I much prefer the first to the other two - it's concise, punchy and gets the point across.
The third, though.... hmmmm, okay, it's a story; it's interesting, it's got my attention - and a beginning, a middle and an end. It's pretty good, but I prefer the first. Bish, bash and jolly well bosh.
Reading the third made me need a lie-down partway through - it was an exhausting read!
It wasn't yours, Nathan! It was one of those pieces that contained lots of fancy words that were neither necessary nor correct. Anyway, your analysis is spot on. Number 2 is out, 1 is passable, but 3 is my favourite, as it is not too ordinary but not too over-the-top either!
I hate to say it but there's so much drivel on the internet. Sometimes I start reading something that is "popular" and have a hard time reading it. Then I wonder if I am living in the wrong age or any standard is now moot.
I like several styles. If the goal it to directly communicate an idea then of course it's number 1. Yet I adore some writers who can lead me down a wandering stream and illicit emotional reactions. The writers who can do that are few and I would put them in a different category. In a way they are poets of prose. Some very thick writing is worth the effort in spades. Most is tiresome.
"wandering stream"?. Yes, I suppose so. I have a great liking for prose poetry myself. I think I'm thinking more of particular writers, the ones who use "praxis" instead of "practice", and "perambulating" rather than "walking" (except in the case of Mr Micawber!)
I prefer underwritten to overwritten. Sometimes in humor I make the mistake of writing "so" or "really" but they can be appropriate when writing in a conversational style.
I am SO (haha) book picky. I rely on my sister and ma for recommendations.
:-) Underwritten, mas you put it, is definitely preferable in my opinion: subtle, understated, leaving stuff unsaid. You are SO righht about the use of "so" and "really". Seriously, REALLY. <snigger>
I re-read your previous article on this topic and appreciated it just as much! A great review. In this one, example two made my eyes cross and roll up into my head. To recover from the third example, I had to lie down, put on my "soft rain" CD and rest a while. However, I will add that when I read your sentence beginning with " A substack post popped into my mail box this morning..." I broke out in a sweat fearing it was one of mine. I promise I will try harder.... ha ha ha!
Gosh, this is fascinating!
I much prefer the first to the other two - it's concise, punchy and gets the point across.
The third, though.... hmmmm, okay, it's a story; it's interesting, it's got my attention - and a beginning, a middle and an end. It's pretty good, but I prefer the first. Bish, bash and jolly well bosh.
Reading the third made me need a lie-down partway through - it was an exhausting read!
The third or the second made you want to lied own?
The third. It was just, well, a bit much.
Such a philistine <sigh>
🤣
(Hope it wasn't my piece you were referring to ... ... 😶😆)
I think you likely know my feelings on more floral and poetic writing, which I feel has a place but not always.
#1 was clear-cut. #2 was overblown drivel. But I actually quite like #3!
Also, I know how much you detest this way of writing with full stops: "He. Was. Dirt. Poor." So it could never be that one. ;)
It wasn't yours, Nathan! It was one of those pieces that contained lots of fancy words that were neither necessary nor correct. Anyway, your analysis is spot on. Number 2 is out, 1 is passable, but 3 is my favourite, as it is not too ordinary but not too over-the-top either!
Thanks for enlightening us.
I hate to say it but there's so much drivel on the internet. Sometimes I start reading something that is "popular" and have a hard time reading it. Then I wonder if I am living in the wrong age or any standard is now moot.
drivel is a good word for it. Blimey, I hope mine doesn’t fall into that category!
The bar is low but terrifyingly real. Blimey is also a good word. I wouldn't be reading your posts if I thought they were bad.
:-) I agree about the bar level!
I'll say #1 since it's the only one I got through. ;)
Fair enough 😁
Hope it wasn’t mine, sir! #1 is acceptable.
If had been, I would no longer be a subscriber, so worry not!
I like several styles. If the goal it to directly communicate an idea then of course it's number 1. Yet I adore some writers who can lead me down a wandering stream and illicit emotional reactions. The writers who can do that are few and I would put them in a different category. In a way they are poets of prose. Some very thick writing is worth the effort in spades. Most is tiresome.
"wandering stream"?. Yes, I suppose so. I have a great liking for prose poetry myself. I think I'm thinking more of particular writers, the ones who use "praxis" instead of "practice", and "perambulating" rather than "walking" (except in the case of Mr Micawber!)
Micawber is the man!
😁
I prefer underwritten to overwritten. Sometimes in humor I make the mistake of writing "so" or "really" but they can be appropriate when writing in a conversational style.
I am SO (haha) book picky. I rely on my sister and ma for recommendations.
:-) Underwritten, mas you put it, is definitely preferable in my opinion: subtle, understated, leaving stuff unsaid. You are SO righht about the use of "so" and "really". Seriously, REALLY. <snigger>
I re-read your previous article on this topic and appreciated it just as much! A great review. In this one, example two made my eyes cross and roll up into my head. To recover from the third example, I had to lie down, put on my "soft rain" CD and rest a while. However, I will add that when I read your sentence beginning with " A substack post popped into my mail box this morning..." I broke out in a sweat fearing it was one of mine. I promise I will try harder.... ha ha ha!
Haha! I can't remember whose newsletter it was, but it definitely wasn't yours.
Phew!
🤣