the Bard advises.

I enjoy this site immensely and find many interesting observation and commentaries are too often undercut by their own weight.

I suggest that we all take pains to proofread our comments and excise that which is either redundant, tedious or otherwise unnecessary.

New paragraphs once in a while would be welcome as well.

Thank you all.

Asking me to be brief in my comments is like asking a starving man to eat a chicken leg with a knife and fork...it's not likely to happen

 I recognise that I can be wordy in my comments and know that it may make them less enjoyable to read but I still find myself doing it in an effort to be clearly understood.  Maybe I should find an editor to help me with this.  Interested in the position, mrfisher?  

P.S.  No, I don't think mrfisher was referring to me specifically and I am not trying to be mean or rude, just a little levity to go with the brevity.

I am not a good enough writer to assume a post of editor.  My daring namesake may take the job though.

or soulful...or brief.  

Though, Shakespeare didn't exactly advise that; he wrote the line for a character in Hamlet, the character being Polonius, and the line being very witty in the irony that it was spoken by Polonius, who is not brief, but actually one of the most long winded characters in all of literature.

The actual line is,
"Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,
I will be brief."

then after his brief statement he goes on to say:

"Madam, I swear I use no art at all.
That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity;
And pity 'tis 'tis true. A foolish figure!
But farewell it, for I will use no art.
Mad let us grant him then. And now remains
That we find out the cause of this effect-
Or rather say, the cause of this defect,
For this effect defective comes by cause.
Thus it remains, and the remainder thus.
Perpend.
I have a daughter, have while she is mine;
Who, in her duty and obedience, mark,
Hath given me this. Now gather, and surmise."
...after this he reads a letter

So, that the set up is short, but the punchline is long, not simply the line itself that follows, but all the lines of that charcter, and the character himself; I am not so sure Shakespeare would agree that "brevity is the soul of wit", but one character that was contradictory in his advice vs what he actually did, thought it good advice...to give if not to follow.

As for how Polonius' advice plays out on a message board, short posts are fine, some thoughts require longer posts.

Me, I am exceedingly long winded, I freely admit that...and since I have been attempting to put my thoughts into words for many years (and most often failing in the attempt) I doubt I my writing style (or lack thereof) is going to change anytime soon.
Sorry about that.

If something is intelligent, unless there is gunfire overhead or an employer threatening termination due to a deadline, it is worth reading no matter what the length.

Modern society is a combination of being spoiled by immediate gratification and being stressed by too many distractions that a majority of people have both little patience and little desire for nuance.

The human experience was not meant to play out at MTV pacing.  Slow down, people, and enjoy intelligence when you get that rare opportunity to see it in modern society, instead of the garishness and marketing that we mostly are innundated with.

Polonius' words ring more true than the tragic Hamlet or his mother's could ever be. Polonius albeit a bit long-winded is quite lucid, even when he doubts his own words or fears that he may befallen by some nameless knave. Writing is more or less "style" when you are comparing authors, genres, and history, but if substance is the fruit of life, play on.

-- Modified on 7/28/2006 7:38:32 PM

You are Witty
       Intellegent
       Thought Provoking
       Inforative  
       Humerous/Humerus, cause you strike  
                        my phunny bone
            ETC. ETC.

Your writing is great (nothing to be sorry about) so do not change , keep being Webbie.

And you are the sweetest lil gal.

Thank You

... would disagree with you. She thought brevity was the soul of lingerie.

- M

the irrepressable Ms. Parker was the master of the one liner:

My favorite:

When the reproachable Claire Booth Luce met Ms. Parker she ushered her ahead of her through a door with the line, "age before beauty."

Ms. Parker waltzed ahead uttering the words:  "Pearls before swine."

And we think the Ciara's are not to be toyed with!

-- Modified on 7/29/2006 7:20:03 AM

Even when you own it
When ever I need anything written "legit like" you write it. You never fail.
Rock On my Sister!
Oh
And
BTW
Happy Birthday !!!!
Much Love, B

I start reading most, but stop when they exceed six paragraphs. Some posts are looonng.

A pithy reply

Thank you

Although, better to eat you with, my dear. Wink!

Hugs,
ciara

The best writers know this rule:

Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do.

I spent so much time learning all these great words from reading books, but when it came to writing for a newspaper, the less adjectives and use of simple words the better for the majority to comprehend. You are correct, dear sir.

Unfortunately, stats show that most humans have the reading comprehension of either a seventh or eleventh-grade student. So sad, but true.

Hugs,
ciara

In another era, Oscal Wilde was said to comment on the length of a letter to a friend.  "I apologize, I did not have the time to write a short one."

Another drink and I'll be under the host.

She must have done it sliding down a barrister.
(On hearing an actress had broken her leg)

Tallulah Bankhead: "Why, it's as easy as ducking for apples."
Dorothy Parker: "Hah, change one letter in that sentence and you've got the story of my life."

And in a letter or postcard apologizing to a friend for not writing:
I've been too fucking busy, and vice versa.