While growing up, reading was second only to breathing in my life. As long as I can remember, whenever I had a problem or an interest, I went looking for and discovered books that enlightened me.
When I decided I wanted to be a writer, I again turned to books. I read about writing, rewriting, and editing. Not sure what genre to choose, I read about writing novels, romances, memoirs, screenplays, and non-fiction.
I took one writing class. I learned more about the craft, but, more importantly, I got my first two writing jobs from connections I made there.
Before I got these jobs, I wrote occasionally. I had to work writing in around my 9-5 job, family obligations, errands, chores, illnesses, exhaustion, and resistance. In the end, I didn't accomplish enough.
However, once I had professional deadlines, my writing habits became regular and ingrained. I made the time to write. Editors were counting on me and I was not going to disappoint them or myself.
Now my regular monthly assignments are writing articles and profiles after interviewing individuals and members of organizations. I also write book reviews and essays.
The word count for these assignments is a range, not a hard number. I never gave much thought to the word count when I wrote. I just wrote, rewrote, and edited until the article was done then checked the word count. It usually fell within the range so the assignment was complete.
But I now realize I wrote only well enough.
I made this discovery once I gave myself the hard word count of 500 maximum for my posts on this blog.
WRITING GOAL: While researching how to create a blog, books and other blogs I read emphasized shorter posts were preferred so I gave myself the hard word count of 500. Readers have not commented on the brevity of my posts, but this decision has improved my writing in unexpected ways. I am learning to make every word tell as recommended by Strunk & White in The Elements of Style, a book all writers should read.
I still write without a thought about the word count although I may track it. I rewrite and edit my posts four, five, six times or more.
Then I check the word count and, for me, the real fun of blogging begins. I refine and sharpen my sentences; this is not to say I ever reach perfection, but I improve the posts with each pass.
It's essential to find just the right word, the most descriptive, encompassing, or specific word, which means searching and stretching my vocabulary. When I find it, I recognize it—almost hearing a click—and no other word will suffice.
I have made similar rewrites and edits before, but because of the hard word count, these improvements really resonate in me, especially when I am at the 500 limit and find another change that must be made. I then have to make difficult decisions and rewrites to return to that total. At times it's frustrating, but, mostly, it is exhilarating!
I think writing a blog with a hard word count is one of the best ways to improve your writing. Along with the pressure of a weekly deadline, blogging is a high stakes game with a potential world-wide audience. What more could any writer ask for? Well, being paid would be better—and you might get some offers. You won't know until you blog.
Do hard word counts improve your writing?
No comments:
Post a Comment