One word, one concept at a time

  • One word, one concept at a time

    Brevity’s Blog, “Worth the Climb: Self-Editing Secrets That Actually Work” by Allison K. Williams reveals creative ideas for revision as well as first draft ideas.

    I particularly like Allison’s suggestion about “converting similes to metaphors when possible—saying something is something else is more powerful than saying it’s like something else.”

    Complementing Allison’s recommendations is advice given to Anita Gail Jones, author of The Peach Seed about her use of “the.”

    Anita found where she overused “the,” there were other problems. Her evaluation of “the” led to stronger writing and improved her story telling.

    This advice reinforces Allison’s concept of focusing on one thing at a time when revising. 

    Another gem from Anita, “Beats: A unit of emotional measurement between people.” Harder to find than the single word “the,” but so important in creating a compelling narrative.

    Thank you to Susan and Patricia for helping me to remember what Anita said at her keynote address at Sebastopol’s Lit Crawl, May 2025.

    Marlene C

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  • Revision Is Your Friend. Really.

    Guest Blogger Rachael Herron writes about one of my favorite topics: Revision:

    I’m in the middle of revision of a book, and I’m swimming in the water I love.

    What I adore about revision is this: I know the world. I invented it, after all! When I open the document, I’m right in the middle of something I understand. It’s much easier, for me, to drop in for hours and rest on the page. It’s also easier to come out of, to shake off.

    First drafts remain torture for me. Many writers love first drafts, and I can admit that sometimes, the writing of new words is glorious.

    You surprise yourself with a turn of phrase that you’re pretty sure is genius and has probably never been said before. The plot bends and a tree you wrote about comes to life and points a branched finger in a direction you never saw coming. Inspiration flows, hot and heavy.

    But maybe I’m just more of a down-to-earth gal. I love falling in love, but I love remaining in love more. Give me a passionate kiss before you take the trash out—that’s happiness to me. I like the comfort of What I Know. I like to tuck my feet under the thighs of my manuscript as we cuddle on the couch. I love knowing my manuscript likes the lights on till sleep-time, even though I prefer to read in the dark.

    Revision is both comfortable and exciting, like a sturdy marriage. Oh, I love the word sturdy. It’s prosaic, but it’s so me. My legs are sturdy. My emotions are, too. I love my books to be sturdy enough to lean on.

    And lean on them, I fall into them, really. Revisions are getting in the bed you made out of words and pulling up the covers. Then you roll around, making those words better, cleaner, more focused.

    Revision is when the REALLY big ideas show up. Then you have to move parts around, like those flat puzzle toys you slid pieces around on to make a picture, to make those new ideas fit. You might have to pry out some pieces and manufacture new ones. But then you click one piece left, and another one right, and suddenly, you’re looking at it. The whole picture. Your book.

    Ahhh. I’m reveling.

    Note from Marlene: I love Rachael’s enthusiasm about revision. If you dread revising, here’s a positive way to look at it: It’s an opportunity to look at your writing with new eyes; a prospect to improve your writing; to be sure your writing is clear, concise; to make sure you are saying what you really want to say.

    Best wishes with your revision projects.

    Rachael Herron is the internationally bestselling author of more than two dozen books, including thriller (under R.H. Herron), mainstream fiction, feminist romance, memoir, and nonfiction about writing. She received her MFA in writing from Mills College, Oakland, and she teaches writing extension workshops at both UC Berkeley and Stanford. She is a proud member of the NaNoWriMo Writer’s Board.

    Links to other guest posts on The Write Spot Blog by Rachael Herron:

    Keeping the spark alive

    The biggest failure    

    Reviews for Rachael Herron’s books on The Write Spot Blog. Type “Rachael Herron” search box for reviews about her books.

    Marlene C

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