Welcome back my friends. It is Tuesday, June 4th, and I’m glad you could join me.
Today we are going to talk about the K.I.S.S. style of writing, or Keep It Simple Stupid.
It is possible to fall too deeply in love with words. Sometimes….heck, most of the time, the best route between beginning and end is the simplest route.
Why use a five-syllable word when a two-syllable word will do? Chances are, your readers won’t understand what the five-syllable word means anyway, so how about writing to their level? Using two adjectives when one perfectly chosen adjective will work nicely is a waste of time and effort.
The same can be said of adverbs. Avoid them like the plague. If you have done your job as a writer, most adverbs are not necessary. I think it was Hemingway who said that adverbs are the tools of weak writers. I happen to concur with that assessment.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I try to leave out the parts that people skip.”~Elmore Leonard
I think Mr. Leonard pretty much summed up the message today, don’t you? J
TIP OF THE DAY
Be natural! Writing is its best when it sounds like conversation between two people. Find your most natural voice and then use it to full advantage.
Again we are talking about simplicity in writing. I have had conversations with college intellectuals that left me feeling like I had just kissed a dead fish. On the other hand, I have had conversations that felt like a passionate smooch with Heidi Klum. No comparison if you get my drift.
SITE OF THE DAY
Are you interested in protecting your work with a copyright? Find out how to do so at Copyright.com, found here.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
I love picture prompts and I hope you do as well. Here is today’s prompt…..what emotions do you feel when you look at this picture? Any memories come to mind? Let them loose and write about them.
CONTEST OF THE DAY
May Sarton Poetry Contest. Entry fee of $25 and deadline of June 30th….first prize $1000 and book publishing. Find it here.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE
Hey, this is only Tuesday. We have three more days of fun together, so get comfortable. I’ll go out for some snacks and be back tomorrow to serve them to you. As always, you get this free of charge and I’m happy to deliver.
See you on Wednesday!
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 