How Much Is Enough?

There is a conflict of interest when writing a story. As a writer, you want to be efficient and realistic. The two do not mix.

As a student, we are taught that you need to make every sentence, every word within every sentence, count. If you have useless words, they weigh down your piece and you should trim the fat. There is good reason for this lesson; it works. Making your writing streamlined makes for an easier read. The audience gets every important point and they all lead to the conclusion. All the loose ends are tied up in the end.

The problem with the above lesson is that it is unrealistic. It's fantastic for an essay, which is meant to lead the audience down a careful path which ends at a conclusion. But writing a story isn't the same as writing an essay. A good story absorbs the reader. They are part of a world that is fictional, but all too real.

Reality does not get wrapped up in a neat little package. People have doubts and concerns. People don't talk in a streamline way. They notice random things, thihnk strange thohughts, forget very important information. If we are looking through somebody's eyes or listening to somebody speak, we will see a whole lot of imperfection. That imperfection is what draws us in, what makes them relateable.

So there is a question that you must answer: How much is enough? How much reality do you show your readers? How much do you streamline your work? This is a difficult qustion to answer, as it is a deeply personal matter. However, if you want a start down the path, I will say that your ultimate goal is for your writing to be read and to be enjoyed. If you are lacking that, you need to change.