Plain, concise writing is difficult to master. Some even frown upon it. Perhaps that’s why so many authors write that they “find themselves” doing one thing or another. Maybe that phrasing is in your writing as well.
While it sounds fine enough, this kind of sentence structure is problematic. Why? Here are three reasons.
1. It’s Too Wordy
Here at Argyle Fox Publishing, we believe that tight writing is good writing. Anytime your writing mentions that you “found yourself” doing something, those are extra words.
Cut them out. You’ll save words, which help readers stay engaged.
2. You’re a Professional Writer
When you were in high school, every writing assignment was a challenge: How many empty words could you cram into a single sentence without the teacher noticing? In those years, you mastered the art of saying as little as possible with as many words as possible.
Writing a book, however, is not a high school English project. There is no teacher looking to ensure your essay fills two whole pages and you don’t have to hit a certain word count, so stop jamming in extra words. That includes “I found myself.”
3. Most of the Time, It’s a Lie
When you say “I found myself,” you can mean one of two things.
- You returned from a wilderness excursion in which you realized what you value over all else. This is “finding yourself.” If you “find yourself” in this sense while dancing alone in Paris, then write it. That said, this likely isn’t what you mean when you state that you “found” yourself dancing alone in Paris. What you really mean is “I was dancing alone in Paris.” Even better, “I danced alone in Paris.” So, say that.
- You lost consciousness for a period of time, only to awaken while dancing alone in Paris. In this case, it could be said that you “found yourself” dancing alone in Paris. But that’s something of a stretch. Edit: That’s a substantial, unbelievable stretch.
Simply said, if you want to tighten up your writing and improve your storytelling, stop writing that you “found” yourself walking down the street. Unless you wake up from a stupor or coma, you don’t find yourself doing things. Sure, you “find yourself” by going on a three-year backpacking trip in the Alps. But you don’t find yourself walking down the street. You walk down the street.
Want your story tight and clear? Submit your manuscript to Argyle Fox Publishing for consideration. If we choose to work with you, we’ll make sure your story shines.