KISS … an all-American acronym for Keep it Simple, Stupid.
American culture is full of examples of the KISS concept: President Truman kept a sign on his desk that read “The Buck Stops Here” to remind himself (and Oval Office visitors alike) that he alone held THE ultimate say-so.
In practice, that covered everything from complex decisions regarding the military-industrial complex, to the matter of choosing a route for his morning walk. When push came to shove, those four words – The Buck Stops Here – spoke volumes.
President Clinton had a similar sign. The words “It’s the Economy, Stupid” reminded him that, whatever issues he might face, if voters didn’t have jobs or rent money, then HE was likely to be out of a job soon himself.
Traffic signs generally consist of one or two words: “Stop” or “Railroad Crossing.” We’re too busy driving to absorb more. Experience dictates action when we see these simple signs – no need for the Highway Department to ramble on.
Photographers recognize the importance of isolating a subject from the background. Ham radio operators constantly fiddle with their frequency dials to eliminate static and clutter. The recipe for “Aunt Tillie’s Crock Pot Chili” calls for a pinch of salt and a dash of Oregano … to invoke more precision would take the joy out of cooking.
Eliminate the unnecessary. KISS.
Writers should remind themselves of the elegance of simplicity. Don’t use a five-dollar word when a 50-cent special will do. Speak your mind, but limit your thoughts to one idea per sentence.
Read your written word aloud – to yourself, first, just to see whether your tongue gets tangled along the way (if so, edit and revise), and then to a friend, family member or colleague. Pretty soon, you’ll find the ears on the side of your head gradually giving way to the “ears” inside your head … and you’re editing those tongue twisters before they ever hit the page.
When it all comes out in the wash, a writer plagued with Writer’s Block is no different than a baseball slugger in a hitting slump. Nothing is more confounding to Albert Pujols than having coaches “tweak” his stance, or suggest he drop his wrists a bit and cut down on his stride. Later, Phat Albert might be signing autographs, only to be plagued by “helpful” fans suggesting a less open stance, more sleep, an energy drink, a margarita ….
But in the end, El Hombre’s slump is likely to end when he clears his mind of all the garbage … and just swings naturally. No conscious thought. No contrivance. Just instinct and reaction.
Be a Writer. Do the same. Kisses to all …
Next: Back to Basics (Part 2) – 25 Words
American culture is full of examples of the KISS concept: President Truman kept a sign on his desk that read “The Buck Stops Here” to remind himself (and Oval Office visitors alike) that he alone held THE ultimate say-so.
In practice, that covered everything from complex decisions regarding the military-industrial complex, to the matter of choosing a route for his morning walk. When push came to shove, those four words – The Buck Stops Here – spoke volumes.
President Clinton had a similar sign. The words “It’s the Economy, Stupid” reminded him that, whatever issues he might face, if voters didn’t have jobs or rent money, then HE was likely to be out of a job soon himself.
Traffic signs generally consist of one or two words: “Stop” or “Railroad Crossing.” We’re too busy driving to absorb more. Experience dictates action when we see these simple signs – no need for the Highway Department to ramble on.
Photographers recognize the importance of isolating a subject from the background. Ham radio operators constantly fiddle with their frequency dials to eliminate static and clutter. The recipe for “Aunt Tillie’s Crock Pot Chili” calls for a pinch of salt and a dash of Oregano … to invoke more precision would take the joy out of cooking.
Eliminate the unnecessary. KISS.
Writers should remind themselves of the elegance of simplicity. Don’t use a five-dollar word when a 50-cent special will do. Speak your mind, but limit your thoughts to one idea per sentence.
Read your written word aloud – to yourself, first, just to see whether your tongue gets tangled along the way (if so, edit and revise), and then to a friend, family member or colleague. Pretty soon, you’ll find the ears on the side of your head gradually giving way to the “ears” inside your head … and you’re editing those tongue twisters before they ever hit the page.
When it all comes out in the wash, a writer plagued with Writer’s Block is no different than a baseball slugger in a hitting slump. Nothing is more confounding to Albert Pujols than having coaches “tweak” his stance, or suggest he drop his wrists a bit and cut down on his stride. Later, Phat Albert might be signing autographs, only to be plagued by “helpful” fans suggesting a less open stance, more sleep, an energy drink, a margarita ….
But in the end, El Hombre’s slump is likely to end when he clears his mind of all the garbage … and just swings naturally. No conscious thought. No contrivance. Just instinct and reaction.
Be a Writer. Do the same. Kisses to all …
Next: Back to Basics (Part 2) – 25 Words
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