Poetry Challenge #26-Take IT Away!

Quite often we use too many words to get our point across. Blah…blah…blah.

Filler words are like food—if we give some away, the calories don’t count!

We do the same thing when we write.

“Filler words” are the ummm and like and well and wah-wah-wah….the space holders we click when we’re thinking.

Unlike when we talk, when it comes to our writing, we can go back and cut the fat.

Time to put our poems on a diet!

We’re going to do some math today. Do I hear a yeah?

Don’t worry…it will be simple.

Just do one step at a time!

Poetry Challenge #26

Take it Away!

Pick one of your poems. Count the words in the poem.

Divide that number by 4 (round up if it’s not even).

Take away (delete!) that many words.

Set the Timer for 7 Minutes

Ready! Set!

Subtract!

Reread your poem aloud. How does it sound?

If you’re game: See if you can’t take away even more words…. say 10% more.

For more on Filler Words, maybe way too much more, here’s Smart Blogger with “298 Useless Filler Words that Rob Your Writing of Its Power.”  

The best part is, that ummmm, along with the words come, like, suggestions for better choices. I know…just…well…

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**Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge at least 2800 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole dang poem. Scroll down and click on the comments!

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