These are some of the wonderful books edited by Judith Arnold | WordServings over the last little while. I can honestly say I’ve loved each and every one. More titles coming soon.
Best-selling author of
How to Write a Movie in 21 Days
2023 Chaucer Awards 1st Place
indieBRAG Medallion Honoree
2023 Coffee Pot Honorable Mention
2021 Chaucer Book Awards Finalist
Best Adult Fiction E-Book Bronze Medalist
Finalist for Best Historical Fiction
A first-person memoir detailing the author’s rise from a childhood of adversity to a vibrant and successful career, using a 3-Act structure.
Overwriting is a defense mechanism that lets memoir writers circle painful emotions instead of confronting them.
Act 1 was too long.
WHY?
It contained a lot of incidental material that was irrelevant to the story.
RESULT
The reader got bored because the story stalled. They quit or forgot about the story as soon as they finished.
SOLUTION
Cut all material not vital to the main thread of the story.
Act 2 was too short.
WHY?
Key events and turning points were summarized (told) when they should be dramatized (shown).
RESULT
The reader was rushed through numerous scenes that should have been impactful, but weren’t. The story was forgettable.
SOLUTION
Dramatize (show) key events with action, dialogue and sensory description.
Overwriting
WHY?
The writer was unconsciously evading traumatic memories and painful emotions.
RESULT
The reader was unable to feel the emotions the writer was trying to convey, so the story lacked impact.
SOLUTION
Dramatize instead of summarize. Break long sentences into component parts. Use the most potent verbs possible. Cut restatements. Use specific rather than abstract vocabulary. Cut adverbs and qualifiers.
IMPACT
The writer got ruthless and cut incidental material from Act 1, resulting in a much tighter beginning that pulled the reader into the story. They then worked on their dramatization skills and expanded key sections of Act 2. This also solved most of the overwriting issues. As a result, the emotional highs and lows became unforgettable turning points.
Overwriting is when you use more words than necessary through repetition, excess description, or overly complex phrasing.
