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Receive our newsletterWhat does it mean to be a lazy writer? The most obvious definition would be one who doesn’t write, but I believe we are all guilty of this from time to time. We can think of plenty of other things which need doing – or there’s always a game of Solitaire.
What I’m really talking about is laziness in the writing process – using clichés, tired old phrases and unexciting verbs – and children deserve better than this. They may not be familiar with many clichéd metaphors but the editor will, and it will give the impression that you don’t care too much about the job you are doing and have very little respect for your intended audience.
Clichés were once, of course, sparkling gems of language which someone created and which have crept into everyday speech because of their effectiveness. But now it’s up to you to invent your own. That’s what writers do. We try to be original and creative.
The children’s book market is very competitive and your work needs to stand out from the rest. Show that you have put a lot of thought into the words you use as well as having an intriguing plot and realistic characters. Say the same things – but differently to other writers – and try to be specific.
Some writers believe that you can improve your style by using lots of adjectives and adverbs to make it more descriptive. The strength of good style comes from choosing the right nouns and verbs. Adjectives and adverbs can clutter it up, unless carefully chosen and used very sparingly, like spices. Only then can they really add something essential to your text.Many adjectives are so imprecise as to say absolutely nothing.The rabbit was big and cute with long ears.How big? In whose opinion was it cute? Are there any rabbits with short ears? Better to say: Sam needed two hands to lift the rabbit and he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold it for long. One of its ears drooped over his shoulder giving it a forlorn look.More words, certainly, but it paints a better picture. Rather than using adverbs, try to use the right verb and be careful how you modify absolute adjectives. Nothing can be very unique or more perfect.
These are words like many, quite, some, tall, very, hardly, often, very. They do convey a meaning but not a very accurate one. David often dreamt he was being chased by a lion. How often? Three times every night or three times a week? His dad was very angry when he found out is more precise as: His dad was furious when he found out.
Aristotle said: ‘But the greatest thing by far is to have a mastery of metaphor. This alone cannot be imparted by another; it is the mark of genius, for to make good metaphors implies an eye for resemblances.’
As, if and seemed produce passive-sounding sentences. She looked as if she was afraid to open the door.He seemed angry as he wheeled away his bike.Show the reader by the use of more active phrases:She took a few tentative steps towards the door, from time to time taking deep breaths and closing her eyes. Her hand shook as she reached for the handle.
He snatched his bike from the rack and swung it round with such force that the front tyres sprayed an arc of gravel and dust over his shoes.
The reason the boy went home was because he was feeling sick is better as: The boy went home because of illness.It is nearly always better to use straightforward active voice construction that follows the subject, verb, object pattern.
There are words we use together probably every day without thinking. Even in conversation they begin to grate a little, but make sure that you mercilessly scrub them out of your writing. They have lost the power they once had.Doom and gloom, rough and ready, feast or famine, pleasant surprise, prim and proper, neat and tidy – and one which particularly annoys me – spotlessly clean. There are hundreds of them – and I’m sure you will be more aware of them now!
‘I have made this letter longer, because I have not had the time to make it shorter’ Blaise Pascal Lettres Provencales, letter 16, 1657.Your writing will become much stronger and more interesting by using less words and being more precise. Look for phrases where you are using two or more words to say what one could do (tautology) such as: huge giant, usual habits, clever genius, young boy, free gift.
Lack of time spent on revision is another form of laziness. This is a whole subject on its own, so suffice to say that spending time weeding out your tired old phrases, lazy use of words, clichés and poor rhythm is one of the most important parts of the whole process of writing. You will be proud of the end result.
Just like a garden, you’re never going to get rid of every weed, and even weeds have their place, so look at your writing critically, remove or replace the words which don’t add anything and leave only those which help create a clearer picture and enrich your writing.
