As a writer, I have always had "issues" with keeping it short.
Even going back to high school and college, homework assignments that required "writing a two-page essay" were never a problem because I couldn't come up with two pages; they were a problem because I rarely felt able to get everything I wanted to say crammed into just two pages.
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Word Limits and the Writing Life
Subsequently, my biggest challenge when it has come to writing for magazines, newspapers and web sites has been for me not to "go over" the required length limits. On many occasions, I have found myself going to bat with editors to run my 1300-word articles on a 1000-word assignment because the article was "thorough and complete."
I'm pleased to say that I "win" my case more often than not.
But I have never done well with "short."
In other words, you're never going to find me hoping to win one of those "50-word Flash Fiction" contests!
Sometimes I wonder just how I got to be so wordy.
Mountain sunset across the bay
In some ways, it may be related to the fact that I am a pretty quiet and reserved introvert. It's not uncommon for introverts to be extremely quiet in conversation, but "very talkative" in writing.
I think I am also motivated by the fact that most "short" web pages annoy me because they don't give me enough information on subjects I am researching. If I am trying to look up something, I don't want to have to visit 17 web pages to get the depth I am looking for, I want to go to one page. Short "fluff" just wastes my time... so I'm ultimately happy that Google has been cracking down on so-called "content mills."
I also recognize that I am a bit out in "left field" with this point of view.
There's a Time for Everything
I have had more than a few comments on articles and blogs to the effect that "it was LONG so I didn't read all of it." The dreaded "TL;DR" ("Too Long; Didn't Read") comment.
Snowy mountains through bare winter trees
Fair enough, I suppose-- we live in a world where everyone seems to be in a greater and greater hurry, and people "converse" in 140-character texts and tweets.
In principle, I have nothing against short articles IF they convey a complete and meaningful thought or concept. The "problem" I am having is that most don't, and they just come across as "meaningless filler;" a sort of Cliff's Notes version of a concept that was already written as Cliff's Notes to begin with.
Is that a harsh indictment of 90% of the world's web content? Maybe. But we each have the right to our opinions and perceptions, right?
Text Length... and Complaints... GRRR!
Where I get frustrated-- and outright angry-- are the many situations in which someone will "not read" (TL;DR) a thorough discussion of something... and then start in on a tirade about something that was explained perfectly in the text they "didn't have time" (or "couldn't be bothered") to read!
I'm sorry, but not only are you annoying me, but you're making yourself look like an ignorant idiot.
Yes, I am somewhat judgmental, in certain aspects of life... I admit it.
That said, I am trying to learn how to write short(er)-- but MEANINGFUL-- articles. "Meaningful" is important... because I truly despise "words that convey no content."
How About YOU? Are you a "short" or "long" writer? Are you into "summarizing" or "completeness?" As a reader, do long articles "annoy you," or do you prefer to get a lot of information? If you write professionally, do you often find yourself cutting the length of writing assignments-- or requesting permission to go over the limit? As a writer, I have always had "issues" with brevity. Leave a comment-- share your experiences-- start the conversation!
(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for Steemit)
(sarcasm...on)
TL;DR
(sarcasm...off)
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For that, sir, you get at 100% upvote.
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I like your comment..ha..ha.. short but...bull eyes :)
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Uhmm, such as my mate @tarazkp said. ¡I think you already know my answer too!
But crap! How much I'd like to learn & master the short-dry meaningful replies of @everittdmickey Zen Pinnacle of irony and sarcasm. LoL
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But the thing about Everitt is that he has built a large following around a super consistent style. Which is an awesome skill/practice to have, in terms of web content. Most users/readers (especially in the long run) follow certain people because they know what they are going to get, within a certain framework.
If he suddenly started writing florid prose about liberal sensitivities and emotional safe zones, most of his followers would go "DUDE! Did you drink the Kool-aid?" and head for the nearest exit....
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Hahaha yes. I would surely enjoy a ball and part of the other reading such suddenly sensitivities If he will dare to drink that kind of Kool-aid. :D
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Hello denmarkguy,
I feel your article lengths are great. We can't be responsible for people's attention spans these days. Personally, the more information the better; especially quality information.
You have a distinct pleasant writing style ... don't change!
Peace,
multiverse
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Thank you. I don't plan to change... And I don't think any of us should; it's a matter of simply sharing what seems like the right thing. Which might be 50 words. Or 5000.
One of the best pieces I've ever read on Steemit was also the longest: https://steemit.com/art/@arthuradamson/when-you-sell-a-painting-and-the-buyer-starts-to-cry-it-makes-you-wonder-what-art-really-means-and-why
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Hello denmarkguy,
Many, many thanks for sharing that article with me ... and yes I read and intensely enjoyed it all! It has such soul and depth ... A great reminder of what being human truly means.
Warm Regards,
multiverse
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Ok. well. Hmm. Where do I start? I think you know my answers :)
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Well, yes, I think I do.
I prefer starting at the beginning, and then keeping on till I get to the end. IF I get to the end... it could be the Never Ending Story.
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The end is never the end, until it is.
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If you keep telling a story long enough, it always ends the same...
