I have been on both sides of the fence. As a writer, you become attached to your words. It can feel like an editor, by doing his job, is taking a weed wacker to your beautifully crafted garden.

However, any good editor’s concern isn’t his ego or your ego. An editor’s concern is for the reader. Has the writer gotten her point across without alienating or boring the reader? We live in an age where the written word is one click away from losing its audience.

That being said, there’s nothing wrong with keeping it brief. Being a clear and concise writer isn’t a bad thing. And, you shouldn’t deride your audience.

Oftentimes, it all boils down to context. Does that email you’re sending really need to be 10 densely worded paragraphs? What about the 35-page employee pamphlet that is the employee handbook regurgitated?

If the information is available on the web, mention it or better yet, provide a link. When writing that employee pamphlet, stick to the highlights.

By taking a few minutes to think about your audience before writing, you will save plenty of time in a couple of ways. You’ll save time by crafting a shorter communiqué. By keeping it concise, you’ll also avoid being asked the same questions over and over regarding that email or pamphlet no one read.