So let’s see if the 110 word rule helps.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
110
How easy would it be, to distill a point into 110 words or less? I got the idea from J.D. Considine’s blog, where he talks about his time as the reviews editor at Blender magazine: The rule was, any review had to be no more than 110 words. So far, I’m about halfway there—now.
The beauty of enforced brevity is that you have to focus your thinking on just the one thing. My particular situation—too many thoughts, coupled with limitless space, thanks to Blogger—means that my pieces have been too long and too digressive, yet also too infrequent.
So let’s see if the 110 word rule helps.
So let’s see if the 110 word rule helps.
16 comments:
Whether you agree with me or not, thank you for your comment.
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If you have a question or a private comment, do feel free to e-mail me at my address expat229@gmail.com.
GL
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Meh... just seems like a fat Twitter.
ReplyDeleteWould rather have unlimited words less often. Honestly, the infrequency seems to be a better forced brevity (so to speak) than a lot of short posts. I think you are better when you are constrained to having to fill out a long thought exercise than having the freedom to shoot out a quick missive on impulse. Your well thought out pieces are infinitely more valuable than your quick posts driven by a passing thought or impulse.
Exhibit A: http://thehourlyg.blogspot.com/
I think you should keep the long posts, then after you have written them, go through and force yourself to cross out 25% of what you have written. You will find that you can still get your point across in your usual brilliant way, yet you have shortened our reading time 25%. Rememebr, it's the thought that counts.
ReplyDeleteDo both. Write 110 when you have only one thing to say and longer pieces when you have lots on your mind.
ReplyDeleteI quite like your twitter links, some interesting articles in those.
ReplyDeleteI like the long posts, GL. Keep 'em coming. I can't afford your paid site, but I really enjoy the blog.
ReplyDeleteRather a full meal than a snack
ReplyDeleteme glutton lol
Both are great....super-size me 220 words....
ReplyDeleteQE3 comments would be much appreciated...
Are they doing it on some level already in some backdoor fashion?? When will it have to be rolled out in full force?? QE3...220 words please and Thank you for not forgetting your blog buddies.
You want brief ... succinct ... pithy?
ReplyDeleteFine - GO for it.
About QE3.
So what if Bernanke does "it" - whatever it may be. QE2 did nothing for the real economy. The Fed can only make monetary policy. QE2 proved that the Fed is pretty much ineffectual. The market knows this now. Buy the rumor - sell the news. That will be QE3.
Maybe the Fed will get serious about allowing recessions to do the "dirty work" in the economy. And serious about restructuring the debt overhang.
Not that I'm holding my breath.
PeteCA
This is not a snack, more like a smell...
ReplyDeleteHere's my 110 words of advice:
Stay focused on what you are good at, and stop flip-flopping from one project to another. 17
You used to have a schedule on here as to when your were planning on releasing your next blog. That has gone by the wayside, and needs to be returned.
Cut the price of SPG membership, for $50 per month I could get "MoviePass" and what the latest releases everyday of the week. http://popcorn.moviepass.com/?
Which makes your SPG look a tad on the expensive side.
So there you have it in 100 words,i think my attempt is 110 times better than yours.
You seem to be unhappy with your blog and casting about for a new way to present your ideas. We -- your readers -- customers, if you will -- are here because we like the way you have been writing. Go for it -- rant, rave, be yourself -- Mark Steyn and Ann Coulter come to mind as wickedly funny yet excellent writers. We like you as you are -- stop running from yourself and embrace your bad-assness!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the comments above, keep the postings long ... I love your ranting and raving and excellent writing!! You always make me think, which not all writers and bloggers do, and that is what I appreciate the most.
ReplyDeleteYour fan Tita
I can tell you what is better for communication then succinct statements; when you write or speak your first paragraph (or first few sentences) should describe what you are going to say. Give your audience an understanding of what they are going to hear. The body of your communication should be the explanation of your main point. Follow this with a brief summary of what you said. I hate videos or articles where the author drones on and even gets sidetracked and you never really get to a point.
ReplyDeleteYour long pieces might not get the Emmy Award for Bloggers, that's why I do not watch much TV.
ReplyDeleteThis 110 word non-sense sounds like a restriction on texting. You are a giant when it comes to communicating upon complex economic themes.
Don't let the common elements reduce you to a mouse. There are a lot of rats out there.
Be careful - When you can create treasures to overflow a chest of intellect, insight, witt, and wisdom, why choke on a spoon.
There is a saying: It is not WHAT is wrong with you, it is WHO. May be this saying applies to your writing (those that might advise you).
Kansas out. Sorry I came up short on a tip for the tip jar.
I prefer long well thought out and written posts.
ReplyDeleteHow about an update on "Sunday Crisis"?
Incidentally, the SPG membership is "a steal"
I disagree. Some topics need more than 110 words. All your previous entries were informative, educational and understandable. To condense everything down to 110 words would be a waste.
ReplyDeleteI think you should keep the long posts, then after you have written them, go through and force yourself to cross out 25% of what you have written. You will find that you can still get your point across in your usual brilliant way, yet you have shortened our reading time 25%. Rememebr, it's the thought that counts.
ReplyDelete