At 5 feet tall, I’m shorter than most Christmas trees, filing cabinets, refrigerators (I never see their tops without a stool), arcade machines, and the average moose. Maybe that’s why I have an affinity for things that are compact and efficient—I like difficult conversations to be brief and honest, cozy spaces to be snug, and movies to not drag on longer than necessary. And when it comes to writing, I believe the best sentences pack a punch with as few words as possible.

Trim the Fluff

Good writing should move. The reader shouldn’t get bogged down in fluff. Keep it simple, Sally—your audience will thank you. When I edit, I strip away excess while preserving the author’s voice. It’s a balancing act, but it makes for sharper, more engaging prose.

Take today’s project: a fast-paced novel about a woman fleeing the clutches of a Russian oligarch. The story is exciting, so the writing needs to be just as swift. That’s why I trimmed this sentence:

❌ All in all, the scene was Gothic, and momentarily, Ekatarina reconsidered her intentions.
✅ The scene was Gothic, and Ekatarina hesitated.

Improve the Flow

The revision isn’t necessarily a work of literary art, but it keeps the story moving. Another editor might tweak it further, but this author prefers a light touch—just enough tightening to improve the flow.

Lesson of the day? Keep it short—like me. No need to clutter your story with unnecessary words.