C h a z z W r i t e s . c o m

There are a couple of TV shows you need to study to learn to perfect your story. Watch Dexter and Breaking Bad. There’s one element common to both: no wasted words. Every element deepens character and advances plot. Each character’s wants and needs drive the plot forward so people can end up doing crazy stuff, but it makes sense.

Writing Exercise:

Write a scene. Now cut out as much as you can and see if it still works. Now cut again. When you can’t cut anymore (meaning it’s not underwritten) see if the scene is better (i.e. readable, compelling, and advances the story.)

I write a magazine column that’s only 600 words. I often find that the first draft is closer to 1,000. It can be tough, but the cleaner it reads, the happier your editor and reader will be. Dickens wrote long, but  you’re not Dickens, that stuff wouldn’t fly today and he did that because he was paid by the word.

Filed under: Writing exercise, writing, writing exercise