--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I try to use short sentences, short…" description: "\"I try to use short sentences, short paragraphs and short chapters to keep the reader's interest.\" — Nelson DeMille" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13d/nelson-demille-3019_books_i-try-to-use-short-sentences-short-parag_2116266.png" --- # I try to use short sentences, short paragraphs and short… ![“I try to use short sentences, short paragraphs and short chapters to keep the reader's interest.” quote by Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13d/nelson-demille-3019_books_i-try-to-use-short-sentences-short-parag_2116266.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13d/nelson-demille-3019_books_i-try-to-use-short-sentences-short-parag_2116266.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13d/nelson-demille-3019_books_i-try-to-use-short-sentences-short-parag_2116266.png) > “I try to use short sentences, short paragraphs and short chapters to keep the reader's interest.” [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Using concise language keeps readers engaged and the narrative moving forward. **In simple terms:** Short sentences and paragraphs maintain interest. Key Takeaway Write concisely to hold attention. Themes writing engagement style Mood practical educational Type instructional creative writing When to use this quote - novel writing - blog posts - educational material - marketing copy Key Concepts conciseness readability Questions to Reflect On - How can you simplify without losing meaning? - When is brevity most effective? A Different Perspective Over‑shortening can sacrifice depth; balance needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Chapters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chapters/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Paragraph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paragraph/) [Paragraphs Short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paragraphs-short-1315200/) [Reader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reader/) [Sentences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentences/) [Sentences Short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentences-short-1870099/) [Short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short/) [Short Chapters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-chapters-4111957/) [Short Paragraphs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-paragraphs-3225495/) [Short Sentences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-sentences-391281/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) ## Related quotes > [Use short sentences. Use short first paragraphs. Use vigorous English. Be positive, not negative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/use-short-sentences-use-short-first-paragraphs-use-vigorous-english/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Writing simply means no dependent clauses, no dangling things, no flashbacks, and keeping the subject near the predicate. We throw in as many fresh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/writing-simply-means-no-dependent-clauses-no-dangling-things-no/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [“We throw in as many fresh words as we can get away with. Simple, short sentences don't always work. You have to do tricks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/we-throw-in-as-many-fresh-words-as-we-can-get-away-with-simple-short/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [Keep your paragraphs short. Writing is visual - it catches the eye before it has a chance to catch the brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-zinsser/keep-your-paragraphs-short-writing-is-visual-it-catches-the-eye/) [William Zinsser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-zinsser/) > [Improve writing skills: 1. Keep paragraphs short. 2. Use bold and CAPS to make points. 3. Start with a question or short statement. 4.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/improve-writing-skills-1-keep-paragraphs-short-2-use-bold-and-caps-to/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [When you're writing for newspapers you have all these parameters. You can't swear, you have to use short paragraphs, all that. If you stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/when-you-re-writing-for-newspapers-you-have-all-these-parameters-you/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) > [“Autobiography in Five Short Chapters Chapter I: I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/autobiography-in-five-short-chapters-chapter-i-i-walk-down-the-street/) [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) > [My goal with The Adventures of Captain Underpants was to invent a style which was almost identical to that of a picture book -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dav-pilkey/my-goal-with-the-adventures-of-captain-underpants-was-to-invent-a/) [Dav Pilkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dav-pilkey/) > [“Short paragraphs that read like photographs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marisa-reichardt/short-paragraphs-that-read-like-photographs/) [Marisa Reichardt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marisa-reichardt/) > [I suppose the short chapters and differing narrative points of view are quite "cinematic" devices, which came very naturally to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stef-penney/i-suppose-the-short-chapters-and-differing-narrative-points-of-view/) [Stef Penney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stef-penney/) > [“Those sentences are short. They tell the truth. Sometimes it is a very boring truth. Sometimes we wish we had not heard the truth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lanning/those-sentences-are-short-they-tell-the-truth-sometimes-it-is-a-very/) [George Lanning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lanning/) > [I go through the text making sure I haven't used any big words. If I find any fancy adjectives have crept in, I replace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-millar/i-go-through-the-text-making-sure-i-haven-t-used-any-big-words-if-i/) [Martin Millar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-millar/) > [“Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessay sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-strunk-jr-2/vigorous-writing-is-concise-a-sentence-should-contain-no-unnecessary-2/) [William