Cut the clutter: A guide to tightening your writing without losing meaning

You’ve finished a draft. Now comes the part that separates a decent draft from a polished manuscript: revision and self-editing. Many writers dread this stage because they fear “cutting too much” or losing their voice and the meaning of their work. But the truth is, careful tightening makes your writing clearer, sharper, and more impactful.

As an editor, the number one difference I observe between the manuscripts of beginner and experienced writers is the knowledge of how to trim to create a tighter, leaner narrative—to say only what needs to be said.

So if you're just getting started on revising, here's how you might approach trimming your manuscript without sacrificing substance.

1. Create distance

It’s nearly impossible to see bloat in your own sentences right after writing them. So step away for a few days—or even a few weeks if you can. When you return, you’ll notice redundancies, filler words, and sluggish passages more easily. Think of it as letting the manuscript “cool” so you can approach it with fresh eyes.

2. Hunt for redundancy and repetition

Writers often say the same thing twice, just in slightly different words.

For example:

❌ He nodded his head in agreement.

✔️ He nodded.

If the meaning survives without the extra phrase, trim it. This kind of redundancy can hide in description, dialogue, and exposition.

3. Cut filler words and phrases

Certain words add nothing but bulk. Common offenders: just, very, really, actually, in order to, began to, started to. Some of these are filler words and some are tentative language, which contributes to passive voice.

Example:

❌ She began to walk toward the door.

✔️ She walked to the door.

4. Consider sentence length

   
   

Long sentences aren’t "bad," but too many strung together can feel heavy and make it difficult for readers to follow action or a line of thought. Read the sentence aloud. If you run out of breath, or you lose the thread of where the sentence is going, it probably needs pruning or breaking up. Shorter sentences can sharpen impact and improve pacing. Depending on the mood/tone of the narrative, a mix of long and short sentences (sentence variability) can support changes in the narrative's pace and flow.

5. Replace weak verbs

Instead of adding more words, choose precise verbs.

❌ He ran quickly across the room.

✔️ He sprinted across the room.

A single strong verb can eliminate an adverb and make the sentence punchier. (Though it's not true that you should never use adverbs. Balance is needed!)

6. Trim stage directions

Readers don’t need to be told every move a character makes. Include only the action that matters for sensemaking and clarity.

❌ She stood up, walked over to the window, reached for the curtain, and pulled it aside.

✔️ She pulled the curtain aside.

Of course, you might use the first sentence to increase tension or slow the pace of a scene. There may be a deliberate reason to emphasize every action a character takes, but again, balance is necessary. Do this too much and readers will become frustrated; do this too little and readers may become confused by the lack of clarity.

7. Beware of overexplaining

Trust your reader. If you’ve shown a character slamming a door, you don’t need to add, "He was angry.” Cutting explanations forces the action and dialogue to carry meaning more effectively. To that end, take note of feedback from beta readers or other casual readers of your early drafts. If they're confused about a character's emotions, motives, or actions in a scene it might be that more explanation is needed.

8. Create a checklist

   
   

Before calling a draft done, run through a quick checklist:

• Can I say this in fewer words?

• Is this sentence repeating something already implied?

• Is every word pulling its weight?

• Does this scene advance character, plot, or theme?

  
  

Tightening a manuscript isn’t about stripping it bare—it’s about removing clutter so meaning and voice shine through. Think of it like sculpting: The raw block of marble contains the statue; your job is to chip away until the shape emerges. Cutting words is refinement. It will make a professional editor's work easier and result in a stronger narrative that keeps readers engaged.