If you’re an over writer, aka one who writes way above the word limit, then this post is for you. You finish writing your manuscript, and your eyes pop when you glance at the word count. That is okay, below are some tips I will give you to reduce that number.
Cut out repetitive sentences.
I fall into this trap more than once, where I explain too many unnecessary details, and I keep repeating them throughout the novel. Keep in mind that the reader is smart, and he will keep up with anything you write from the first time, so no need for repetition.
“So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.”
Dr. Seuss
Consider what’s essential and what’s not.
Review the scenes you’ve written and keep asking yourself if they’re necessary for the plot. Do they add significant meaning to the story, do they give us a better insight into the character, or don’t they? No, then cut them off.
Readers are not interested in the protagonist’s routine every day when she wakes up, for example. They want to reach the part where the action occurs, so you better not keep them waiting for long.
Is that character important?
Again, consider reviewing your characters and seeing where each one of them fits in your manuscript. Sometimes too many characters can confuse the reader, especially when they need to keep up with their names and descriptions. Try to prioritize the characters in your novel and see which ones don’t give any meaningful addition to your plot