Be grateful for every word you can cut.
--William Zinssser
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ONLY
FIVE DAYS LEFT TO
SAVE $200!
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REGISTER NOW
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Early Registration closes at midnight, September 7, 2009.
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The right size for the story: paring down without messing up
My first draft told the story, but it was 430 words long--twice as long as would fit on the planned exhibit.
That was actually an improvement. My rough draft, the version no one sees, was ten pages of handwritten scribbles that kept circling the topic. It wasn't wasted effort; that writing helped me organize the information I'd gathered and figure out an effective theme: "This critter both exploits and suffers from habitats changed by people."
How to do radical word surgery without losing the story?
The easy answer to "How to edit?" is to delete anything that doesn't further the story. But it's all part of the story, I wanted to wail. It's all important, I whined to myself.
Well, yes, it's all important, but is it really all necessary for this specific story? Probably not.
So how do you decide what can go and what truly needs to stay?
Although my 430-word draft worked, it told more story than we needed to tell. The exhibit was modest in size and would contain the pelt, skull, lower jaw with teeth, and two photographs of the animal in question. My draft included a comparison between this critter's behavior, characteristics, and adaptations and another, related critter, along with a short (26 word) history of its home island. Interesting, useful information, but this exhibit doesn't have anything about that related critter. The history provided some nice context but that info is easily available elsewhere. In addition, the species comparison wasn't really necessary to illustrate how our critter of interest coped with a changing habitat. Come to think of it, we really only needed one example of how our featured critter exploits the habitat and suffers at the same time: it supplements its diet with people food, and people food damage its teeth.
And just like that, the draft is down to 169 words, and the example matches the exhibit.
To make sure that the paring down didn't mess up my story, I double-check the final draft with the theme: yep, it still works. Actually, the edited version works better--though I still wish I had found a way to keep the line about a diet of pizza, french fries, and chocolate.
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The Interpretive Writing Intensive is coming to Oregon House October 12!
Only five days left to save $200!
Early registration closes at midnight,
September 7, 2009
Register three or more people together and
save an additional $50 per person!
Join us for an ALL INCLUSIVE, 4-day/5-night workshop at beautiful Oregon House in Yachats, Oregon.
This highly interactive workshop is designed for interpreters who write. If you struggle with writing--if you wish your writing were more powerful, persuasive, and effective--if your creativity and efficiency could use a boost--if you want your writing to make a difference--then this is the workshop for you!
Arrive by Monday evening, October 12, 2009;
Workshop 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday through Friday;
Depart Saturday morning, October 17, 2009.
All Inclusive Price includes the workshop, lodging (5 nights) at Oregon House, and snacks and meals from Monday evening through Friday night.
Early Registration and Group Discounts: Register by September 7, 2009 and save $200! Register three or more people together and save $50 per person, no matter when you register. YES, You can combine discounts! Register 3 or more people by midnight, September 7, 2009 and save $250 per person.
Regular All Inclusive Price: $1490.00
Early Registration Price: $1290.00
Save another $50 when you register three or more people together!
REGISTER TODAY!
Register online or call Judy at 888/886-9289.
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The Interpretive Writing Intensive covers applying interpretive principles to writing--
and much more!
Freeman Tilden said interpretive writing should be "concise, focused, inspirational, and engaging." Lofty goals for any writer!
But not to worry--during the Interpretive Writing Intensive, we'll guide you through the challenges. You'll learn:
- What makes interpretive writing interpretive;
- How to create writing that connects with the reader;
- Techniques for strengthening language, including pacing, language use, and word choice;
- Strategies for organizing;
- How to write for any length or space;
- How to write for different media, different audiences, and different uses;
- How to write for maximum impact;
- How to write even if you think you can't;
- How to take your writing "off-site";
- Humble punctuation;
- Accessing--and improving--creativity (or, the Muse will visit if chocolate is involved);
- Dealing with writer's block (or, how to get the Muse to visit if you're out of chocolate);
- and MORE.
To ensure a quality experience with plenty of individual attention, workshop size is limited to 15 people. Registration is first-come, first-served.
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- 4-day workshop, all workshop materials and handouts, one thirty-minute individual consulting session, instructor review of one previously submitted writing sample;
- Lodging* at Oregon House from Monday evening through Saturday morning, Oct. 12-17, 2009;
- Meals and snacks from Monday evening through Friday evening, Oct. 12-16, 2009
All-inclusive registration: $1490.00 per person- Save $200 when you register by August 20, 2009.
- Register three or more people together and save $50 per person.
- COMBINE your discounts--register three or more people by August 20 and save $250 per person!
*Lodging is shared room; single premium available, please inquire for pricing.
For more details, including cancellation policy and payment options, please visit our web site.
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Please don't hesitate to contact me by phone (888/886-9289 or 970/416-6353) or email or through our web site if you have questions or need more information. I hope to see you in October at Oregon House!
Sincerely,
Judy Fort Brenneman
Greenfire Creative, LLC
P.S. Can't make it but know someone who might be interested? I'd be grateful if you'd forward the information. Thanks!
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