...that I've never read or heard of anywhere.
When I'm working on a re-write, occasionally I'll be reading along, and suddenly think, "Hmm." Then I continue reading a bit, and then think, "Oh, no, this is OK. This works fine."
Whenever that happens, I stop right there, because I've learned, whenever you think, "Hmmm..." it's NOT alright.
If it was alright, you wouldn't have thought anything. You would've just continued reading, uninterrupted by unarticulated questions.
Something is wrong, which must be made right.
For me, the easiest fix is usually to cut something out of the offending sentence, or the whole sentence. Often, you can see the writing strengthen before your eyes as soon as you cut the offending passage.
But in any case, any time that wordless question (or sense of uncertainty) enters your head while you're reading your work, it means something's wrong.
Don't know why I've never read this in any book on writing techniques. In my experience, it's made the difference between professional-quality and amateur writing.
When I'm working on a re-write, occasionally I'll be reading along, and suddenly think, "Hmm." Then I continue reading a bit, and then think, "Oh, no, this is OK. This works fine."
Whenever that happens, I stop right there, because I've learned, whenever you think, "Hmmm..." it's NOT alright.
If it was alright, you wouldn't have thought anything. You would've just continued reading, uninterrupted by unarticulated questions.
Something is wrong, which must be made right.
For me, the easiest fix is usually to cut something out of the offending sentence, or the whole sentence. Often, you can see the writing strengthen before your eyes as soon as you cut the offending passage.
But in any case, any time that wordless question (or sense of uncertainty) enters your head while you're reading your work, it means something's wrong.
Don't know why I've never read this in any book on writing techniques. In my experience, it's made the difference between professional-quality and amateur writing.