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I like the longer posts that cover a topic more thoroughly, as long as they don't have filler. But I see here on Steemit that people are tending to the shorter 'nuggets' of information. So I'm trying a mix of shorter content and then longer form.
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Yeah... and I think it also depends some on your choices of subject matter. Telling a joke is as long as it is. Telling a story, or sharing a point is as long as it is. "Describing a forest" is incredibly open-ended... as are many "experientially based" topics... My own approach is definitely "tainted" by years of being a content creator in the age of "spun content" created for no purpose other than to gain Google search rankings. That stuff annoyed me SO much I'm almost allergic to "generalized filler."
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I am so glad that Google has found ways to deal with the "spun content". It was really crowding the search results for a while there. I like content, real content, too. And it irks me no end to see the exact same (or nearly the same) text in blog after blog after blog, where information or misinformation just gets passed around in the same way. It's a big problem in trying to find details about eating wild plants or unusual garden foods. I think that's why I emphasize my own experience with those things here on Steemit. Here's to real content!
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I like both. I think of it as art, and I tend not to diss another's art. To me, it just depends on my mood. Sometimes a quick read is perfect, sometimes I rather be immersed in something longer. Two writers I admire are Ben Franklin and Mark Twain. Both could get an entire concept across with a single witty sentence :)
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Agreed.
I tend to look at content from the perspective of "did it feel complete?"
A perfect Haiku can be "complete."
So can "War & Peace."
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What is your motivation for asking the question? Have you been criticized for not getting to the point or perhaps you're critical of others's verbosity! Would you be interested in co-writing a steemit short story? :) https://steemit.com/short-story/@arbutus/the-short-story-block-chain-experiment
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@arbutus, not specifically-- just the general experience of writing for the web and encountering a lot of site owners and content hosts who are more interested in theoretical "best lengths" than whether the content is actually any GOOD. And then being told things like
"We need you to write an article about the life and times of Sir Winston Churchill; you have 300 words!"
Me: "300... words?"
Them: "Yes, that's the length of online article research shows is most readable."
Me: "But to write about Churchill would take...."
Them: "Doesn't matter. We just need 300 words. Can you do it... or not?"
Me: "Bite me."
As for the short story, I like the idea... but fiction was never really my gig. But I'll still check it out.
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I scan through most everything. It is commendable that you write so many words. Google likes that too. I think I read you need at least 300 words. Good job!!
Oh I went back to your questions at the bottom. I do whatever I want. Haha.. keep up the good work. There is no rules I know of in here. You will do great is my belief for whatever that is worth.
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I start reading things... if they hold my attention, I tend to keep reading; if they don't, I usually switch to scanning/speed reading within a few sentences.
But you're quite right-- there are no fixed rules here, just a big social experiment!
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most expensive thing I ever did was to take a speed reading course..
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Like you, I prefer completeness. Yet I strive to balance completeness with brevity by making every word count. And when I look at something I've written in retrospect, I rarely am satisfied that I've achieved either. A wise person once said, it doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be done.
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I was taught something along thelines of that last statement in creative writing classes in college... by a professor who also answered the question "What does it take to become a published author?" with the words "The ability and tenacity to sit down and string together 75,000 words in some semblance of order and then beating people over the head with them till they capitulate and agree to publish them." In his world, talent was of little use, since only 2% of published work is of "literatue quality," anyway...
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I tend to be more like you I think. When I attempt a short answer, for example, I always feel like I'm leaving out something pertinent. That my response will be misunderstood unless I clarify why I said what I did. There definitely is a skill in choosing just the right words to convey a message briefly and accurately.
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A lot of times (with replies) I feel like I am being snippy or flip if I don't provide some context. I guess I am also a "survivor" of message boards where so much trolling and flaming is the result of someone giving a quick answer without explaining where they are coming from.
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I have really enjoyed your posts @denmarkguy as you really thoroughly cover the topic without dragging on. I love the topics that you choose and that you mix some of your own personal experience in with it.
I have a tendency to write long posts too--I guess I just feel I have so much to say that without some sort of foundation laid, would be leaving the reader with less than what I intended to share.
I am generally not a reader of really long posts, unless I feel there is something in it for me. If the content is great I'm glad that it is meaty. If the content sucks, then oh god please let it be short. Thank goodness we don't have to stick around for anything we aren't interested in, and can support those we feel have something of great value to share. I love rewarding a well-thought out post and am grateful to contribute to the conversation. I"d rather read a few powerful posts than a bunch of short diluted ones.
Thanks for the conversation. I appreciate your engaging approach.
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Long "essay-like" pieces definitely need to have worthy content, for me... otherwise it all just becomes "word soup." And then I get to speed reading them pretty quickly. And I'm certainly not suggesting that there aren't some good short posts... and certainly, Steemit also has some talented cartoonists whose work is "complete" without explanation.
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There are definitely some really amazing short posts and I am grateful for them. I too appreciate those who can speak with few words. Great post!
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It is like .... uhm... try to make understandable people with short word... sometimes It is quite difficult. Nice posting! :)
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For me, there is some challenge there... because Steemit is a global community, and for many English is not the first language. On the other hand, many of the online translators are now good enough that a reader who is having difficulty can just use a "translate page" function and get a quite good version in their own language.
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