• simple little words and lines

               

               Sometimes less is more than enough

Many writing assignments, especially for magazines (real and virtual) begin with, "Can you give us 800 words on...?" Word count is preeminent in an editor's mind, but the last thing we scribblers think about. I never think about word count till the very end. With one particular editor who was very particular about word count I wrote exactly the number requested, plus ONE word. Neener, neener, neener.
    Today I wrote a piece for an online publication to promote my workshops at a conference next February. They requested 500 to 600 words.  Since it's writers conference (Writing for the Soul) and everyone there is a writer I gave them 609 words – every word GOLD. They'll edit, or not.   
    Mark Twain, the source of many of my favorite wise and witty sayings, once ended a lengthy letter to a friend with a post scriptus saying he would have written a shorter letter, but he didn't have time.
    If you have ever written even a post card home from summer camp you know what old Sam Clemens (Mr. Twain) was wrestling with. Economy of words is an art, crafted over time. Less often is more.
    I was delighted last week when my mailbox, No. 144, had a puffy Little envelope stuffed into it. Therein, a new book, simple little words. My very creative friends Michelle Cox and John  Perrodin have crafted a book full of great short stories around the the theme (and subtitle) what you say can change a life. On page 35 you'll find my story of meeting Walt Disney, and having a great one-on-one conversation with him I was  just thirteen.  (Actually three days before my fourteenth birthday.)
    There are more than three dozen simple stories by and about people from Truett Cathy (founder of Chick-fil-A), best-selling author Karen Kingsbury, and film producer, Ken Whales (Amazing Grace.) It is delight-filled reading that you can open to any page and begin reading that story without starting from the beginning of the book. Lots of great quotes throughout. Bonus: the books website [HERE] has a study guide with great questions and simple exercises for every chapter in the book, FREE!
    And...for the first time in my life, I made it on to the companion bookmark!
    Simplicity and economy also work with visual arts.
    My long-time friend, Steve Bjorkman, has another hit book out. Steve created the cover art and all the page-filling illustrations for Jeff Foxworthy's (Are you Smarter Than a Sixth Grader?) new book for kids, Dirt On My Shirt. Steve and I sat next to each other in Mrs. Phillips' art class in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. We did cartoons for the school papers and yearbooks, at two schools we attended. We have remained friends for four decades. I have a favorite drawing Steve dashed of of me that I am using in my brainstorming book. You've seen his work in EIGHTY picture books, scores of magazines, and innumerable greeting cards by Bjorkman Bros. (Carl is his wing man.)
    Steve is a master of the simple line with powerful effect.
    Whatever you are working on right now, consider keeping it simple. Don't over work. Every great painter and sculptor (and many authors and composers) died with grand, unfinished masterpieces in their studio, loft or bottom draw.
    My uncle Paul was a an artist (printmaking) and Dean of Art Education at California State University, Sacramento. He always said to young art teachers, "The trick is helping students STOP painting. Don't over work it."

Simply, mcnair

Comments

[Withheld due to contractual obligations and other silly notions]

I had the distinct pleasure of interacting with you just the other day. Reading your latest post only confirms that you are officially one of my favorite people breathing our atmosphere.

Thank you for the card, I'll be keeping it next to my computer as a reminder.

[Tom Burger]

Great post for all of us 'aspiring writers'.

Maybe a bit wordy though ;)

[Nutster]

Nice!

(I probably should have edited out the exclamation point...I debated for an hour on that and said, "No, it really needs to be there.)