Julian Schmidt (aka our very own Kahn n Singh 
) was one of my faves - guaranteed I'd need a thesaurus each time I read his florid prose (e.g. Lou Ferrigno's 'stentorian roar' when training)
Heh
I elevate Khan above Schmidt. For one, Khan is a genetically engineered ubermensch; Julian, meanwhile, was merely intelligent opposite normal, unmodified homo sapiens -- no match for a homo superioiris.
Secondly, Julian's writing focused unduly on million dollar words and almost stream of consciousness missives that had little bearing on the subject at hand. A fine vocabulary is commendable but, when coupled with constant digressive spiels, we reach a point at which the writer forgets the cardinal rule of good writing and communication: the ability to be understood.
Studying Ernest Hemingway taught me that lesson. Later study of different writing styles in literature, journalism and public relations reinforced it, but Papa was the one who showed me the power of "more is less."
Consider: "Jesus wept" versus "Jesus, tears in his eyes, suffered on the cross." Which has more impact?
We already know he suffered. We already know the means by which He was executed.
Most would agree the first line connotes all of the information we need and, consequently, it comes across with greater power.
Our Khan doesn't multiply words for verbosity's sake. Schmidt? Eh, I don't know. But from my interactions with Mr. McGough, I don't care how many articles he ghost-writ: he was a class-act, gentleman and a neat guy. I hope he rests in eternal peace.
