> > I don't think I could disagree more. "Padding" is a bad bad bad bad idea. Every single word you write should have a purpose in the broad scope of things. That this is done does not mean it's a good idea. I find it very annoying when authors meander into irrelevant subplots. Every character and every subplot should have a definitive purpose in the grand scheme of things, and if it doesn't have any better purpose than to stretch the story, out it should go.
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> You do have a point, but you'll have to excuse me...I tend to think in terms of long series/novels as opposed to short stories. It's just habit. The longer a work you're aiming to write, the more you have to pad it to make sure it's going to stretch out...
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> -Trunks

It's even more relevant in a novel. No matter what genre you're writing in, every word should count. If writers need to stretch their story to make it into a novel, they shouldn't be writing novels in the first place.

Brunnen-"probably could have said that in fewer words"G