Let’s talk about how I can’t count.

No, seriously.

See, way back when (like March??) I embarked upon what I’ve been calling my Top Ten Totally Stolen Writing Tips. Took a little tangent in mid-April when I met the ultra-cool Ted Dekker, then got back on track a couple weeks ago. 

But confusion set in and I thought, upon writing my last entry, that I was only up to TST No. 5. Turns out, I’ve actually provided 7 tips. Yeah. That’s why I write. ‘Cause counting ain’t my forte. (A second look at that last sentence might make one think writing isn’t so up-my-alley, either, but dude, sometimes you’ve got to make room for a little rule-breaking twang.)

So anyway, we’re down to TST No. 3 this week. And it’s such an easy rule I’m just going to play it straight and simple: take a hatchet to “was.” You know, like Sully always did in Dr. Quinn.

I’m at a point in my own WIP right now where it’s almost all re-writing. And there’s a lot I’m looking for as I turn my hopefully eagle-like writer eyes on one scene after another, but if there’s one thing I’m super-sensitive to at this point, it’s the word “was” –  same way I’m super-sensitive to the difference between Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi. (World of difference there, folks!)

At the moment “was” stands out to me like girl in red pants in London. (And yes, I’m talking about me and the sweet red pants – err, trousers – I wore around London the semester I studied abroad.) Each time my eyes land on the word, I put myself through a mental exercise to find better, stronger verbs and nouns to take the place of that passive little nuisance. 

You do, however, have to use a little discernment. I mean, probably 90% of the time a writer can do some snazzy writing in place of an eradicated “was.” But just like Sully had to use restraint now and then on just who got the hatchet, it’s not sooo terrible to leave in one “was” here and there. I mean, I’d choose a “was” over a sentence rife with Thesaurus-finds a writer threw in just to replace the “was.” 

Make sense? Hopefully. Oh, proper credit for this tip goes to the fabulous Susan May Warren and her My Book Therapy resources. Last writing retreat I attended – the Deep Thinkers Retreat in Florida – we talked about word-painting, and one of her tips included the demolition and reconstruction of “was” sentences. And if it seems like I’m always lauding My Book Therapy, well, it’s ’cause I am. I recommend it as highly as I recommend Diet Coke with Lime…Coldplay…Ted Dekker books…curry…bubble baths…MacBooks…flannel pajamas.

And yes, I am serious on that last one.