Friday, June 15, 2012

Writing Wordless Recipes

I've been thinking about this "wordyness" problem that I seem to have.

I find it amusing.

In my previous life I was the exact opposite of wordy. In fact the more words I used the more of a detriment it was to my job.  I became pretty proficient at reading between the lines.

"Make the Risotto."
There is a whole lot buried in that simple three word sentence. But I don't need the whole spiel on how the stock is made. Or how to dice the onions. Or how long to keep the rice on the burner.

So how to channel that type of succinctness into my writing. How do I say...simply...what I want to say? Get to the meat of the issue, so to speak?

Is it possible to write a story without writing a full on step by step recipe?

Mushrooms, Rice, Herbs, Wine, Bacon...Can you taste it?
   

6 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. This just brought to my mind John Updike's lengthy unnecessary descriptions like talking about a concrete parking lot for two pages. Not necessary.

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    2. That's what I'm hoping to avoid. Though it's not really the descriptions I have trouble with. It seems to be unnecessary words like "Then, Like, however..." You get the idea! :P

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  2. You'll do great. After every manuscript, a lot of us do a word search on the words that (that-itis), had (it's painful to kill but mostly necessary) and others.

    And although we're closed til January for submissions at White Cat Magazine, soon as we open up at the beginning of the year, you're always welcome to send us a story.

    Nice look to your blog, by the way.

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    1. Thanks Rick, I try to do word searches. Though sometimes it spirals out of control and I get stuck in mind games. Never a good thing.

      I will definitely keep my eyes open for Submission openings at White Cat. Good Stuff going on over there!

      A.

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  3. yes i think it is possible!

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