Active voice – Write on the World

As you work your way through the revise and refine phase of the novel writing process, it is best to start with big-picture revisions that affect your novel as a whole before homing in on the smaller elements of the manuscript. At the macro stage, you analyzed the overall plot, structure, pacing, and character arcs—making sure the story flows and resonates with the intended emotional beats. Now that those foundational issues are addressed, it’s time to zoom in and streamline the language within your story.

Eliminating redundancies is one of several ways you can streamline the language in your novel. Spelling errors COULD wait until the proofreading stage, but at this point, I say fix every typo you spot. Otherwise, one of them might slip through the cracks!

This means focusing on the rhythm of sentences, the clarity of language, and the precision of word choice. It’s where the magic of voice, tone, and style takes shape, making sure each paragraph serves its purpose in moving the story forward and engaging the reader. Streamlining language is one of the most powerful ways to improve your novel’s clarity, pacing, and impact. Refining language involves making your writing clear, concise, and effective, cutting unnecessary words, and choosing vivid, specific details.

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Do you use active language in your writing? Do your teachers occasionally tell you that your writing is too passive? Are you confused about what this means? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

One of my students told me last semester that her mom is an English teacher, and that she doesn’t even bother trying to teach the difference between active and passive voice to her students anymore because none of them ever “get it.” What a shame.

I wonder sometimes why passive voice is such an easy trap to fall into. After all, active sentences are typically simpler than passive sentences and require fewer words. Wouldn’t you think the brain would take the path of least resistance and lead the writer to write more active sentences? Apparently not. Continue reading “Active vs. passive voice: Why you should care” →