Embracing Minimalism While Writing to Excess – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter

minimalism-had-to-be-born-not-out-of-a-mere-spur-of-the-moment-idea-or-yearning-for-a-new-lifestyle-but-from-an-earnest-desire-and-fervent-need-to-rethink-our-lives.-fumio-sasak

I was born organized, neat, and tidy. And while I enjoy a comfy cozy environment, I am more minimalistic than others living in my house. My mother tells stories of how, as a small child, I would precisely arrange my toys on my shelf. Heaven forbid if she helped to put them away and placed them in the wrong spot. A closet with evenly spaced hangers and clothes arranged by sleeve length and color calms my soul. And I have never “lost” a sock in the laundry.

My tendencies influence my reading and writing preferences. Flowery work makes my eyes glaze. I get disoriented, overwhelmed by the superfluous words swirling in my head, and I miss the story’s point. Vocabulary and etymology are a passion, which helps enrich and expand the nuances of a tale. There is a fine line between using a rich word, and a pretentious one. When in doubt, I force myself to opt for the simpler and more accessible option.

The economy of words, lets the story sing and gives the reader space for their imagination. In a month dedicated to accumulating 50,000 words, it is tempting to add fillers, unnecessary words, sentences, paragraphs, and tangents to reach the goal. The frantic pace can lead to excesses, and I challenge you to pause and consider how to best serve your novel.

Where are you on the minimalist scale?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

12 thoughts on “Embracing Minimalism While Writing to Excess – Daily Quote”

  1. Half way – I do like having a good clear out and minimalism can let in the light – literally. When we had a tiny conservatory built on to the dining room the window was replaced by a patio door. By happy coincidence daughter and son-in-law had bought a house and had no furniture. Off went the dark dining table and bookshelves and piano. Gothic was replaced by a garden room, yellow walls, pale green woodwork- nothing but table and chairs and big pot plants – it is so relaxing.

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  3. In my life, there is clutter. But I know where things are. Does that sound dissembling? When reading, I prefer a minimalist style. Nouns, verbs, factual descriptors. The occasional powerful, unnecessary word or phrase. When writing–and I haven’t really thought about it, which is why your questions are so good–I think I try to go for the same.

    This is a fetching narrative of yours and helpful. Learning about a lifestyle I don’t have but in parts I’d like to have.

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    • Balancing the line between clutter and chaos is a continuing struggle. No matter how much clutter, like you, I always know where everything is.

      I am delighted you find my ramblings helpful. I know it is time for me to unload some stuff. I hope you have a wonderfully productive day. ❤

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  4. I smiled when you mentioned how you hang your clothes even by sleeve length! I wish I could be a little more like that. I think you are right, you are born with that sense of organization. I have two daughters and one of them, not by my teaching, was extremely organized all by herself. I mean, I thought her some things, but she took it to a different level like you do. 🙂

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