I've always been a concise writer. It's my style. I've had problems in the past writing enough words to meet story competition criteria. They want 1300-1500; my story's finished at 900. I fill it out with waffle and hence I don't win.
I'm not good at descriptive writing. My writing is sparse perhaps?
I was thinking about this when we were walking. I write my blog posts carefully, often composing them in my head before I get anywhere near a computer. But, sometimes, I wonder if I say enough. I know what I mean but is it clear to a reader?
In an earlier post I wrote about newspaper headlines. I finished the post with one word: Nice. I know what I meant by that but should I have explained it more?
I could have said this.
I am disgusted with both the press and the mother. The press because Diana is dead but her sons are alive; the mother because if her daughter were a whore maybe it was because she was searching for the love that had been missing from her life from her childhood onwards.
Is that what you read into my 'Nice'?
8 comments:
That's exactly what I read into it, Liz. When I taught writing to my school kids, I always told them that sometimes more is too much and less is just right. I feel it's good to keep 'em wanting more. So no need to worry or question yourself - it's your style - and I for one enjoy it. So there! ;D
Yes, that "nice" pretty much said it all. I have the opposite problem - I blather on. I have had to learn how to be concise!
You are in good company; after all, Hemingway wrote very plainly without a lot of description. I'm more like Dickens I guess!
Absolutely, with just the right tone I think. Nothing wrong with sparse writing. You certainly are not sparse in output here.
Loquacity bores.
So you compose in your head before you write, eh? Me, I just sit down and let whatever's in my head flow thru my fingers onto the computer screen. I dunno if it's good or bad, but the results suit me most of the time. Everyone has their own style, their own voice, in writing. I think mine comes out exactly as it's "wording up" in my head. I have the luxury of being a fast typist so the thoughts don't have time to build up as a log jam in my brain. I'm sometimes too wordy. Sometimes not. Depends on the mood I'm in, I guess. But you, Liz...the reason I stop here on an almost-daily basis is because I LOVE your style. Your sense of humor, your dry wit, amuses me to no end. And I have no trouble reading between the lines...you get your point across just fine.
I like your writing style, too.
And yes, that's exactly what I read into your "nice". Totally agree.
On the Hemingway note...
This might be legend thrice removed but Hemingway is supposed to have said this was his best story.
"For sale: baby shoes, never worn."
That's a concise story.
Maria, I've heard that story too. Heartbreaking, isn't it?
Thank you all. I read and enjoy your various styles too!
Now I have to look up 'loquacity'! Right, okay, thank you.
Post a Comment