Actors have to be very deliberate in their movement, tone, and expression. They must choose carefully if they want to give the best portrayal of their character. This is the same for writers. My last blog from Getting Into Character by Brandilyn Collins is taken from Secret # 6, Restraint and Control. She discusses many things in this chapter, but for the sake of being…well, compressed… I’m just going to focus on compression.
What is compression? In Brandilyn’s own words, “compression means finding verbs, adjectives and nouns that are packed with meaning.” Brandilyn says that when you compress your writing, two things happen:
1. Your writing will be more vivid
2. your writing will be tighter
When you write, you want to write tight. Writers hear this a lot. We don’t want superflous words and phrases muddying up our stories. So compression is vital. The key to compression is effective word choice, eliminating excess words, and ruthless editing.
Here’s a very short example of before (compression) and after (compression):
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I've definitely gotten to be a tighter writer over the years. Working on a short word count has taught me to rein in my prose, and I'm sure the writing is better for it.
I just finished Brimstone by Robert B. Parker. Man, that guy writes TIGHT!
This is a learning process for me. I can definitely see the difference between older stories and the one I am working on now. Most of the time I like compression but everyone once in awhile I like long flowing chapters that pull me in and wrap me with beautiful words. I'm not quite as good at writing those, though 😀
Wendy – I couldn't agree more. I like the combo as well. I also enjoy literary fiction, which tends to have longer, more flowing prose. I just think it sounds so poetic sometimes. Like Nicole Baart's writer – it just rolls right off my tongue. Sometimes I'll actually stop and read her stuff out loud just to hear it. 🙂
Marybeth – for sure! We should compress our entire novel – make sure there are not only no superflous words, but superflous scenes and chapters. I can tell you're being stretched big time as a writer, girl. Sometimes it's uncomfortable, but it's oh so worth it.
Eileen – I DO know what you mean. Too many short, choppy sentences always jar me. I like how you described it… settling into a sentence. That's great, I totally get what you're saying.
Welcome, Jordan! I'm so glad you came to visit and even more glad that you want to come back! 🙂 I try to make my blog posts helpful to other writers. I usually share my insights from whatever craft book I'm reading at the time. And the first of every month I do a writer's voice lesson. So come back tomorrow to play. 🙂
Jeannie! I'm glad you don't skip my paragraphs. 🙂 And I LOVED your suggestions… even if your email was incredibly random. I love random emails, anyway. I'm still trying to decide which one to choose!
you know, on this rewrite, i'm finding it harder and harder to just write. as soon as i type in a passive…i delete it. as soon as i type "felt" or "watch"…i delete it and spend the time right then and there coming up with another, fresh way to say what i'm wanting to say (thus, the prostitute description that made you guffaw). 🙂
that said, i've never liked long descriptive paragraphs. in fact, i've never liked long paragraphs, at least in my own writing. i usually skip them…unless its one of YOURS!! ha!
glad you liked my suggestions for the tag…lemme know which one you go with! i'm excited!
I'm always trying to write "tighter," though I don't know how successful I am.
I think this is why adverbs and adjectives got a bad rap—because amateur writers use them either a.) redundantly or b.) instead of finding the "right," more vivid verb/noun.
Great example! I'm a new subscriber, but I'll definitely go back through this series.
Definitely not concise the first draft. I think I'm actually one who likes it to be in the middle. I'm not a flowery type reader, but yet I like to settle into a sentence, too, not be jolted out of it before it even begins. Know what I mean?
Revisions are full of cutting and finding the right word choice for punch.
I'm learning to write tight. It's a hard concept to grasp some days when you feel like there is so much to say, but need to realize some of it doesn't matter. I have to say this goes beyond just one sentence. I think it can apply to an entire paragraph, and sometimes even a chapter.
Great post 😀
Loved your example. Uncorking the Nuk! 😀
I like a combo. I know that might seem weird, but I like the impact when you blend the two.
~ Wendy
Sherrinda – Glad it was helpful. I'm the type that needs examples too.
Tabitha – I hear you on letting your brain throw up. There is definitely something to be said about letting yourself just get it on the page, and coming back to compress later. Thanks for sharing!!
Jody – it's so cool to see how people approach writing. Usually, I try to let my fingers flow and get my story on the page, because sometimes when I sensor myself, my creativity gets stifled. However, what's cool is that the more I study the craft, the more I practice writing – the tighter my writing becomes the first time around. Thanks for sharing, Jody!
I'm trying to train myself to write tight, just like I've trained myself to space one time after a period. It takes a little more thought when you're first starting it, but then like any habit, it becomes second nature. Why write sloppy, only to have to go back and revise it all? I'd rather save my editing for the things that really matter. Yes, some days I write slow, but I'm thoughtful and careful. If I can write my book good the first time through, but go a little slower, then it will save me from having to re-write it for having gone too fast. Does any of that make sense? It's just my philosophy!
Hmmm…great stuff Katie! I must admit, I like writers to get to the point when I am the reader, but when I am the writer… well, let's just say I ALWAYS revise:) In my first drafts I let my mind get it all out. No restrictions, no rules, just let the 'brain throw up' to use your words, Katie. Then I set the writing aside and come back to it later and cut, cut, cut. I write a bit for magazines and words limits are always tight. It has been very good practice for me to learn to 'write tight'. But I think the first time around I just need to give myself permission to just get it out. It's good to think about what we like to read and then how we write. Great food for thought!
What a great example, Katie! I am one that needs examples in order to really understand a concept. That really hit home for me, because I think I tend to write like the first example, which is rather bland. The second gives it so much more personality.
Great post!