Ah, Passive Writing. One of the most common problems that plague newer authors.
What is Passive Writing?
Passive writing is an audience-distancing problem that can make a story seem dull and prevents the reader from becoming fully engaged in what’s happening to the characters. It occurs when the subject of the sentence is not actively doing the action, but rather having the action done to them. It’s like the narrator is imposing itself between the reader and what’s happening on the page instead of the reader watching directly.
There are times when using passive voice is called for, especially when used in dialogue.
How Can I Avoid Passive Writing?
One of the main ways to avoid passive writing is to use active voice. In active voice, the subject of the sentence is doing the action. For example, “The dog bit the boy,” is written in active voice, while “The boy was bitten by the dog,” is written in passive voice. Active voice makes the writing more direct and lively, and makes it easier for the reader to follow the action.
Another way to avoid passive writing is to use strong verbs. Instead of using weak, generic verbs like “is,” “was,” or “were,” use verbs that are specific and descriptive. For example, instead of saying “The man was walking,” say “The man strode through the streets.” This not only makes the writing more interesting, but it also makes the action more vivid and immediate.
Try to be specific with the nouns and pronouns. Instead of using vague or generic nouns and pronouns like “it” or “they,” be specific about who or what is doing the action. For example, instead of saying “It was decided,” say “The committee decided.” This makes the writing more clear and helps the reader understand who is taking the action.
Avoid using passive constructions when describing an action. Instead of saying “The door was opened by him,” say “He opened the door.” This makes the writing more direct and lively.
Assuming you’re going to be hiring an editor, save yourself some time and money by clearing out the passive junk.