alpha_dk said:
So now anything that DOESN'T explain it to you in long, drawn out terms doesn't count? That hardly makes sense. Tell me; what do you think of the following short story (in it's entirety) For sale: baby shoes, never worn (By Hemingway)
Now tell me: What is the point of the story? What is a potential backstory, and why should you (and I do, at least) feel sad upon reading it? Because most people would be able to answer all of the above questions, and that is only from 6 words. Contrast that to a longer method, which would be something like this (spoiler'd because it is obviously only my interpretation of the piece, which is obviously not encompassing nearly as much as the original did. This was done on purpose, because that's basically what DTG is saying is 'good' writing): A pair of parents are going to have a baby. They have been trying for ages, and are ecstatic when they are successful. They buy everything they can for their child-to-be, from clothes to a room to everything else a young child would need. Months pass, and eventually the mother-to-be goes into labor. After hours of work, the child is stillborn.
I know which I consider better writing; and I see every reason why Hemingway's version should not only be able to be compared to my version, but should also be able to be declared unambiguously better. Would you care to explain? |
Wow, what an excellent example.

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