Writers, either love or hate the editing suite. Inside that room we make decisions and ask questions. We choose what will remain and what will go.  The suite to snip, tuck and shape your ideas and stories. The workshop where verbal treasures and nuggets are found and lost. The time to polish and craft your messages. However you feel about it, this is work that has to be done. It is the root of your big idea, your vision and your future. This is where you craft your words and Snip, Tuck and Shape the story that will make a difference.

Snip, Tuck and Shape.

There are plenty of rules and guidelines for writers and most are important, just don’t let them cramp your style.
I am reminded of the advice my music teacher gave me. Learn the rules really well and then forget them. Let me explain this controversial and contrary sentence. Having spent many years learning the rules of music, practising and rehearsing a thousand times scales and rhythmic phrases. Yes, I dedicated several years to learn my instrument and to make it sound beautiful. I did my homework. Then, I took her advice and threw the rule book out the window because I had reached the point of trusting my knowledge and my ears! And it is a bit like that with writing.

-Write drunk – edit sober – Ernest Hemingway

The first draft of your message, script or article is the raw stuff. The words that come from heart, emotion, experience wicked and wild thoughts – and many other secret places.  But as we know, all too often, too much is included – like too much information for anyone to handle! As they say: write without fear – edit without mercy.

-All stories come from the truth – even fiction – Ridley Scott

Here are five simple tips for trimming your stories without destroying content.
  1. Take out all adverbs.
  2. Easy on them adjectives but make them colourful.
  3. Verbs are about action. Hunt down verbs that act.
  4. Walk away from your words, put them in the fridge to cool down.
  5. Read out loud and tune in to how it “sounds” The ear is a natural editor.

-You might not write well everyday, but you can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page – Jodi Picoult

One of the greatest benefits of the snip, tuck and shape process is that it gives you, the writer, the opportunity to make changes. It gives you the freedom to reconsider the meaning, the feeling or the order of words. It offers you the time to insert a substitute word or phrase. Having a bit of space from your writing can also inspire you to bring in an additional thought or idea.

If communicating your stories, experiences and business ideas is important to you and yet you are hesitating, even struggling to get them out there – then schedule a chat with me. I have customised courses and programs to help you grab back your attitude and ambition on video, stage or page. Hit that button below and let’s get you started!
Here is an article I penned about getting down to the bones of writing.

https://www.georgiavarjas.com/648/writing-right/

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