(after Nikita Gill)
Well, first, it should be “fewer,” as I told way too many
college students who truly couldn’t care less. But
short is the point. Love short. Trying to write shorter.
A lifelong task.
150 characters or less
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Güd wrtr 
Speaking of grammar, the late Mrs. Lori Butcher, my senior high-school English teacher, used to correct me when I would write “way too many”, requiring an apostrophe in front of “way”, making the expression ‘way too many, instead. She insisted it was a contraction of “far and away” that became popular in the late nineteenth century and modern usage required the apostrophe. That now seems quaint fifty years later, I guess, but out of long habit I still follow her rule, perhaps afraid her still-watchful spirit might not approve anything else!
I well remember Mrs. Butcher and some of her (now I’d politely call them) stylistic/usage preferences. I agree with you, Terry—this particular preference is quaint… and was certainly never “required.” I’ve long been amused at the way that English teachers give us “rules,” only to learn years later (as an editor and English professor myself) that so many of them were common usages at a particular time and turn out to be style preferences! Thanks for this good story!
Yep. Way too difficult to remember all her rules!
Nicely done! Short and clear is elegant. I love the challenge, also. When someone accomplishes that in writing group I am inspired with envy. haha.
Transformational Coach, ICF ACC Certified Deep Coaching Practitioner Affiliate Amherst Writers and Artists Writing Group Leader Wildasswriters http://www.janetjohnstoncoaching.com
Thanks, dear Texas Jan! You are most kind… and great writing prompt, huh? Do steal it with both hands! Here’s Nikita Gill’s poem that is, indeed, 150 characters: https://www.instagram.com/poetryisnotaluxury/p/C2SpYdAybMe/?hl=en