Writing can be a daunting task, but mastering the skill of not ‘overwriting’ is pivotal to any successful piece of literature. Have you ever read a story that felt like it had too much information, or was overly flowery and verbose? That’s an example of overwriting.
While repetition can be used to emphasize a point, simply repeating the same words over and over again will not effectively create emphasis. So what does overwrite mean in literature and how can we avoid it while still creating powerful writing?
What Do We Mean By Overwriting?
Overwriting is an issue that can plague any piece of writing. It’s the result of too much information or flowery language getting in the way of your story. It can be difficult to identify when you’re overwriting, but you know it when you see it – and readers certainly feel it.
Overwriting takes away from a story’s impact, as there is too much unnecessary detail and complexity to keep up with. The good news is that it doesn’t take a lot of effort to avoid overwriting; all you need is a few simple rules and some practice.
Ways To Overwrite
Your Dialogue Is Too Formal
In literature, overwriting is a common mistake made by authors when writing dialogue. When dialogue is overwritten, it means that the author has included too many details or has used overly formal language. This often results in stilted conversations between characters that lack naturalness and realism.
When writing dialogue scenes, it’s important to remember that normal conversations consist of short sentences and one- or two-word answers as well as sentence fragments. Using overly formal language and complete sentences without any interruptions will make your dialogue sound unnatural and not realistic.
When crafting your dialogue scenes, remember to keep them short, simple, and snappy. Try to include natural pauses, interjections like “hmm” or “oh”, and slang words or phrases where appropriate. Also be sure to give each character their own unique voice by avoiding “sameness” in their speech patterns.
Finally, always read through your dialogues aloud before submitting them for publication; this will help you catch any instances of overwriting that may have slipped past you during the editing process. By following these tips you can ensure that your dialogues are authentic-sounding and engaging for readers!
You Overuse Similes And Metaphors
Similes and metaphors can be powerful tools for making writing come to life. But too many of them can quickly become overwhelming for readers, leaving them confused and disconnected from the text. This is why it’s important to use these devices sparingly and with purpose when crafting your prose.
One way to avoid overusing similes and metaphors is by focusing on the language you are using to describe everyday elements. Instead of saying “The sky was like a painting,” simply say “The sky was beautiful.”
This will make the sentence more straightforward and easier for readers to understand. Additionally, focus on using strong verbs instead of relying on figurative language; this will help keep your sentences concise and compelling.
Finally, remember that similes and metaphors should be used only when they add impact or clarity to your writing—not as a means of describing ordinary subjects. When used thoughtfully, these devices can bring your writing to life in ways that no other forms of description can!
You Use Needlessly Complex Words And Phrases
It’s tempting to show off your vocabulary when you’re writing, but it can be a real turnoff for readers. Instead of using words that are overly complex or flowery, focus on using simple language that is easy to understand. Doing so will make your writing more accessible and help it flow naturally.
It’s also important to avoid jargon, which is a specialized language associated with a particular field or profession. Unless you’re writing specifically for an audience in that field, stay away from jargon as it can be difficult for readers to decipher.
The same goes for any archaic language—it may sound impressive, but unless you’re writing a period piece, the reader won’t have a clue what you mean. Don’t waste time trying to research and use difficult words; instead, focus on choosing ones that will best convey your meaning in the most natural way possible.
In addition to this, make sure you don’t repeat yourself when using certain words and phrases throughout your work. This can be very distracting and take away from the overall clarity of your writing. If one sentence contains four “verys”, chances are there are other ways to express yourself without having to repeat the same word over and over again!
Ultimately, remember that the goal of your writing should always be clarity above all else. Keep sentences short and straightforward; use plain language; and avoid jargon or overly-complicated words whenever possible in order to ensure that each reader understands exactly what you’re trying to say!
You Get Bogged Down By Technical Descriptions
If you’re writing a novel set in a fantastical world or a science fiction story with intricate technology, it can be easy to get carried away with detailed technical descriptions.
While it may be tempting to dedicate paragraphs to explaining the inner workings of these technologies or the history behind them, it’s important to remember that your readers don’t necessarily need all this information in order to understand your story.
Instead, focus on only providing the bare minimum amount of technical information necessary for readers to follow along with the plot. In addition, try not to introduce too much detail all at once—it’s better to dole out information as needed throughout the story in order for things to make sense in context.
This will allow readers to enjoy your work without feeling like they have to memorize a lecture on engineering or history!
Finally, if you do find yourself getting bogged down by technical details, take a step back and ask yourself what’s most important for readers to know about this particular element of your story.
Doing so will help you determine which details are essential and which are better left out in order for readers to still understand and appreciate your work.
Developing Your Writing Voice
Have you ever thought about how you want your writing to sound? Developing a writing voice is essential if you want your work to stand out amongst the competition. It’s important that readers can identify your written content and recognize it as yours.
Creating a consistent and recognizable writing style will help differentiate you from other authors. To get started, consider the purpose of your content and who your intended audience is. This will give you an idea of what type of voice to use: friendly or professional, formal or informal, lighthearted or serious?
Once you’ve determined the type of tone you’d like to use, think about how it should come across in each piece. For example, using language that’s too technical for an article intended for a general audience will make their reading experience difficult.
Conclusion
Overwriting in literature refers to the practice of the author writing too much, making the text verbose and more difficult to comprehend. It can be avoided by focusing on the essentials and cutting out any excess words. Overwrite can be seen as a sign of inexperience, but with practice and feedback, it can be corrected and improved.
