For forty days I wrote one sentence a day and posted it here. The only rules were to craft and edit a sentence until I liked it. It was simple, enjoyable and I learned some things:
- When the writer is the only judge her creativity soars;
- Procrastination guilt is greater when all that is required is one sentence;
- Trimming the excess reveals many weaknesses in one’s writing;
- A sentence can be written countless ways;
- The writer is her own worst critic;
- Word choice matters;
- Adjectives are clunky;
- Start simple. Don’t complicate first then edit to simplify. If you start simple you will notice your adjectives more (and will be more discerning in every way);
- Commas are a crutch. When in doubt, leave it out;
- One sentence can tell a story;
- Good ideas start with a sentence;
- Writing is more thrilling when the goal is to keep it short and simple;
- A writer can improve her craft one sentence at a time.