As writers, we love words. We collect them like candy and sometimes feel tempted to show how many we can fit in our mouths. But when does the complexity of our words begin affecting reader retention?
Writers often can fall into the trap of trying to write on the level of J. R. R. Tolkien, layering descriptions and elevated language in hopes of creating the next epic novel. Instead of poetic fantasy, the result often becomes a sea of purple prose and vocabulary that sits well above the average reader’s comfort zone. As both a reader and an author, I have learned over the years that trying to sound too smart can send a five-star read straight to the DNF pile. As a reader, I have put away many books that seem to try too hard to sound smart rather than focus on the story itself. No one wants to feel talked down to, and sometimes the big words can come off as pretentious rather than smart.
The truth is, sometimes as authors we need to set aside our ego and write for the reader. When someone has to stop and look up a word, they are pulled out of the story. That brief pause is enough to break concentration. Our job is to keep readers invested and eager to turn the next page, not slow them down with fancy words that may fall flat. That’s not to say we shouldn’t use all the words in our vocabulary, but we do need to know our audience.
An editor once gave me advice I will never forget. Do not use words or situations that disrupt a reader’s focus, requiring them to go outside the book for answers. Every new author believes complex vocabulary will make their writing stronger, but often simplicity creates a far more powerful reading experience.
I have heard other writers argue that if a reader does not know a word, they can just Google it. Technically, that is true, but storytelling is about momentum. When a reader reaches for their phone for context, they are no longer emotionally anchored to your characters. Distraction becomes the enemy of that next page turn.
Reading is built on flow. Each sentence should carry the reader to the next. When we insert a word that forces them to pause to find its meaning, we interrupt that rhythm. Some readers will look it up. Most will just skim past or close the book entirely if each page requires a dictionary.
Diving deeper, most commercially successful fiction is written at about a sixth to eighth grade reading level. That does not mean the ideas are childish or lacking literary merit. It means the language is accessible to a wider audience, which ultimately leads to stronger reader connection and, yes, more sales.
In the end, readers are not counting how many impressive words we can stack on a page. They are looking for a story that keeps them hooked. So maybe instead of seeing how much word candy we can fit in our mouths, we should focus on choosing the best-tasting ones that keep readers salivating for more.
Loretta Kendall 