To Make a Long Story Short: Efficient, Effective Editing

I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.

“Whether you attribute that quotation to Blaise Pascal, Mark Twain or anyone in-between, the sentiment rings true,” says instructor David Jacobson. “All writers struggle to edit to the essential.”

In this online class, David, who also teaches our On Point class, will offer tips and tricks to edit and revise your prose, primarily for nonfiction pieces. Whether you bring to class a work in progress or start a new piece during in-class exercises, the course’s mix of lectures, homework, workshopping and individual instructor attention will explore:

• Fleshing out your piece without the flab
• Choosing and using scythe or scalpel
• Rearranging material, such as making certain sections appear earlier, later or never
• The principles of addition by subtraction and vice versa
• How to make a word, sentence or paragraph pop.

David says, “By the end of three weeks, you will leave class with the tools to tighten your writing and perhaps a polished piece of 500-3,000 words.”

About The Writing Salon's Remote Classes

Due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, The Writing Salon is running all classes in a remote learning format. You will be able to participate in live class meetings via Zoom videoconference. To attend classes, you'll need a phone, tablet or computer and access to the internet. You can participate in the class from wherever you'd like, whether on your living room couch or in your office. Before your class meets, you'll receive an email from The Writing Salon with more information about Zoom and your remote class. If you have any questions about remote learning, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@writingsalons.com.