KISS
We all know what K.I.S.S. stands for. Well, I'm changing it up a bit for my own purposes: Keep It Short, Stupid. I am in no way assuming my readers are stupid. After all, you're reading my post. That, alone, assures me you have discerning taste.
Back to Keep It Short -- Anyone can go on and on in indulgent verbosity but few can edit mercilessly and meticulously until the story is trim, with just enough fat to make it interesting.
So keep writing those short stories, articles, blog posts, even letters -- anything that forces you to Keep It Short, Sweetie!