An Economy of Words

Years ago, I did a short training course in counselling.

It was the pre-course as it were to the main training, which I decided wasn't for me.

However on the course I did, we were paired up in groups in an exercise on learning how we impact and affect other people.

My partner had to describe two things about his experience of me during the exercise, one positive and one negative.

His description was, 'too many words,' & 'makes me feel hope.'

I was reminded of this, this morning as I thought about my writing. Editing is my least favourite part of the process, and the part I find the hardest.

I hope to cultivate what I am calling, 'an economy of words.'

I hope to be more focused in the words I choose, as I go along. Making editing a more enjoyable process, and hopefully raising the standard of my work.

As a writer, I would much rather be someone who has 'too many words,' than not enough. (Though that would have been unhelpful as a therapist!)

It seems to me, I always have something to say, about just about anything.  And I want to use that to my advantage in a writing career.

I want to make sure I communicate effectively to the reader, my intention.  So I'd like to choose my words carefully, and punctuate well!

My agenda with writing is very much people focused.  When I trained as an Actor, we were taught constantly that it is all about serving an audience and not our own ego!

 So I love the idea that I could make people feel hope.  I would be very happy if anything I wrote made anyone feel hope.

C.S Lewis said, 'We read to know we are not alone.'  This encapsulates one of my main reasons and focuses for writing.  To give back what I have received from the writing of others.

To identify, to learn, to escape and be entertained. To share the experience of being human in all it's brokenness and beauty.

So, moving forward, I am choosing to be mindful about the words I use to communicate what I am trying to say.

Twitter and Facebook are good practice, as one needs to really choose one's words. Twitter only allows you a few, and peoples attention span of Facebook is very short.  There's a reason photos get the most likes!

My first novel, is around 60,000 words too long.  It's easy to see why I keep putting that job off!

As I cultivate the discipline of 'an economy of words', I'm sure it will get easier to edit.  I hope my skill will increase, and I will be quick to get rid of what is not needed to serve the story and complete a piece of work.