Which do you prefer? Lurid, fruity prose, awash in imagery and sensuous textures and colors? Or straight-forward, clean, simple prose?
My journalism degree and background seems to almost demand simple and clean prose. That is called good writing. Now good writing can also be descriptive, but “lurid, fruity prose” would seem the antithesis of good writing.
Be obscure clearly! Be wild of tongue in a way we can understand!
William Strunk & E.B. White, The Elements of Style
My English degree and background leads to me to lurid and fruity. However, like you, I enjoy good writing whatever the form. In case you are interested, here is my response:
https://beastmomma.squarespace.com/from-shelf-to-hand/2010/3/18/booking-through-thursday-sensual.html
I think a good balance is the key – and ‘good writing’ depends on the author, genre and subject. Like one blogger said, “We wouldn’t want Hemingway writing Margaret Drabble stories”. Good thought.
Here’s mine:
https://www.bibliobabe.com/?p=921
I prefer authors to err on the side of simplicity when writing.