Sudden Weight Loss: Put your prose on a diet with this free tool

Bing Free Images
Is your manuscript weighing in far over your word count? Has your willpower to cut words weakened? Are you bothered by bloated scenes?

Try this: put your prose on a diet.

WritersDiet is an online tool to evaluate your writing on a scale from 'lean' all the way to 'heart attack territory'. Simply paste a block of writing in the box and click 'run the test'.

In seconds, the site analyzes your sample with an algorithm, grading different areas of efficiency. You'll see an overall grade, then an analysis of your use of five different categories: verbs, nouns, prepositions, adjectives & adverbs, plus those pesky words like it, this, that, and there.

The score indicates areas you could consider tightening. Here's an example of a score chart. Click the red 'see full diagnosis' for a printable pdf file of your sample, score, and suggestions for changes.


Below the ratings, the site shows your sample passage with individual words highlighted in each of the colors. I was surprised to see that I used the word 'up' three times. I'll definitely make some changes.


If you find you need to cut words, here are two tips to try:

Fantasy author Carol Berg challenges herself by looking at the end of a paragraph. Mine (above) has a 'tail' of four words at the bottom. Carol, who admits to wordy first drafts,  would find enough words to cut in the paragraph to eliminate that tail.

Agent Rachelle Gardner compiled a list of words to watch for. Use the 'find' feature on your word processor to locate and then eliminate excess verbiage.

Keep in mind that the WritersDiet site warns,
The WritersDiet Test is a blunt instrument, not a magic bullet. A stylish passage may score badly on the test, and a dull passage may score well. It is up to you to make intelligent use of the targeted feedback that the test provides.

What kinds of words add inches to your manuscript? Any additional tips for tightening?

8 comments:

  1. Hello, Debbie! Thanks for the info on WritersDiet--something for sure I'll check out. I've used EditMinion in the past but this looks like it goes a bit deeper. Good to see you in the blog roll again :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it's been sooo long. I have a critique group that has been encouraging me to get back to things. So glad you stopped by!

      ~Debbie

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. It's really fun to try it out on different styles of writing. : )

      ~Debbie

      Delete
  3. I LOVE the Writer's Diet. I've had it on my writing resources section for a couple of years now. It really has helped me improve my writing. :-) Good post, Debbie!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for sharing this amazing article, it is a very informative post good work keep it up.

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails