Don't Let "It" Ruin Your Writing

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 What is the meaning of it? 

When you write in a hurry, it finds a way into sentences too often. What is it? What does it mean? Readers want to know. Readers want writers to limit it, so they can experience what it doesn’t show them.

Most of the time, it is just a place marker. This two-word pronoun sits in for the real noun like a stunt double stands in for a movie star. Let me give you some examples.

I can see it from here? (What is out there?)

I can see the big dipper and the little dipper from my backyard. (See how the sentence creates an image when you replace it with something concrete?)

I can see the tornado from my window. (This paints vivid picture, doesn't it?)

I can see the lion on the tree branch.

Here’s another example:

You’re going to get it. (What?)

You’re going to get a black eye? Or perhaps a promotion. Or perhaps a hot fudge sundae. Maybe you’re going to get a big wet kiss from your chihuahua when you get home.

Or how about this?

He didn’t like it. (What didn’t he like?)

He didn’t like the liver and onions we had for dinner.

He didn’t like his wife flirting with the neighbor.

He didn’t like scooping cat poop from the litter box.

He didn't like her bad breath. 

When it is replaced with something that can be seen, touched, smelled, heard, or tasted, the reader imagines the experience. These thoughts create feelings. Readers want to feel something. If they don’t, they might not connect with your writing.

There are times when it can stay. For example, in dialogue too much description might sound forced and unnatural. There are no set rules, but when editing your story, double check the writing. You might be surprised how often it slipped in. 

I hope you found this post helpful. Whatever you do, keep writing.