Style vs. Clarity

I've spent a bit of time on elements of plot structure and story development over the last few months. But recently, I veered off to discuss poetry. Plot and poetry -- both are important -- a story worth telling and a story well told.

You can have the best story, but if you tell if too plainly -- Bob picked up the ball. Bob threw the ball. The window broke. -- the presentation will be dull.

But it is also possible to go too far the other way. I have read (or, at least, attempted to read) published novels where the beauty (or, in some unfortunate cases, the sheer density) of the words obscured what was going on with the characters and events.

How do you know if you have gone to far in either direction? There is no one right answer, any more than there is one true reader.

Start by trusting what works for you. Put the story down and read it again days later, when what you meant to say is no longer stronger in your mind than what is on the page. Does it read clear and interesting?

Remember, it's a long road from blank page to finished work and it doesn't end until you say it does. And it's good to get feedback from beyond yourself as well. Some people like to have friends review their work. Some writers are blessed with professional and experienced editors. (There is always the danger that friends will be a little too kind.)

A story worth telling and a story well told -- surely that's a goal worth a little effort.