It may be because my first writing job was in broadcasting but I learned to be sparse with words early in my career. When writing a news story for immediate on-air use, extra words were both unwanted and unnecessary. The public wanted to hear what was happening NOW in a brief, concise fashion that gave the facts. The same applies to your freelance writing. Editors look for manuscripts that are tight and concise, without unneeded wordage. Here are a few tips how you can trim and tighten your manuscripts.

The Simple Steps

1. Use as few words as possible. Look at each sentence. If you can say the same thing using fewer words, do it. It will read smoother and be concise.

Instead of writing "The lovely sunset was orange and red. It reflected off the clouds and lit up the sky.", try

"Streaks of orange and red lit the sky with beauty."

Always strive for the short version.

Remember to show rather than tell. Illustrate.

2. Limit your use of adverb/verb combinations. These can weaken a manuscript. Instead of saying "Sally angrily shut the door with a loud bang.", try "Sally slammed the door". It conveys the same meaning but with less words. Overuse of adverbs is something editors notice.

I resisted this step at one stage of my career. It seemed easy to modify those verbs with the adverb but I learned that I wasn’t showing the reader action but telling him, which is a major no-no in the literary world. Compare these examples:

Is this stronger?

His face was set in grim lines. "She’s dead."

Is this weaker?

"She’s dead", he said grimly.

Which shows? Which tells?                          

3. Write and rewrite and then rewrite again. Although it's vital to get a first draft down, it's just as important to revise and rewrite the piece until it's as near perfect as possible. Look for spelling errors, typos, grammar problems, and places where the words don't flow.

In a first draft I might write something like this

"He wore his favorite yellow shirt that day for luck, hoping that it would help him to pass the test but he also brought along his rabbit’s foot just in case". It’s awkward, right?

A revision might read,

"On the day of the test Michael wore his favorite yellow shirt.

He clutched his rabbit’s foot in one hand for luck."

Simpler and clearer, isn’t it?

4. Read your work aloud. You'll be surprised how easy it can be to spot problem spots when you're reading your work. If possible, read to someone else. Their ear may hear things you might miss.

I first did this with some of my radio copy years ago.

The habit carried over into my freelance writing.

I catch errors and rough spots I might otherwise miss.

My husband likes to be involved by listening.

And, my kids tell me that they often eavesdrop after bedtime because my office is just down the hall from their room.

5. Cut the fat. If something doesn't advance the story or enhance the article, cut it.

When my completed novel was too long, cuts were necessary.

I began by considering each scene and situation.

Did it advance the story or was it more background?

Does the reader REALLY need to know the backstory of the house Samuel and Annie are buying? If the answer is "no", then it can go.

The same applies to non-fiction. In an article written about Laura Ingalls Wilder, I decided her life on a Missouri farm had little to do with her popular books so I limited those references.

In Summary

Application of these five simple steps can hone your words to a fine edge. Tight, well-crafted work attracts the attention of editors and agents. Concise work sells whether it is fiction or fact, essay or exposition.Use the fewest words possible to tell the story and revise your way to success.