Fix This - 7.14.24

We always recommend writers focus their first drafts and initial rewrites on the big stuff–story idea, character, plot, structure, etc. After all, what good does it do to massage the prose and dialogue when there’s a chance the entire scene could get changed or cut? 

Once you have all your main story elements in a good place, you can turn your attention to fine-tuning the writing.

Take a look at the sentences below. Can you spot the change that would improve them?

The problem is the word “emotional.”

Why?

Because it doesn’t actually tell us how Catherine feels. “Emotional” could mean almost anything. Don’t leave it up to the reader to interpret what you meant. Nine times out of ten, they choose wrong.

Instead of using the word “emotional”, pick something more specific. Something like…

These examples tell the reader exactly how Catherine feels.

When you have the option to choose between vague and specific, go with specific.

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