Avoiding Overly Complicated Language
A common issue that writers face when experimenting with their work is the over-complication of words, or as I like to call it, flowery language. Have you ever been reading a text and found yourself tripping over a 20-cent word? Or having to stop, google, and then re-read the sentence to completely understand it? Well, unless you’re writing about floriculture, you’ll more than likely need help leaving that flowery language in the garden. That’s where I come in.
We, as writers, use our words to lay the foundations of worlds through metaphors, imagery, and allegory. The structure and depth of the world created relies heavily on the reader’s roots within their understanding of the text. Unfortunately, these roots are too often disrupted by unnecessarily complicated language.
When a single word jars a reader's understanding of a simple idea, how does it affect their interpretation? Or when a reader needs to keep a dictionary nearby just to keep track of what’s being read without tripping over what you have written? They stop reading. Even if only for a moment, the magic is lost and the reader’s roots begin to retreat.
Just as every beautiful garden needs flowers, writing is nothing without the power of language. Using adjectives and verbs not commonly seen can enhance the quality and credibility of your work when used correctly. Understanding the tone and target audience will help guide you into what is appropriate for your text. When revising your work, and you’re cutting away excess content or synthesizing ideas, ask yourself these simple questions to decide whether you should keep or cut a certain word;
Does the word choice disrupt the reader’s flow or rhythm?
Does it fit with the environment, suit the context or feel true to the character?
Is there anything that will be lost by using a more common phrase or word?
If you find yourself grasping for reasons to keep a certain word and coming up short, it might just be time to get pruning and cut those flowery words away.
