I like good strong words that mean something, and I can’t abide the little elegant ones that say nothing at all; I had rather have a single honest sentence, rough and true, than a page of silken phrases that slip through your fingers and leave you empty-handed when you most want help.
Jo states a craft and a creed. The contrast between ‘strong’ and ‘elegant’ words maps her character. Metaphors of grip and emptiness turn style into usefulness. This longer pull clarifies why she will outgrow sensational pieces. It also carries a feminist undertone: girls deserve language that holds. Readers who crave clarity feel seen. Voice and values align.