Writing Tip: Polish Prose Like a Pro
Prose is as different and unique as its writers, but there are some things that can help us develop our prose and really take it to the next level. Whether you’re a new writer or a seasoned author, I truly believe none of us has ever fully arrived. We can always be working to improve our craft, and prose is one of those areas where this improvement can be seen most clearly when we’ve been working on it consistently. Poor prose immediately takes me out of a story as a reader, and I never want that to be a stumbling block for those who choose to read my books. So, I’d like to share a few of the reasons it’s important, as well as some ways we can all be polishing our prose.
This may sound ridiculous, but stick with me. I liken prose to coffee. I can get some coffee in a paper cup at the gas station and drink it on my way to work. It does the job and is perfectly fine coffee. I can also stop into my local cafe, sit in a comfy chair with a book, and drink a handcrafted coffee, complete with beautiful foam or cream artwork. It’s still coffee, but the experience of drinking it is vastly different than my paper cup coffee in the car. In fact, I’d argue that the experiences would remain vastly different even if it was the exact same coffee from the exact same place, because the other factors matter in creating the overall experience. Those other elements—the container it’s served in, the chair, the artistic flare, the vibes—all matter, too. The comfy chair cafe coffee is going to taste better because of all the attention to detail creating the experience.
Prose is all of those other elements. The story can be exactly the same, but whether we experience it as paper cup coffee or comfy chair cafe coffee rests almost entirely on the way that story is delivered to us. Prose matters, and there’s so much we can do to make sure our readers get the most out of their experience with our work.
Each of the following suggestions could be its own post (which I may do in the future), so we’re barely scratching the surface. But it’s a good starting point.
How To Polish Prose
Read Aloud
Reading our writing aloud can help us identify awkward phrasing, repetitive words, and areas where the flow could be improved. It allows us to experience the rhythm and cadence of our prose, making it easier to spot areas that may need refinement.
Varied Sentence Structure
Aim for a mix of sentence structures. Alternating between short, punchy sentences and longer, more complex ones adds variety and rhythm to our prose. This keeps readers engaged and prevents monotony. It can also create or emphasize the desired pacing for a given scene.
Eliminate Redundancy
Trim unnecessary words and phrases. Redundancy can dilute the impact of our writing, so be concise and ensure each word serves a purpose, and only repeat if it adds depth or emphasis. You can read more on this here.
Show, Don't Tell
Engage readers by showing them the story through vivid descriptions and sensory details. Instead of always outright stating emotions or events, let actions, dialogue, and imagery convey the nuances. This creates a more immersive reading experience. If you want to read more on this specifically, check out this post.
Avoid Clichés
Strive for originality in language. Clichés can weaken the impact of our writing and make it feel stale. We should always be looking for fresh ways to express ideas and use metaphors and similes that are unique to our own voice or that of our protagonist (or perspective character).
Check for Consistency
Ensure consistency in tone, style, and voice throughout every piece. Sudden shifts can distract readers. Pay attention to details such as character traits, settings, and timelines to maintain a cohesive narrative. This is one that gets an entire dedicated editing round from me.
Precise Word Choice
Choose words with precision. Opt for specific, evocative language that conveys the intended meaning. Avoid vague or overused terms. A well-chosen word can communicate more effectively than several less precise ones.
Balance Dialogue and Description
Strike a balance between dialogue and descriptive passages. Too much dialogue without context can be disorienting, while an excess of description may slow the pacing. Alternate them in a way that serves the narrative flow.
Seek Feedback
Enlist the help of beta readers, critique partners, or writing groups. Fresh perspectives can provide valuable insights into areas that may need improvement. Constructive feedback is a crucial step in refining prose. With this, I’ll add: Be open to this critique. I know it can be hard to hear this kind of feedback, but it’s so important if we want to keep growing.
Take Breaks Between Edits
Give yourself some distance from your writing between rounds of editing. Taking breaks allows us to approach our work with a fresh perspective, making it easier to spot errors, inconsistencies, or areas for improvement. I cannot emphasize this one enough. We all have our own processes, of course, but my writing improved dramatically once I stopped rushing the editing process and allowed more time in between rounds.
Bonus Tip
Master Punctuation and Grammar
This may seem obvious, but polished prose relies on proper punctuation and grammar. Ensure that your writing adheres to grammatical rules, and pay attention to punctuation marks. Consistent and accurate use of these elements enhances the professionalism of your prose instantly. If you want to break those rules once you’ve mastered them, that’s fine, but make sure you’ve got a solid foundation first so the breaking of rules enhances your work rather than distracting from it.
I want to note that these are things that work for me, as well as things other writing professionals have suggested, but nothing is prescriptive. If you work better going straight into edits, for instance, then ignore the tip about allowing space/time between rounds of editing. And I should also acknowledge that this post will not actually give you everything you need to “polish prose like a pro”… No blog post list can do that. What I hope this does is offer the basics, and remind us of the foundational things we can always be watching out for or implementing. The more we practice, the better we’ll get at it.
Remember, polishing prose is an ongoing process. Each round of editing brings our writing closer to its full potential. By incorporating any or all of the suggestions above, I think we can continue to elevate our writing. I’m sure there are many great suggestions out there by other writers as well. These are just the main ones I’ve compiled from my own experiences, but be sure to always be learning! I love to seek out varied and diverse voices so that I can benefit from the wisdom of others. My writing would not be where it is now without those insights and nuggets of advice passed down from others who have been there.
Happy writing!
