26 Comments

I believe it was Elmore Leonard who said, "Don't write what your reader will skim over."

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I love this, thank you Brooke! Precious writing was one that resonated - and I feel the trick for me with this will be getting clear on why I'm including something. I must say it feels tricky sometimes when you want to make sure the reader also has context to the event. I'm currently revisiting some of the work I wrote on my Memoir course with you :)

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So thrilled to hear this, Kali!

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This is such a wonderful reminder to keep it simple rather than sacred. "language is the supporting actor, and the story is always the star.." Also, on the wordiness of the Oppenheimer script, I always knew this but didn't have the language for it.. I am sure this was the case with most people who were mesmerized by the movie to a point where they couldn't critically review it.. for themselves, I mean.

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Thanks for reading, Alekhya.

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Brooke,

Great article. I have often wondered why so many writers view overwriting as an exalted form of English. Also, some readers seem to relish language difficult to understand. It reminds me of the sniping between Faulkner and Hemingway. A reporter asked Faulkner about Hemingway's barb that a reader needed a dictionary to understand Faulkner's work. "No one ever made that statement about Hemingway's writing," Faulkner replied.

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Guilty! Ha. Loved this piece.

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Thank you Brooke for this and the brilliant less is more editing you did for me. I certainly am susceptible to trying to hard and loving my subject too much.

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Well, some subjects are certainly worth loving too much, aren't they? ❤️

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Love this, Brooke. I “killed many darlings” in my memoir. I think some of my initial overwriting was simply processing. Necessary to get to the “less is more” version...that says everything it needs to say.

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Another great piece, Brooke. And a good reminder to get out of our own way and just let the story tell itself.

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Ah yes, I remember not understanding what overwriting meant when I first began to write for others to read. When we're starting off journaling, we write as much as we want! And it's a learning curve to know that there are many ways to say things, that focusing can help us figure out our thoughts just as well or better than writing on and on. And that we can trust the creative process. All a learning curve! Thank you for this!

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Love this! ❤️❤️❤️

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Thank you for this Overwrite piece revealing some sins of my own when writing. My latte went cold reading it over twice. Best craft piece I’ve read.

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Ohmagosh... thanks for writing about this. It’s so true. Sometimes I’m tempted to try the art of brevity writing tactics from Grant. Overwriting is a problem but I find myself editing and (hopefully) make it better with each pass. Agree that ChatGPT is definitely an overwriter and over adjectives user. 😆

Can you write a follow up about “overediting”? 🤓

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Great question. I will consider the challenge for a future post, Claire. Thank you! Lol on ChatGPT!

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Really wise words, Brooke! Usually in the second, third and maybe even 4th drafts I cross out a lot.

Very helpful!

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Advice and insights delivered in a friendly, straightforward way. So good! I now look forward to seeing Brooke’s name in my inbox.

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Thank you for this!

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Love this!!!!

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Wait! The guy in the patio never opened the sliding glass door. He never made it to the sofa. Concussion? Stitches?

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😂😂Looks like there's more than one sin going on here.

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