Less is More (My Unusual Writing Style)
I was challenged by one of our members (Wayne) in the comments thread from my post this morning to write about Less is More. I think he had the thought of writing about productive writing. So I thought I would take him up on the challenge.
One of the hardest things I have had to learn is brevity in writing. (Perhaps I should say I am learning. Because I have a difficult time being brief.) I try to anticipate what my readers will think and feel as they read what I am sharing and then I try to write content that will effectively convey the ideas I wish to share. I try to remember that I have readers with different language backgrounds and beliefs and the cliches and metaphors we use in English may not be clear in another culture or language. So I try to be thorough in explaining anything that I think will be unclear. Being brief in doing this I have discovered is not the simplest thing to do. But practice makes perfect so I will continue to practice.
There are two images that are rather abstract that I like to consider in my writing.
First is that of a dancer. Keep in mind I don't dance, the forms and techniques of dancing are not something I can speak to as an authority. But I try to make it a dance. In the comments threads; when you lead, I follow. When I make a move or suggest something I try to be clear about my intentions (my steps) so you will not trip over my clumsiness.
Second is that of a painter. But when writing we use words and figures of speech to paint a picture. We can include sounds and other senses in describing the scene. We can add warm 'colors' or cold. Our words are powerful things. So as I write I try to paint a picture that will be enjoyable to 'view'.
I know these are very abstract ideas but that is how I write. I'm sorry Wayne if this is no help to you. It certainly is not Less -- I have a hard time with Less. Often I paint a picture and the form and shape of it comes out looking entirely different than the way I saw it in my head. It is usually much More than I intended to write.
The best advice I think I can give on writing is just that you have fun doing it. And express your soul in what you write being cognizant of the need to connect with your reader. So we have to sometimes translate what is in our minds for our readers. That is it. That is the best advice I can come up with on writing.
If this really odd and abstract way of writing helps you I would certainly love to read about it below. Or if you have a completely different way of writing share that too. I would love to read about what you do.
Thanks friends and kind regards,
Carl
Recent Comments
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I feel like we are similar in that way. Most of the times, I write (or talk) probably a little more than I need to. But in my opinion, whats wrong with putting too many words down? if someone is passionate about wanting to learn about something, they will read through and ignore the words that might not have been needed. Just my opinion.
I agree in principle Steven but sometimes less can be more. We must also leave room for the reader's perception and imagination. Knowing how and when to this can create even greater impact in readers' minds.
If we are creating a detailed description for effect sure but other stuff can be left alone sometimes...
My $ worth:)))
David
PS I think what I say is worth more than 2 cents :)
Thank you for commenting. I definitely agree with that, I have actually been told that at work as well. Sometimes when I send out emails they get shortened a little bit before getting sent to everybody else. For those that have a little bit less of an interest, they can get lost in the wording and lose interest.
That's right! After all, we are writing for others to read, not for ourselves in this context!
David
We are who we are Carl. There is no mistaking that. I know sometimes I even tend to stretch things out, but your approach is spot on. I believe that we all try to express ourselves in the best way we can. This, we hope leads to a clear and concise message that we want to extend to others. I also agree with putting yourself in the readers shoes to sense what they will or how they will react.
Firstly, don't listen to anything that Wayne has to say! (I am joking friends, he's sound!).
In my eye's that picture is beautiful and I don't know why it is but that's not really that important today. In one months time I may not have the same reaction to it? It can be the same with writing.
Take Mr Bean (Rowan Atkinson), he touched hearts across the world and he made billions smile - laugh, he never spoke a word. The odd uuurrrgh may be.
Different styles of writing for different situations, it's all acceptable. Just a few minutes ago I read a post from the member MKearns (a good read), talks about steps of communicating with your audience and building rapport. He calls it "Webites more than reporting", I note websites without the 's' and he attracts a great following. Some good info from him as well.
Write in a style that suits you and if you connect with your audience, you have cracked it.
An excellent read, thank you Mr Dill. Keep on Dancing! Fun Fun Fun!
Wayne
Thank you Wayne. Great feedback. Yeah that Wayne character seems like an okay guy. You should follow him here. You might learn some tricks. :0)
Curiouos observation. One of your posts and I cannot recall which one, I commented on. Since I tend to be longwinded, it was likely a lengthy comment I made. You replied to my comment and your reply to me included the instruction "No need to reply".
I was very curious about that comment. Sort of felt as if maybe you were politely letting me know it would be annoying if I did reply further. Following your instruction, I did not reply further, albeit I would have if you had not suggested for me not to. Maybe I misunderstood your comment to me, who knows...but I got the "Less is more" message vibe.
Not a slam at all so please don't take it that way. I just thought it curious to comment instructing me not to reply further as I thought most posters like to have as many comments as they can get, good, bad or ugly ( or at least as long as they are not derrogatory, political, religious or otherwise generally offensive).
I do read your posts but I do not always comment on them via your prior instruction to me, I am very selective about it. LOL!
Happy New Year! You're obviously doing great at #28! Keep on keeping on!
I am sorry I never meant for it to sound like I was asking you to not reply. I often say that when a question is rhetorical or if I feel like I am using a lot of someone's time in frequent dialogue. It is my way of 'letting them off the hook' of needing to respond. But I will rethink that comment. Thank you for the insight. and I did not mean to confuse.
Not a problem at all! Thanks for explaining your reasons! But I don't get offended too easily and I was actually not offended if you had meant it that way....it was just a "duly noted" moment on what not to do...
I am cursed or maybe blessed with being abundantly aware that I am way too long winded and I have to contstantly work at the "Less is more" model of doing things, which I strongly believe in as long as it is NOT Me doing the talking! ;-)
You are perfectly fine...and I completely understand now what you meant. No apology necessary. Your posts are always informative, enlightening and I as well as others appreciate you sharing part of your life with us! It is what makes the big wide world go round!
Again, thanks for clarifying you weren't deterring me from commenting at all though, as I do like to engage in bantar whenever possible! (In a good way)!
Take care and break loose with MORE for the New Year!
Great read Carl. I am not sure that Wayne's expectations were met by your own admission.:)).
However, I follow you loud and clear.
You have a great approach to writing. For me, after getting a theme, I follow my heart and the fingers do the rest.
Afterwards, I edit out any redundancies etc.
I heard somewhere, "don't write anything that is not necessary," People understand a lot more than we think...So I look for any words to trim and try to keep a train of thought for the reader to flow. That's it.
David
Your advice on writing is solid Carl. That's the whole idea anyway. Have fun while painting beautiful pictures and weaving our concepts and ideas in the mind of the readers to keep them engaged. The true test of a great writer such as yourself.
David
Fun writing or doing anything will always work for your readers, this is one tip I will keep in mind, thank you for this beautiful post, Carl.
I am glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for that kind compliment. Writing is one of the most enjoyable things to me. It is really neat to be able to express ourselves in text and type.
Thank you Jared. I really appreciate that. it is not easy to bare your soul and make yourself vulnerable to the opinions of others. But that of course is what each of us who are online writers do.
I have never thought of myself as vulnerable? Is that arrogant maybe? I don't know. Challenge the reader maybe but don't we write for the reaction, for the opinion? Willingly vulnerable? LOL. You have me thinking.
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Hi Carl,
I read what you all said. I take it on board that we can all learn to write from the heart, some will appreciate it and some won't.
That's O.K. too, we can't all be too sensitive or we wouldn't write what we want.
I believe I'm direct, gotta watch I don't step on toes lol
Love Jae
Great! Thanks Jae