3 writing tricks
that you might like
1. Focus function
Have you ever tried the “Focus” function?
I’m writing my new tiny book in MS Word, and I’m using this function to cut out distractions. (The same function should be available in Google Docs and many other word processing programs.)
This is what I normally see when I open a Word document.
Go to the bottom right corner. Set the zoom level to 150%
Go up. Click on “View,” then “Focus.”
This is what you’ll see next.
Less distracting, more productive.
2. Duplicate and compare
Sometimes I write a paragraph and then wonder if its structure and rhythm are the best possible. But how can I know that if I only see one version of that paragraph? I could edit it and change things around, but then the original version would be gone.
So instead of doing that, I duplicate the paragraph and do all my edits on its twin, so I can then compare the first version with the second. I might make a third, too.
If you’re not pleased with the way a paragraph looks or sounds, or you simply want to experiment with different versions, don’t edit the original one.
Duplicate (triplicate, quadruplicate) and compare.
3. Have it read aloud
I always read my text aloud because it helps me spot problems. If I didn’t do it, I wouldn’t know if my sentences work well together or whether too many short sentences in a row made the text sound too robotic. I wouldn’t be able to spot bits that don’t work, typos, missing words, or extra ones that I can cut.
Reading aloud is a useful (and free) editing tool.
But what if I want my text read by someone else? In the perfect world, my partner Aloha would always be available to read it aloud to me.
In the imperfect world, I use MS Word’s Read Aloud function (again, many other word processing programs have this function too).
It’s nice to listen to your text while preparing coffee.
Do you know any other quick tips or writing hacks?
If so, share them in the comments.
Speak soon,
Fabio
Writing a tiny nonfiction book? Join 10 writers in the Tiny Book Writer’s Room.