Cutting More words

Hi everyone,

I found six manuscript pages (6/10) where I could add micro-tension and deleted 238 words today.

Things I noticed when deleting words today or remembered from my previous intensive bout deleting 28K from my manuscript.

Repetition:

I’ve done it. I’ve finished the exam.

Deleted: I’ve done it.

He shakes his head. “No.”

I deleted he shakes his head. It is an action which means no. I don’t need both.

Redundant:

1) He nods his head.

Delete: his head. We don’t nod our arms or legs so it’s redundant.

2) I push my desk forward.

Delete: forward because it’s implied.

3) I blurt before I can stop myself.

Deleted: before I can stop myself. Blurt indicates a lack of impulse control.

Phrases that can be shortened:

1. I don’t think so—I doubt

2. This is no longer the case—This is no longer true/This isn’t true/This is false.

3. In front of me—ahead of me

4. Let go of—release

   Phrases that can be replaced with one word

1. All the time: constantly

2. Didn’t like: dislike

3. Don’t trust: mistrust

4. Not true: incorrect/false

5. Every hour: hourly

6. Every day: daily

7. Step back: retreat

8. Next to: beside

9. Was convinced: believed

10. Think about: consider

Words that you may not need:

1. Somehow

2. Absolutely

3. Actually

4. One of

5. Now

That’s it for tonight.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Happy writing, or deleting,

Joanne.

Micro-tension draft: 108 pages