Writing Advice from the Trenches Part 3

            “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” Thomas Jefferson   There’s a guy who practiced what he preached. Think about the Declaration of Independence.  Jefferson, the principal author, succinctly summarized our unalienable rights as “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” then went on to paint word pictures of King George’s disreputable actions in such concise sentences as, “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns and destroyed the lives of our people.” Attention new writers: find an encyclopedia and read the entire Declaration of Independence. Look closely at Jefferson’s precision, eloquence and passion. Just as young musicians play louder rather than better, inexperienced writers write more words with less purpose.  Words are powerful. Use their power like laser beams instead of shot gun blasts.       

            And finally, from Richard Bach. . . “a professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”   Enough said, write on!