Professional Trap & Certified Cringe™

Source: https://www.rednote.com/explore/69ddefb20000000022026270?xsec_token=ABbJaOrLLD8UyIGiDwuQU0FBhsYjZwn1Cuxkn0DjNMT-g=&xsec_source=pc_like

OP said they were tired of "diet writing" and "trimming the fat" to cater to lower attention spans--and I agree. To me, that means when writers cut quiet, atmospheric moments or filler-that's-actually-characterization (the Beach Episode) in order to hit plot points as quickly as possible. I hate how every show moves so fast now, like the writers are scared to linger on a moment. Or they don't trust their audience to stay engaged. I also want the fat back.

The part about the post I disagreed with, however, was OP didn't cite the above examples as "trimming the fat." They cited Chuck Palahniuk's advice about cutting phrases like, "he knew" and "she wondered."

Here's the thing, though. Palahniuk doesn't recommend cutting "she knew" and the like to make your writing shorter. He suggests it to make your writing more fulfilling. Which is the opposite of trimming the fat.

Don't take my word for it. To quote the author:

Instead of saying: “Adam knew Gwen liked him.” You’ll have to say: “Between classes, Gwen had always leaned on his locker when he’d go to open it. She’s roll her eyes and shove off with one foot, leaving a black-heel mark on the painted metal, but she also left the smell of her perfume. The combination lock would still be warm from her butt. And the next break, Gwen would be leaned there, again.”