Reading Between the Lines
The Importance of Nuance in Writing
When I first read ‘Kidnapped’ and ‘Treasure Island’ as a teenager, I couldn’t get enough of Robert Louis Stevenson’s world. I still can’t.
The vivid characters, thrilling storytelling and landscapes — the sea, storms, drama and sense of adventure — it was all intoxicating.
But what stayed with me most wasn’t just the swashbuckling stories, but a specific character from Treasure Island who became my favourite.
Long John Silver.
This one-legged rogue is one of the most iconic characters in literary history — arguably the blueprint for Jack Sparrow and every pirate antihero since.
Yet here’s the magic: Stevenson crafts this unforgettable figure in just a few short paragraphs.
The Power of What’s Not Said
Here’s the passage when protagonist Jim Hawkins first meets Long John Silver in the Spy‑Glass Tavern: (Yes AI hawks — RLS used em-dashes too!)…
“As I was waiting, a man came out of a side room, and at a glance I was sure he must be Long John. His left leg was cut off close by the hip, and under the left shoulder he carried a crutch, which he managed with wonderful dexterity, hopping about upon it like a bird. He was very tall and strong, with a face as big as a ham — plain and pale, but intelligent and smiling. Indeed, he seemed in the most cheerful spirits, whistling as he moved about among the tables, with a merry word or a slap on the shoulder for the more favoured of his guests.”
This one paragraph says so much. It conjures an image of a man brutally hardened by life at sea. A smart survivor with guile. Yet someone so tough and indomitable of spirit he still has enough spark and life left in him for two men.
This gets us wondering about Silver’s hinterland and the events and experiences that made him like that. And the more we think about this the more unsettling it becomes.
The writing here is so incredibly descriptive, but Stevenson doesn’t hammer us with adjectives. He doesn’t just tell us Silver’s entire backstory. Instead, he trusts our imagination to fill in the gaps.
And because of that restraint, the character feels all the more real.
Less Is More — Especially in Writing Online
Hemingway used the same approach. His well chosen words, concise sentences and sparse details forced readers to do the work, making his stories feel deeper.
In our own writing — whether it’s a blog post, a newsletter, or a social thread — we can learn from this.
Every extra word risks dulling the edge. Every needless explanation robs the reader of discovery.
Like the white space a talented graphic artist uses to complement their core design elements, we need to convey just enough meaning for readers’ brains to connect the dots.
Because when your audience builds the picture themselves, they’ll remember it far longer.
How to Write With More Nuance
Here are three ways to build meaning with fewer words:
Choose details with intent. A single vivid image in the right context — like Silver’s missing leg juxtaposed with his cheery demeanour — can say more than a page of description.
Trust the reader. You don’t need to explain everything. Implied meaning is often more powerful than stated meaning.
Edit for impact. Cut anything that doesn’t add to the image you want to create. Strong writing is often about subtraction.
The result? Writing that feels sharp, memorable, and alive.
These are the things that make your voice stand out online — and win trust from the readers who matter most.
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