Spring Cleaning

It’s that time of year again, the time of renewal, rebirth, warmer weather. Spring. Flowers bloom, trees bud, birds build their nests and the always dreaded-spring cleaning.

For me it’s not just deep cleaning every square inch of our house, it’s also about organization and getting rid of chaos. Every March our community does its annual Spring Yard Sale, which helps put a deadline on this chore—I mean—tradition.

What does that mean to me?

It’s going through every nook and cranny in our house and garage and looking at all our possessions to determine if it still has relevance in our lives. A yes means it goes back on the shelf or in the closet. A no means it goes in the box labeled yard sale.

I don’t know about you, but I have a love-hate relationship with this time when decisions have to be made. Do I keep it? Or do I sell it or donate it if no one wants my used-once big name celebrity indoor grill. All I know is the item in question occupies valuable space in our home better suited for things we use once I can find them.

Spring cleaning is also necessary in my writing. Instead of getting rid of old appliances and clothing, I’m getting ready of unnecessary words. When I go through my closet and find jeans I know I’ll never fit into again, I need to ask myself if I should keep them? I must ask myself the same question while editing my manuscript. Do I need that word?

As you go through your manuscript, look for unnecessary or overused words and phrases. Determine if they are necessary or if a stronger verb or action conveys your meaning. Here are a few of mine, but this is far from the complete list of throwaway words.

Then, that, just, up, down, really, out, off, over, very, somewhat, somehow, suddenly definitely, certainly, probably, actually, and the dialogue tags; said, replied etc.

Removing these words strengthens my manuscript by increasing the pacing and action. It also presents a more polished product to my editor.

Creating a space without chaos is important in both my personal and professional life. I’m looking forward to the challenge of purging useless items and words and keeping only what I need. Now if only I could convince my children of that.