PHRASES AND WORDS

 

Today I arose “at the peep of dawn,” because I was “not feeling up to par” and decided to work on my dictionary, mainly because I “don´t have a penny to my name” and after “taking counsel with my pillow” I “pinned all my hopes” on selling this book to a big publisher for a hefty advance. (57 words)

 

Let me rewrite the above without idiomatic phrases: Today I arose early because I was feeling unwell and decided to work on my dictionary, mainly because I am poor, and after some consideration, I set my hopes on selling this book to a big publisher for a hefty advance. (41 words)

 

Which version is better? Which one do you prefer and why?