Cutting, blending, and rearranging - Amplify for maximum effect - Strengthen

Writing FAST - Jeff Bollow 2012

Cutting, blending, and rearranging
Amplify for maximum effect
Strengthen

Now, particularly when you get to the Edit stage, the work of rewriting involves mostly cutting, blending and rearranging.

Right here, for example.

I just cut out three paragraphs.

Why? Because I’ve got a better way to communicate the idea. And I think this new way will be clearer for you, and have a greater impact.

See, originally, I had each idea — cutting, blending, and rearranging — as its own paragraph. Separated.

But no, they’re not separate. At least not the way I want you to think of them.

Instead, think of them as a trio. Cutting, blending, and rearranging. Like Larry, Moe and Curly (or Shemp, if you prefer).

If your idea is unclear (or redundant, or confusing, or it’s got no impact), whip out the trio, and start fiddling.

Cutting is when you get rid of something (obviously). But as soon as you do it, you need to blend what came before and after. And you’ll rearrange to keep the flow smooth.

Don’t let your reader thump over a gaping pothole. Cut, blend and rearrange paragraphs, segments, or even whole chapters to keep the idea building. This is how you amplify for effect.

And the reader won’t even see it.

Just like you didn’t see what I did there.

Well. Unless you realize I just told you. Hmm. Get it?