Weekly Weeding
The weeds in my garden are, to put it lightly, out of control. Why is it they seem to grow better than the vegetables I actually planted? I’ve spent some time the past few days pulling weeds, and Steve tilled (which makes a huge difference), but there’s still quite a ways to go.
It’s satisfying to see the weeds pile up in the bucket, or along the edge of the garden, waiting to be thrown on the fire. I briefly considered tossing them on the compost heap, before realizing how dumb that would be. (Sure, let’s use thistle seeds to fertilize the garden!) It is also satisfying to walk out the day after weeding, as I did this morning, and see how nice the beans look without grass towering over them. Those poor plants have to be happier.
Writing is often the same way. I don’t have as many “weeds” in my writing as I used to (I hope), but there are still habits that creep in. I’m trying to clean up my office (talk about weeds) and came across an old e-mail from my editor in which she outlined several of my bad habits. I’ve mostly broken them now (although she might beg to differ), but for a while my writing was pretty weedy. Extra words, overused ones, using shone instead of shined (I’m still not sure about that one)…
When I first began writing it was harder to edit my own work. Each word was so precious it was hard to get rid of it, even when it really needed to go. There is the expression, “Killing your darlings,” which we writers all need to do. We have these cute conversations, or an especially dramatic sentence, and we really hate to see them go. But just like a weed with a pretty flower, these things can overpopulate the book and choke out the elements that really are essential.
When I worked at Actors’ Theater of Louisville one of the company actors told me something he’d learned from his mentor: “When you’re acting, you should say every line as quickly as possible.” Sometimes this will not be fast. Sometimes there are words that cannot be said quickly. The trick is to figure out which ones those are.
I’ve adapted it for myself concerning writing: “When you’re writing, you should say everything with as few words as possible.” Sometimes things take more words than others, but for the most part, to use another theater adage, “Less is more.”
So I have a little time to write this morning (it’s too hot to be weeding). I’ll see if I can produce a few hearty vegetables, and leave out the thistles.
Contest Question: What make, model, and year is Stella’s motorcycle?” And as a bonus, what color is it?
