My approach to brevity is to print out every article I write, as a first draft

and then go over it with a ruler and a pen, ruthlessly crossing out and rephrasing sentences so they don't use any more words than they absolutely have to. The more I write, the less I need to do in redrafting because I get into the habit of concision.

It's also helping me deal with my own signature fault, which is trying to cram too many points into an article. Writing, as far as I see it, is all about re-writing.

Although I'm glad you found space for your 'Row Z' remark - I always knew that was going in!

Posted By: Ottosson Foxtrot on February 28th 2007 at 20:52:28

Message Thread

FAO my less-than-adoring public (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Feb 28, 20:43:24
- KISS (NCFC) - thesmallchap, Mar 1, 09:48:00
- one comment from a sem-professional subeditor (NCFC) - elk, Feb 28, 23:02:52
  - some bloody editor. SEMI (n/m) (NCFC) - elk, Feb 28, 23:03:56
- Bit late mate but cheers (NCFC) - Tomblander, Feb 28, 21:34:26
- Christ..... (NCFC) - Johnny Comecardiff, Feb 28, 21:28:32
  - Overall...... (NCFC) - Johnny Comecardiff, Feb 28, 21:35:11
- Good article, big feller ! (n/m) (NCFC) - colincanary, Feb 28, 21:17:43
- My approach to brevity is to print out every article I write, as a first draft (NCFC) - Ottosson Foxtrot, Feb 28, 20:52:28
  - Blaise Pascal (NCFC) - yarmyyarmy, Feb 28, 21:13:36
    - LOL! Now there was a man who knew what he was talking about (n/m) (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Feb 28, 21:15:40
  - Yep, agreed: was a good night Otto, and great meeting you! (n/m) (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Feb 28, 21:12:26
- not sure what the criticisms were exactly (NCFC) - Dave in France, Feb 28, 20:47:26
  - Me too. Except the 'This observer notes....' I hate that. Monbiot wouuld never do it. (n/m) (NCFC) - The Editor of Milk, Feb 28, 21:16:11
  - Thanks! (n/m) (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Feb 28, 21:12:45
  - Me too. (n/m) (NCFC) - Arganth, Feb 28, 20:57:01
    - yep, I like the read too! (n/m) (NCFC) - admckechnie, Feb 28, 20:59:19
    - ...and with rest of message... (NCFC) - Arganth, Feb 28, 20:58:56
      - Not yet: jambocanary, if you're out there, send me an email (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Feb 28, 21:11:56
        
        Also JP, can you send Harry & Penny an email too ? (NCFC) - Arganth, Feb 28, 21:14:00

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