I’m on a Godin kick again.  Currently reading All Marketers Are Liars.

And I’m struck by the brevity of the book.  He’s so concise.

Similarly, Sivers’ How to Call Attention to Your Music is the single most important book an aspiring musician should read.  And it’s the shortest book of its kind.

Perhaps because of my internet-era attention span, but I just don’t have patience for lengthy books.  And I’m dismayed by the fact that I myself am needlessly long-winded.   I’m not going to be too hard on myself, as at this point in the game it’s more important to be in the rhythm of writing than writing well. But I need to get there.

Because here’s an important point I really believe in.

If you tell what is true, then you don’t need lengthy proof to back it up.

Sure, a brief illustration to portray how your point applies is nice.  It helps us connect dots.

But beyond that, any need to cite, quote or downright copy other famous people, scientific studies and research/survey results, only serve to drive the point that what you’re telling requires some convincing. And if your story needs an awful lot of convincing to accompany it, it’s really not sure of itself.

I’m writing long proses because it’s easier to do so than to write concise and focused verses.  It feels securer, you know, to bring in all the examples and discuss all the little variations and permutations.  The longer the supporting documents, the more credible your story is.  Right?

No.  It’s nothing but self-indulgence.  You’re just covering up your insecurity.  Or assuming that your readers are not that smart, so that they require a lot of spoon-feeding.

Success comes through focus.  Not length.

We just need to tell what is true.  A truth will prove itself, and connect dots, all on its own.

Man, I need to get there.