Tight Writing Skills

Writers love words. 
But too many words make writing obese and unhealthy.
Writers spend time finding the perfect words for their descriptions;  so, it can be hard to slim down words to make a better more succinct writing product which is, therefore healthier.  Good writing is a rich idea with an economy of words.  Since re-writes take time, a few healthy habits at the beginning of a project will improve writing.

Here are just a few rules that may help:
1)  Check for run on sentences.  Thoughts are difficult to follow when the sentence goes on and on. Short sentences are easier to read and keep the meaning clear.
2)  Words like there, it, those, and that are vague and indefinate subjects. They should alert you to a problem.  i.e That should be elimanated. BETTER--These combinations should be elimanated;  i.e.  It is a difficult read that has no specific subject.  BETTER--Sentences with no specific subject make difficult reading.
3)  Check for wordiness.  One  or two adjectives will get your point across. You don't need a string of words to explain.
4)  Check for "deadwood" -- a word or phrase that adds nothing.  i.e kind of, sort of, the fact that etc.

Hope this helps . . . have fun with your writing. 
(If you are interested, check out the tab at the top of the page called Small Stones.  These exercises are fun and help with writing skills.  Tomorrow's post will be a small stone.)

JOP Link Party

(This is my submission from one of the first lines provided in last weeks JOP post.)

The squirrel in the tree sat extremely still with his eyes fixed on the stealthily moving cat below. The all black feline's eyes were trained on a little blue bird hopping along the pine needle covered terrain.  A petite looking bird, cute with her newly formed azure feathers, pecked among the needles here and there, not aware of any onlookers.  As she continued hunting and pecking, the cat drew closer and closer.  The little bird disappeared for a moment behind the pine tree's trunk, but soon reappeared on the other side and hopped under the blackberry fronds. Certain of his next meal, cat had inched forward, hidden from the bird's view.  From the high limb, squirrel was now twitching his tail back and forth in a jerking rhythm, but remained quiet and alert.  Sounds of the little bird scratching the ground and flitting from the low branches was all that filled the air. As the bird began to approach the open ground below the tree once more, and the cat prepared to pounce, the squirrel let out a loud piercing chatter. The air filled with the startling sound of fluttering wings in full flight as the cat's jump missed the mark.  Continuing his chatter, I wasn't sure if the squirrel was rebuking the cat for his unacceptable behaviour or the young bird's careless inexperience with life.  Either way, I turned from the window with a smile and hoped that I would again see that smart squirrel again soon one day.  -- lpruitt    

Well, that's my submission for the JOP party today!  Wonder if anyone else used that particular sentence to start their writing? Practicing our writing skills, is what this party all about!  This is your opportunity to 'Just WRITE'! Write something cute, sad, inspiring, scary, or awesome.  Challenge yourself.  START with one of the first lines provided for you every Friday--thus the name: Jumping Off Places! (A review of how our party works can be found at the top of this page under the Jumping Off Places tab.)

First Lines for Next Week --Week ELEVEN--the September 9th JOP Linky party. 

1)  Over the river and thru the field of wheat, the carriage raced for it's destination.
2)  Her face was wrinkled with a furrowed brow that looked like a full life had been lived.
3)  It was an eerie sound, a  high pitched skreech and then a chilling silence.
4)  Mom and daughter entered the room with a wary look on their faces.
5)  I recognized the picture.  

It's fun to see what everyone comes up with!  And how many of us chose the same line to start with today?  Link your submission below so we all can read it and ENJOY!

Planning vs. Just Starting

Writers often just start writing and see where it takes them.  Sort of like a journey to discover what is in a head and how it will come out on paper in the end.  Do you write like that?  Or do you make a plan?  Most of us were taught in school to make an outline before we start to write our story, essay or thesis.  The trouble with just starting is that you get lots of sentences on the paper, capturing your thoughts, but they may be disjointed, and scrambled.  At some point you must fit them together to present the overall picture. 



Writer's Friend by frenchiefoo Etsy shop



On the other hand, some of us plan extensively before we write.  We think about it.  Test out several scenarios in our mind.  Talk about it, bouncing ideas off of a friend.  All this should be a part of the process to good writing and, I find, helps dispel writer's block.  I have been blogging for almost three years now and have experienced writer's block several times.  I believe this is due to lack of a plan.  I have learned, the hard way, to sit down at the beginning of the month and scribble out some probable blog posts for the coming days.  This planning keeps me focused and on track with consistent posting and takes the pressure off of trying to come up with something new all the time!

A plan is important. 

Plan your writing. 

Plan your blog posts in advance. 

Do some "homework" setting your plan to paper.  It can always be revised as you go, but a good plan (outline) is essential to good writing. Try it, and see if it helps you have a better writing product or blog.

JOP Writing Party RESTART

Jumping Off Places Writing Party!!

WELL, it's been a long time!  Our last writing party was back in April!  I took a break from this blog, thru some life hardships.  I have just returned from a restful vacation and it is time to restart this party!!  Write something if you like, write it in your blog then add your link here next Friday, or just keep coming back each Friday to read what everyone has written and enjoy!  Maybe the reading will stimulate your creative juices!!

 

We have all experienced writer's block.  I guess you could say that it is all part of writing.  [I have had writer's block: I was writing a story about Abby, (see the tabs at the top of this page) and got stuck!  It's time to take it up again! Been mulling over some angles and you will see a resumption of the story in this blog shortly.  In the mean time, please feel free to read or re-read the story to get up to speed. ]

 

Now for our Friday linky party! Practicing our writing skills, is what this party all about!  Just WRITE! Write something cute, sad, inspiring, scary, or awesome and START with the first lines provided for you--thus the name: Jumping Off Places! (A review of how our party works can be found at the top of this page under the Jumping Off Places tab.)

First Lines for Next Week --Week TEN--September 2nd. 

1)  She browsed the offerings in the street market, all the while pulling along her whimpering little boy.
2)  As I entered the office, I noticed it was filled with diplomas, degrees, and official looking certificates.
3)  Her smart gray suit belied her chosen profession.
4)  The squirrel in the tree sat extremely still with his eyes fixed on the stealthily moving cat below.
5)  Gasping for air, I literally thought my lungs would burst!

It's fun to see what everyone comes up with!  And how many of us chose the same line to start with!  Here's hoping that you will participate and ENJOY!