"所以写出比他需要的更多单词的作家是在为读者制造一项苦差事。"

When someone uses too many words, it becomes a slog for the person doing the reading. Picture this: you’re cozying up with a book or scrolling through an article, and instead of being engaged by a riveting story or crystal-clear information, you find yourself wading through a swamp of unnecessary adjectives and redundant explanations. It’s frustrating, right?

Dr. Seuss, the beloved children’s author, is behind this gem of wisdom. He’s known for his playful, yet profoundly wise sayings. He had a knack for saying a lot with a little—a skill that's harder than it looks. As a writer, Dr. Seuss understood that the joy of reading often comes from clarity and simplicity. His books, bursting with rhymes and vibrant illustrations, didn’t just teach kids to read; they made reading fun and effortless.

Think back to a time when you had to read a dense textbook or a convoluted report at work. Remember how you had to re-read sentences, trying to unravel the core meaning buried under piles of jargon and fluff? That’s exactly the scenario Dr. Seuss warns against. It’s not just about brevity for brevity’s sake, but about respect for the reader’s time and mental energy.

To illustrate, let’s take the example of a well-crafted email. Imagine you’re at work, and you receive an email from a colleague. The email is concise, directly addressing the matter at hand, and clearly stating what they need from you. You appreciate this, don’t you? Now, picture the opposite: an email that meanders, loaded with superfluous details and roundabout sentences. Not only does it waste your time, but it also leaves you feeling frustrated and less likely to engage with the content positively.

Here’s a tip: when you write, whether it’s an email, a report, or even a social media post, always ask yourself—what’s the point? What do you want your reader to take away? Once you’ve got that down, trim the fat. Cut out any words or sentences that don’t serve that core purpose. Your readers will thank you.

Now, let’s bring this idea home with a relatable scenario. Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend who’s telling you about their weekend. They start with, “So, on Saturday, I woke up at 8 AM because I couldn’t sleep well the night before, partly because I’d had too much coffee late in the day, but also because my neighbor’s dog was barking all night. Anyway, I got up and…” By this point, you’re probably already tuning out. What if instead, they said, “Saturday morning, I got up early and went straight to the farmer’s market.” Boom. You’re right there with them, and the conversation flows naturally.

So, the next time you sit down to write, think of it like telling a story to a friend over coffee. Keep it tight, keep it engaging, and remember—sometimes, less really is more.