To tighten your story, tighten your story angle
My favorite scene in “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” is when Steve Martin finally blows his stack at John Candy’s irritating character.
The thing that finally sends Martin over the edge isn’t when he finds he’s washed his face with Candy’s dirty underwear. It isn’t even when he wakes up to discover that he and Candy are snuggling together in the hotel room’s only bed.
The thing that finally breaks Martin’s character is when Candy tells a story that rambles on and on and on — without coming to any clear conclusion. And Steve Martin splutters as only Steve Martin can:
“Here’s an idea: Have a point!”
I often think of that line when I’m writing and editing. “Here’s an idea: Have a point!” Every piece you write needs a point. It needs a tight story angle. It needs focus.
Why find your focus?
Finding your focus is one of the three main ways to cut your copy. From best to worst, they are …
Learn 4 ways to tighten your story angle. >>>
How long should your message be?
Would your message be twice as good if it were half as long?
Yes, the research says. The shorter your message, the more likely readers are to read it, understand it and make good decisions based on it.
So how long is too long? What’s the right length for your piece? Your paragraphs? Your sentences? Your words?
Find out at Rev Up Readability — our clear-writing workshop, which starts June 20.
There, you’ll use a cool (free!) tool to analyze your message for 27 readability metrics. You’ll leave with quantifiable targets, tips and techniques for measurably boosting readability.
Save up to $100 with our group discounts.