I
recently engaged in an intense conversation with a colleague at work regarding
writing styles. My colleague went on to talk about famous authors and their
intricate, flowery and maybe more than specific writing styles. Most authors
use really big words and powerful imagery while others choose to use complex,
poetic sentences which usually fly over the average reader’s head faster than a
bee with a jetpack. Yes, these authors are well-education and well-versed in
their use of the language they chose. I am sure, to make their work look more
polished, they often do write in a complex and sometimes, non-coherent lingo. This
was pretty much the nature of our discussion. It got me thinking… Yes! Writing
is an art but is it really necessary to make it complex with big, fancy words
and intense imagery?
As an author, a writer, a poet or whatever it is that you’d usually like to identify yourself with, there is always a message or an expression you wish to portray through your work. Logically, this ‘expression’, in short, your ‘work’, should never be limited only to a certain class of readers. More avid or seasoned readers will prefer reading books that are well-garnished with the aforementioned qualities of complexity, structure and verbosity but what about a majority of readers who prefer simple, lucid language? … even first time readers for that matter. As an author, shouldn’t your aim be to get your message, the feelings, emotions and the idea out to as many people as possible? The problem with using complex, extravagant words is that most people find it difficult to comprehend what you try to portray. If people cannot understand what you write, then your message is lost. It was one of the most valuable lessons I learned over the years - If one uses simple, lucid language, it makes it easier for the majority to understand. Screw critics and what they have to say; simple language can go a long way in getting an idea out. For people to understand what you are trying to say, you must be clear.
So I gave up explaining scenes in great detail… I seldom use complex sentences. As a writer, I want my words to be understood. I do not want my readers to sit with a dictionary while reading what I have written. Communication was meant to be lucid. When I write, I try to communicate with my readers. I do not want my work to leave even a shred of doubt on my reader’s mind. That’s my aim from now on - To be simple and lucid while effectively getting an idea across!
As an author, a writer, a poet or whatever it is that you’d usually like to identify yourself with, there is always a message or an expression you wish to portray through your work. Logically, this ‘expression’, in short, your ‘work’, should never be limited only to a certain class of readers. More avid or seasoned readers will prefer reading books that are well-garnished with the aforementioned qualities of complexity, structure and verbosity but what about a majority of readers who prefer simple, lucid language? … even first time readers for that matter. As an author, shouldn’t your aim be to get your message, the feelings, emotions and the idea out to as many people as possible? The problem with using complex, extravagant words is that most people find it difficult to comprehend what you try to portray. If people cannot understand what you write, then your message is lost. It was one of the most valuable lessons I learned over the years - If one uses simple, lucid language, it makes it easier for the majority to understand. Screw critics and what they have to say; simple language can go a long way in getting an idea out. For people to understand what you are trying to say, you must be clear.
So I gave up explaining scenes in great detail… I seldom use complex sentences. As a writer, I want my words to be understood. I do not want my readers to sit with a dictionary while reading what I have written. Communication was meant to be lucid. When I write, I try to communicate with my readers. I do not want my work to leave even a shred of doubt on my reader’s mind. That’s my aim from now on - To be simple and lucid while effectively getting an idea across!
