Why Less Really Can Mean More - Sometimes!

As humans, we're full of contradicting elements aren't we? Sometimes, we don't want to be made to think, or to read, or take some kind of action and will do all we can to avoid such strenuous activities, when compared to less demanding attractions, such as sitting in front of a TV - through which other, more proactive people do most of the work for us. A point that people who write sales material would do well to remember.

For many, the power of television does indeed come "to the rescue". To get the pay-off, we just have to sit there and let the wonderfully alluring sounds and images flood into our brain. Arguably, most of the time, television does most of the thinking for us - plus, we don't usually have to read anything (unless sub-titles are required - in which case, we may only read them consistently if sufficiently motivated).

However, at other times - perhaps when reading something like a favorite novel - we're only too happy to become absorbed by the imagery that a carefully crafted collection of words can weave in our minds; to be whisked away to another land or another time, to share in some way the lives of those characters the author has ingeniously created. At such times, the effort of reading hardly seems like effort, as we almost seem to be experiencing the story directly, in a personal way, hardly aware that we're just reading words.

Nevertheless, reading does take mental effort and perhaps not surprisingly, thinking stimulates thoughts to "appear", which causes more thoughts to materialize - almost instantly. Yet at the same time, we may lead incredibly busy lives. We may often feel "pressured", and so on.

During such times, we may be experiencing, "lets resist reading" mode - we'll only read what we must, to "get by."

So how can a writer deal with these apparent contradictions?

Thankfully, there's one simple yet incredibly powerful way you can help maximize the chances that your document is read.

Whether writing novels or business literature, in general, here's a guideline to consider:

• Use as few words as you need to make your point, then stop.

Unless: if like Stephen King or J K Rowling, you're in the envious position of having built up huge, unrelenting devotion from your readers, who eagerly await and devour whatever you write, the length or wordiness of your document tends to become irrelevant, beneficial or even celebrated!

So until that day, consider the following guidelines:

• Make brevity your watchword.
• To help impress the idea that "Less is more" on your conscious mind, tell yourself that this is the most important writing tip ever.
• Whatever style of writing you're using, keep your message brief, snappy and to the point whenever possible.
• Aim to put over your meaning or message clearly, concisely and make each word count and contribute to the whole.
• Every document or communication should have a purpose and a goal. Appreciate that sometimes, the shorter your document or presentation, the more successful your piece can be. However, balance this with the purpose and goal of your communication. The flip-side is that if you make it too short, effectiveness decreases. Use your own judgment to find the "sweet spot", where you create the most effective balance between goal, purpose and length of presentation.
• By all means, start by simply recording your thoughts onto the page in the best way you can. Then develop, build and rearrange your text to achieve the precise effect you want.
• Before you finish, cut, delete and destroy every word, phrase, sentence, or even paragraph, that does nothing to add to the quality of your presentation.
• Especially, watch out for redundant words; for example: in most instances the word "very" is unnecessary.
• You may become surprised at jut how many words are actually unnecessary to your message. Plus, when removed, excess verbiage does not inflict any loss of meaning whatsoever to your document.
• This tip applies to all forms of writing fiction, nonfiction, speaking and creating website content.

Brevity is indeed its own message - so I'll stop too :-)