Dear World

Please Kill Me,

Greetings and happy Tuesday my league of literary laureates. (Yes, I do have an addiction to alliteration #Don’tJudge #FirstStepIsAcceptance). How’s the week going thus far? If my magic 8 ball is correct – then you must “Stop at go” (I may be doing this wrong). In any case it’s good to have you back (and that ends the pandering portion of this post) – with that said, let’s get to it.

Reduction (otherwise known as  *-THIS PORTION OF THE JOKE HAS BEEN CENSORED BY POLITICAL CORRECTNESS* – I don’t mean to be rude by saying that, but you gotta admit….it’s true).

As writers we have a natural proclivity to detail. If we’re honest with ourselves we know that many a first draft have been cut nearly in half – due to the amount of unnecessary detail.

For the non-writer’s in the bunch (you, know those here for the d*ck jokes) – you should know that chopping a story down for sheer digestibility is (for a writer anyway ) a pain not dissimilar to taking an ax to the taint. (Sorry, for that image).

Despite the pain that comes with this necessity- it does have it’s benefits outside of increasing marketability. As much as I hate to say it (and trust me I do) the market has assisted in driving writers in the proper direction – pertaining to the way in which we present our works.

When we “chop down” or reduce our writing – we are forced to only state the necessary. What this does is provide the author an opportunity to create tension, suspense, build emotion, and break into catalytic moments – that would be impossible to achieve – should we have included the detail of the story that we (as the authors know). Once again, (it sucks) but yes, as far as creating a pathway for the necessary expansion of reductionism-the market has helped us to evolve not only in style and delivery, but conceptualization as well.

*Yes, less is more. But when you start with “more” learning to write less- whilst retaining the magnitude of the story is a skill that has developed as a direct correlation to the lessened structure of the story.*

How does the old authorial (and annoying) writer’s saying go?

*hopes you realize that was rhetorical*

“Show, don’t tell” – by learning to “cut the fat” from our story – or practicing “reduction” – we will inevitably develop the ability to simply write less while saying more. It comes with practice, but trust me – your fans and writing style will be greatly appreciative and improved (respectively, of course. You can’t really “improve” your fans…..Or can you???)

*googles steroids*

*attempts to find your address*

*distracted by cat video*

Anyway, it’s something to think about. Overwriting can be a pain on both the author and the reader. So keep it simple, learn to hold back on that BIG MOMENT, and if you can’t play by those rules – then simply change the game. That’s how this whole writing thing evolved, and it’s the way that it will continue to evolve.

Take it or leave it, but it’s something to think about.

Now go beat Tuesday like it owes you money.

Reductively Yours,

-Antwan Crump.