Let's look again at reading two magazines. As you focus on each article, here’s another question to ask: Is there anything that distracts me from a single focus? Less experienced writers tend to provide too much information and thus divert the power of the message.
Once you have a single-focused idea, you can state it in one sentence. Here are examples:
Once you have a single-focused idea, you can state it in one sentence. Here are examples:
* If you’re considering adoption, here are seven things you need to know.
* People see the patient, but the caregiver becomes invisible.
* I didn't want to forgive Betty, but Betty forgave me.
If I can't reduce an article, scene, or chapter
into one statement,
I probably haven't focused.
Posts
Do you have tips for catching yourself if you start to go down a rabbit trail? I sometimes think I'm focused in an article or message-I speak, too--but when I edit or practice, I find I've veered off.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is hard! Is the task then to create more chapters/scenes and solidify each with one focus/take away? I too, like Ms. Levellie, veer off and down rabbit trails. As a writer I guess we need to learn to cut off those trails in our edits.
ReplyDeleteCec, these are poignant and.practical. I'm equating the process to writing homeletics. It makes valuable sense.
ReplyDelete