[lutusp]

To some extent this misses the distinction between style and substance. People who read a lot, and/or who evolved at a time when critical reading was an essential skill, can be relied on to distinguish between conveying an idea versus seducing a reader through one's style of expression.

Both Ernest Hemingway and Mark Twain began their careers at print newspapers, where every word counted. They learned how to say much with few words. No amount of clever prose can substitute for this ability to set aside style in favor of substance.

[chvgchvg]

It is truly an incredible ability. I am trying to battle the idea of elegance over substance. The idea that elegance comes first. Many authors trying to sound more elegant (every high school english class is guilty of this) instead of putting in more substance.