How to Eliminate Clutter Words For More Effective Writing

As fiction writers, our goal is to create captivating stories that immerse readers in the world we've crafted. To achieve this, it's crucial to have clean, concise prose. One effective way to immediately improve the readability of your writing is by eliminating clutter words and phrases. These unnecessary words add little value to your sentences and can hinder the flow and pace of your writing. In this blog post, we'll explore the impact of clutter words and provide practical tips on how to streamline your writing for a more engaging read.

Clutter words, such as "in my opinion," "very," "basically," and many others, often weigh down your sentences without contributing to their meaning. By removing them, you can create more impactful and powerful writing. We'll dive into specific examples and show you how trimming clutter words can enhance the clarity and impact of your sentences.

Let's take a look at some of these unnecessary phrases:

• "In my opinion": This phrase is redundant as the entire piece is your perspective.

• "Very, really, extremely": These words do not add any significant emphasis and can be replaced with a stronger adjective.

• "Due to the fact that" or "Because of the fact that": Simply use "because" instead.

By trimming these clutter words, you streamline your sentences and make them more impactful. Your writing becomes more powerful, and the reader can focus on the story rather than getting bogged down by unnecessary details.

Here are 20 clutter words and phrases to avoid in your writing:

• ALL OF
• AS A MATTER OF FACT
• AS BEING
• AS YET
• AT ALL TIMES
• BASICALLY
• ESSENTIALLY
• BEING THAT
• DURING THE COURSE OF
• EACH AND EVERY
• FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES
• FOR THE MOST PART
• IN ORDER
• IN THE PROCESS OF
• JUST
• POINT IN TIME
• PRETTY
• SIMPLY
• THAT
• UP/DOWN

Each of these words or phrases can typically be removed from your sentences without altering the intended meaning. For example, instead of writing "He ran quickly down the hill," just say "He ran down the hill." The word "quickly" is unnecessary and slows your pacing.

By trimming the fat and getting rid of these clutter words, you can ensure that your readers stay engaged with your story, instead of getting bogged down by unnecessary words. Remember, every word counts in fiction writing. Make them all work hard for their place on the page! So, be mindful of clutter words when editing your work and see how it improves the flow and impact of your writing. Your readers will thank you for it! Keep your sentences clear, concise, and clutter-free to create a truly captivating read. Happy writing! Let's make our prose shine by eliminating clutter words with every edit. You'll see the difference it makes in your writing, and your readers will too! Keep practicing and honing your editing skills to create the most effective and engaging stories possible. Remember, every word matters. Don't let clutter words weigh down your writing – keep it clean, tight, and impactful. Happy writing.

 Eliminating clutter words is a powerful way to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing. By removing unnecessary words and phrases, you create a cleaner, tighter, and more engaging narrative. Remember, every word matters in fiction writing, so make them work hard for their place on the page! By practicing the art of decluttering and honing your editing skills, you'll create stories that captivate readers from beginning to end. So, let's embark on this journey together and transform our writing by eliminating clutter words.

Write on!