Strunk Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-strunk-jr-2/) > [Long sentences in a short composition are like large rooms in a little house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shenstone/long-sentences-in-a-short-composition-are-like-large-rooms-in-a/) [William Shenstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shenstone/) > [“Lengthy sentences like these lend themselves to emotions that are lower-energy, such as contentment, nostalgia, or wonder. Short sentences, on the other hand, often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-ackerman/lengthy-sentences-like-these-lend-themselves-to-emotions-that-are/) [Angela Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-ackerman/) ## More by Nelson DeMille > [“survived one trip into”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/survived-one-trip-into/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [The meaning of life has not much to do with good and evil, right and wrong, duty, honor, country, or any of that. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/the-meaning-of-life-has-not-much-to-do-with-good-and-evil-right-and/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“Nostalgia is basically the ability to forget the things that sucked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/nostalgia-is-basically-the-ability-to-forget-the-things-that-sucked/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“Credo quia impossibile.’ I believe it because it is impossible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/credo-quia-impossibile-i-believe-it-because-it-is-impossible/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [I had a very strong desire to be successful at something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/i-had-a-very-strong-desire-to-be-successful-at-something/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“The window on the right featured contemporary bestselling authors like Brad Meltzer, James Patterson, David Baldacci, Nelson DeMille, and others who make more money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/the-window-on-the-right-featured-contemporary-bestselling-authors/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [...the most common cause of death among alpha males was ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/the-most-common-cause-of-death-among-alpha-males-was-ego/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [Lawrence Kelter is an exciting new novelist, who reminds me of an early Robert Ludlum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/lawrence-kelter-is-an-exciting-new-novelist-who-reminds-me-of-an/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“I was starting to get to know the city, and when that happens in a screwed-up place, it’s time to leave.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/i-was-starting-to-get-to-know-the-city-and-when-that-happens-in-a/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“Before you go on any mission, you need to understand what you know, identify what you don’t know, and try to guess what could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/before-you-go-on-any-mission-you-need-to-understand-what-you-know/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“An Englishman once said that he found it easier to be a member of a club than of the human race because the bylaws…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/an-englishman-once-said-that-he-found-it-easier-to-be-a-member-of-a/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [I like the process of pencil and paper as opposed to a machine. I think the writing is better when it's done in handwriting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/i-like-the-process-of-pencil-and-paper-as-opposed-to-a-machine-i/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [There are a lot of books about the passing of the English aristocracy, but the vast majority of Long Islanders don't understand their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/there-are-a-lot-of-books-about-the-passing-of-the-english-aristocracy/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“and some other shit, and the wife—can’t remember her name—would cry a lot. The kids were young. Three of them. They were okay, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/and-some-other-shit-and-the-wife-can-t-remember-her-name-would-cry-a/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“Well, no one ever said the truth would make you happy—only free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/well-no-one-ever-said-the-truth-would-make-you-happy-only-free/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) [Explore all 139 Nelson DeMille quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) [Christopher K. Krebs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-k-krebs/) > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) [Markus Herz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-herz/) > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I try to use short sentences, short paragraphs and short chapters to keep the reader's interest.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nelson DeMille" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/i-try-to-use-short-sentences-short-paragraphs-and-short-chapters-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Books" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/i-try-to-use-short-sentences-short-paragraphs-and-short-chapters-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13d/nelson-demille-3019_books_i-try-to-use-short-sentences-short-parag_2116266.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13d/nelson-demille-3019_books_i-try-to-use-short-sentences-short-parag_2116266.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13d/nelson-demille-3019_books_i-try-to-use-short-sentences-short-parag_2116266.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I try to use short sentences, short paragraphs and short chapters to keep the reader's interest.” — Nelson DeMille", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Nelson DeMille", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I try to use short sentences,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/i-try-to-use-short-sentences-short-paragraphs-and-short-chapters-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/i-try-to-use-short-sentences-short-paragraphs-and-short-chapters-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```