The 3 Main Benefits of Writing With Brevity
1. Shorter Word Count
Brevity inevitably contributes to a shorter word count, something that, for better or worse, is becoming more and more of a necessity in today’s fast-paced world. In fiction, every word—every punctuation mark, for that matter—counts.
2. More Vivid Word Choice
When you start chopping extraneous words, you’re forced to select verbs and nouns that are as colorful and powerful as possible.
3. Deepen Subtext
In writing with brevity, you will sweep your excess verbiage out of the way, allowing subtlety to flex its substantial muscles, as attested to by Hemingway’s explanation of his writing as an iceberg: 9/10 of it remain underwater:
If a writer knows enough about what he is writing about, he may omit things that he knows. The dignity of movement of an iceberg is due to only one ninth of it being above water.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with luxurious paragraphs of complicated phrasings and lush word choices. No one says you must use the fewest words in every sentence. In fact, doing so would rob prose of much of its beauty and power.
Variety is the spice of fiction as much as it is life. As such, it’s important to realize the punch and necessity of short, power-packed phrasings. They are a vital tool in your writing arsenal.
