Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish

[brandontoh]

Just want to say that misunderstandings are rife, and I did clear mine with Card. I think it's as he said, he got too comfortable, and well, personally it's a problem of his tone in my case. From our PM exchanges, I did learn that he's just someone who's very fervent about the English language, but he may lack tact under certain circumstances. Although why he prefers adding "The" in front of his name, I don't know. Seems rather pompous, but maybe it's just me.

Card, I hope you don't mind me posting one of the PMs you sent me a few minutes ago. Really hope I can clear the air for you. You did offend me slightly, but we managed to clear it up. So it can be done. You seem dead set on leaving, and well, you're not a bad guy. Being willing to apologise makes you a man if anything. I just don't want anyone to villanise you over misunderstandings unfairly.

No, I cannot take pride in that.

Nor do I appreciate your sentiment that I am having an off day. I thought I could share my views there, but apparently I am wrong.

And it is that "Show, Don't Tell" rule that was pounded into my brain as well. And then I realized metaphors aren't really all that necessary, or helpful. Imagery is not as useful as we get told. It's just a thing writers can use to fill up pages.

I know imagining scenes helps the reader to, well, read the book. But they don't need to be constantly bombarded with descriptions. There is no more power in descriptive words. Painting flames on a car does not help it go faster, it just makes it more interesting.

Descriptions in verse are the same way. They might look rad, but they could be little more than distractions.
I see no reason for adding all these decals if someone just wants to see the car, you know what I mean?

What bugs me is when people see English as being a form, like a Mad-Libs sheet, or as something that comes with instructions.

English is not formulaic, it may be patterned, but it does amazing things we don't always expect. And, what I said I stand behind. I see English differently, and I feel strongly about it. It is not just a brush or canvas. It's not marble, with a sculpture inside. It's fluid, it's clay. Sure, it has some rules, like obeying gravity, but it can be shaped so easily! Yet it is even more: Language is art like no other! Isn't that so wonderful?

And I am sorry if my views offend you because it goes against what school taught you to write. I'm not attacking you guys. But I have contrary views, and this is legitimately how I feel.