About editing - interesting radio interview

There's a very good programme on BBC Radio 4 about language, called Word of Mouth, and one of the most recent ones was about editing.

The poet Michael Rosen talks to two guests including an editor from The Economist, and I found it fascinating to have a glimpse into his work, and how cutting the number of words can actually concentrate and intensify meaning.

You might have to sign in to listen, but it's worth it. I love Radio 4. Off to listen to Gardeners' Question Time now.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/play/b0bksd3j

blacbird said:

This is the essence of editing, and just about every good writer for the last couple of centuries knows this. Mark Twain crystallized it:
"Eschew verbiage."

caw

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Yes - I just found it striking that it was so baldly put: if you cut 5 to 10 percent of your words, your writing will be better. It's a good series anyway, and I always like listening to anything Michael Rosen has to say.