A scrupulous writer, in every sentence that he writes, will ask himself at least four questions, thus: 1. What am I trying to say? 2. What words will express it? 3. What image or idiom will make it clearer? 4. Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?
As well: is there an overuse of language (belonging to another genre/reader for example). Is there doubt after selecting the ‘right’ verb (for the character/tone/genre). Then it isn’t the definitive one.
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