Writing Tip: Keep It Tight

How we choose and arrange words matters! Keeping it tight, or using language intentionally, is a skill that takes time and intention to develop. Concision doesn’t come naturally to some of us. It certainly hasn’t for me. As an over-writer, this has been something I’ve needed to continually work on, because I understand that impactful writing is often the result of precise choices, and I want my work to make an impact.

So, let’s talk about why it’s important, and I’ll share some practical tips I’ve picked up along the way on how to achieve clarity and punch while avoiding the pitfalls of overwriting. Let me reiterate, though: this is an area of weakness in my own writing, and I’m always learning. But, since I have worked a lot on this one, it might be helpful to share with others what I’ve learned so far, in case this is an opportunity for growth in them as well.

The Importance of Tight Writing

In a world full of short attention spans, the opening lines of a piece are critical. We want to draw readers in as quickly as possible, so many of us work endlessly on our opening pages. I did a post on hooking readers from the start, if you want to check it out. The trick is to remember to implement those same things throughout the entire manuscript because even beyond those opening sentences/pages, tight writing contributes to the overall pacing and flow of the entire story. Unnecessary details and verbosity can bog down the narrative, while concise language propels the story forward. Each word choice should be intentional. This is where a vast vocabulary (or access to a thesaurus) can come in handy!

Punchy, focused writing seems to be what readers want right now. It holds their attention and keeps them invested in the unfolding story, so by avoiding unnecessary detours and staying on course, tight writing sustains reader engagement. In the past, brilliant authors like Steinbeck and Tolkien could spend pages and pages on setting description or backstory, but that isn’t what keeps current-day readers engaged with our work.

Unpopular opinion time!

I have distinct memories of reading Steinbeck’s East of Eden when I was young. It was my very first DNF! It was sorely disappointing, as I’d just read several of his other works and had enjoyed them immensely. I loved his richly-developed characters, full of heart and authenticity. I loved his beautiful prose. I loved the way I truly felt immersed in these other times, with people so different from myself. Then came East of Eden. And my primary reason for DNF’ing it was the over-writing. I don’t understand how this book made it to publication on that basis alone. That may be super controversial, but Steinbeck’s dislike of revision shines through on this one for me. It wasn’t just the abundance of autobiographical inserts, or the heavy handed messaging, but the dozens of pages spent describing the setting felt like too much here. And this is coming from someone who lives for setting, both as a reader and writer. I didn’t disengage with Steinbeck’s work over it, and consider him one of my favorite classic authors still, but to this day, if you ask my mother about it, she’ll laugh at how annoyed I was by having to read endless pages about a turtle on a dirt road. Little 13-year-old me was over it by page 25.

This isn’t to say we can’t let ourselves express in other ways, nor am I implying that flowery prose is somehow worse. I happen to love prose others might consider flowery. It’s just that we have to consider our words, and make sure they’ve earned a place in our work.

What about poetry?

A note on poetry, because I recently saw someone on social media posting about how poets don’t have to be concise to be impactful. They can wander and leave things up to the reader to decipher. I’ve dabbled in poetry as well, so I love me some good symbolic language and abstract metaphors that speak to something deeper, but I also understand that even those should be choices, and not the result of poor precision with our language. So I actually disagree with that poster. In fact, poetry is perhaps some of the most precise use of language, as literally every word holds meaning (or should), as do the stylistic choices and overall structure itself.

Practical Tips for Tight Writing

Trim Redundancies

Identify and remove repetitive phrases, unnecessary adjectives, or redundant expressions. Each word should contribute to the overall meaning.

Example: "The soft moonlight illuminated the dark night with its glow." → "Moonlight illuminated the night."

We already understand nights are dark, and that the moon glows softly, so those words are unnecessary.

Choose Strong Verbs

Opt for strong, precise verbs that convey the desired action without the need for excessive adverbs. Strong verbs create a more vivid and immediate impact, reducing the reliance on modifiers.

Example: "He ran very quickly." → "He sprinted."

I also try to avoid common noun-verb combinations. If my character knocks on a door, I don’t want to say that. I would try to use the verb to not only indicate more about the character’s action, but their mood and motivation as well. If the character is angry, maybe they pound on, or pummel, the door. If they’re trying to quietly get someone’s attention, maybe they tap.

Be Specific

Specificity enhances the impact of writing. Instead of vague descriptions, use concrete details to paint a vivid picture. Specific language not only adds authenticity but also ensures that every word contributes to a more nuanced portrayal.

Example: "A bird sat on a tree branch above them." → "A red-breasted robin perched overhead."

Adding the species gives a clear mental picture, where “bird” might conjure one of thousands of possible images. In this example, we were able to replace “on a tree branch above them” with “perched overhead” by utilizing the previous tips regarding stronger verbs and trimming redundancies.

Avoid Clichés

Clichés can dilute the freshness of your writing. Seek original expressions and avoid relying on overused phrases. Unconventional language captures attention and adds a distinctive flair to our prose. It’s especially effective when we tie it to the character’s perspective. In the following example, imagine the character is a photographer or a model, and you can really see why the second version of the same concept is better.

Example: "In the blink of an eye" → "In a camera’s flash."

Final Thoughts

Overwriting dilutes the impact we’re trying to make, even if we string together a bunch of beautiful words and everything is technically correct. This is because, when every detail is overly described, the essential elements lose their prominence. The reader becomes overwhelmed, and the intended impact is diluted. Dense, overwritten passages can lead to reader fatigue, which is the absolute worst.

Okay, maybe saying it’s the worst is slightly hyperbolic, but it really is a big thing.

Tight writing, on the other hand, maintains reader interest by delivering information succinctly and clearly. They know what information is important, and aren’t questioning why they’re reading the same description three different ways. This is important because the emotional or thematic weight of a piece can be lost in the midst of unnecessary details, and most of us (as writers) want our readers to feel things about the words on our pages. Tight writing ensures that each word contributes to portraying exactly what we want the reader to experience.

So, as I continue to practice more impactful storytelling, I hope you’ll join me.

Happy writing!