the last sips of water left- and only use what’s necessary.
I started small. The adjectives were the first to go. Then all the unnecessary thoughts that ran through my characters’ heads. By the time I finished, I’d deleted two complete chapters and narrowed my book down by thousands of words.
I reread it and shook my head. Then I sliced and diced until only the story remained.
My main character, Miller, taught me a lot. His story was the focal point of my book, and I wanted to give him a real voice. Each time I wrote his dialog and read it back to myself the first time I’d think, “he wouldn’t say that.” Then in the next edit, “he’d say it that in fewer words. Then in the final edit, I’d delete everything he said and write, “He shrugged.”
It wasn’t just about deleting words either. It was about finding better words- the right word. It was about a nod or a smile. A glance. One smirk that melts her heart. A single gasp to let you know her heart’s now broken.
Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,
I will be brief.
~William Shakespeare, Hamlet
Sometimes, I miss my extra words. I think about the birthday chapter that never happened, the funny quip I trashed four edits before, a character that no longer even exits. But then I remember how unnecessary they were. How they brought the rest of the words down. How they talked a lot but said nothing.
My story deserves more.
So, before this blog post becomes too long and becomes ironic, I’ll end with this.
“The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon.” Robert Cormier.
How about you? Do you fall into the less is more category? Or are you like me- the only thing missing from your stories are the illustrations? Let me know in 500 words or less. :)
