My writing style is for the most part to the point. Since I spend a lot of time and energy in elaborating other aspects of my life when I communicate online it is really direct, simple, and almost always lacks the "fluff" of bullshit. Growing up my teachers used to tell me I needed to "fluff" up my writings to make it interesting, but to add mindless details is not my idea of "fluffing." I would much rather write with a tone of voice that establishes a context with my reader; I would rather tell you what I am thinking or feeling than rather "allude" to it. If you need a map and a compass to find out what I am trying to tell you, then miscommunications happen. And I do not like miscommunications, so many arguments happen whenever there is a miscommunication. But what I hate more than a miscue is reading someone else's work and realizing half the crap they wrote about could have been omitted, and I would not have wasted x amount of minutes of my life. If I wanted to read a good story I would, if I need to know what is going on, spare me the details and give it to me straight.
Now with all that being said there are times when "fluff" is necessary. Some of us cannot handle the bluntness of certain truths. And as I have been told by many people I am "rotten at this game" whenever I try to "ease the blow" I end up failing, miserably. Now I realize this comes from the no BS attitude I have adopted over time. But in life there is no easy way to say anything, and no matter how you say it, someone ends up getting hurt. People have told me that I come off as being an insensitive jerk, and although I apologize profusely they still tell me that I could lighten up a bit. I do not mean to sound cold and callous but sometimes there just is no other way to say it. And I am not the coldest-hearted person, there have been people that I have spoken to that make me look like a care bear compared to them, but I do have some cold-hearted moments and during these times they are usually a result of my lack of options. When I argue with people I get cold-hearted real quick, I forget that I am just arguing with someone that I know and potentially care about, and so when things are said they are said in the most untactful fashion, and I often regret some things, but I have worked on this to thaw my tone a bit. And I find that although life is cold, I do not always have to be. I do not want to be the ass hole that everyone hates and does not want to get to know.
To: Cuban
ReplyDeleteI actually respect the raw opinion about your writing style that you describe. I use “fluff” in my writing, and I was told to not use too much of it, as were the rest of my classmates in my fifth grade class. We use “fluff” to take up room and to describe things that don’t need to be described only because we think someone may need an explanation. I would love to talk straight forward and at times I do. Depending on the person I am communicating I will either spare ones feelings or crush another’s. I guess when I reads another’s response or initial email I expect to read fluff because I am that type of person, but when it is important I rather disregard all of the bullshit and take it in as it should be.
I agree with the fact that sometimes “fluff” is needed, but like I said it can also be used to take up room in an essay or a letter in order to communicate better with a person. Some people can’t handle the bluntness of certain truths like you said, but some people don’t even use “fluff” to cover this up, rather tings are left unsaid. Would you rather have “fluff” or nothing bad said at all with fake comments surrounding it? Sometimes one can be “asshole” that everyone hates even when using “fluff” so don’t take it out on yourself too much, anyone can be the bad guy it all depends on how someone takes things.
I can easily relate to your writing style because I write to the point as well. Teachers' would constantly get on my back about "fluffing" my writing but I found it useless. I admire writers who are able to "fluff" their writing style and make readers think deeper into what they are trying to say but I am not that way. It is always a battle to read some of the required readings because we have to understand beyond the writing and see what the author's message is. I am a very literal person and I'd rather tell people upfront what I feel instead of beating around the bush. It is hard sometimes because we can be perceived as someone like you said cold-hearted or insensitive but we know we don't mean to be like that.
ReplyDeleteI honestly like how you think because I am the same way. I am straight to the point and I understand this could sometimes come off as being rude or a jerk. I don’t believe someone should write one full paragraph on a two word idea. I have to agree with you that sometimes I also feel like it is a waste of time reading something that is so long, when it could have been said in just a couple of words. Sometimes it is necessary for example in order to not hurt someone’s feelings, for the most. I believe being blunt is the right way to be. I also feel like the way a person expresses themselves has a lot to do with their personalities and we can not blame anyone for that. If a person likes to be detailed and loves to describe in detail how they feel, then that’s fine, at the end this is what makes everyone different and unique. In conclusion either way a person is makes them special, I just prefer to be straight to the point like you. Even though we get criticized a lot for being this way, it is what makes us special also and helps us express ourselves.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I’m not surprised in the slightest. I think anyone who’s engaged in conversation with you can tell you’re to the point. You’re extremely direct and you don’t sugarcoat things, which is something that I absolutely love about your communication style. I think that if people waste time talking about things that aren’t important in the conversation, you lose a bit of that person’s attention. I tend to be a rambler, so I’m used to people’s eyes sort of glazing over occasionally. But, I think I ramble because I’ve got so much going on in my mind and I’m slightly ADHD, so if I don’t talk about what pops into my head I’ll lose it and yeah. I can only imagine being in your shoes in school and having to change up my writing because it was too direct. I hate when people pick apart my writing, so that would have made me extremely upset, but it’s all about how we each handle things, right?
ReplyDeleteYou see how I just went off topic again? Stupid digression…
Honestly, I think that you and I are a lot alike when it comes to arguments and debates, though. Because I tend to speak about things only when I’m extremely passionate about them. And sometimes my emotions get the better of me and I find that I’m yelling and angry. Clearly I think we’d kill each other if we ever argued. Look forward to your thoughts this week.