Look for the clutter in your writing and prune it ruthlessly. Be grateful for everything you can throw away. Reexamine each sentence you put on paper. Is… Read more “Prune Clutter Ruthlessly”
Day: October 7, 2019
Give The Readers Room
Readers must be given room to bring their own emotions to a piece so crammed with emotional content; the writer must tenaciously resist explaining why the material… Read more “Give The Readers Room”
Writing Is Hard Work
Writing is hard work. A clear sentence is no accident. Very few sentences come out right the first time, or even the third time. Remember this in… Read more “Writing Is Hard Work”
Write In The First Person
I almost always urge people to write in the first person. Writing is an act of ego and you might as well admit it. Goodreads.com. (2019). William… Read more “Write In The First Person”
Writing Is A Powerful Search Mechanism
There are many good reasons for writing that have nothing to do with being published. Writing is a powerful search mechanism, and one of its satisfactions is… Read more “Writing Is A Powerful Search Mechanism”
Your Sentences Will Fall Apart
If the nails are weak, your house will collapse. If your verbs are weak and your syntax is rickety, your sentences will fall apart. Goodreads.com. (2019). William… Read more “Your Sentences Will Fall Apart”
Keep A Tight Rein On Your Subjective Self
As a writer you must keep a tight rein on your subjective self—the traveler touched by new sights and sounds and smells—and keep an objective eye on… Read more “Keep A Tight Rein On Your Subjective Self”
Rewriting Is Where The Game Is Won Or Lost
Rewriting is the essence of writing well: it’s where the game is won or lost. Goodreads.com. (2019). William Zinsser Quotes (Author of On Writing Well). [online] Available… Read more “Rewriting Is Where The Game Is Won Or Lost”
Careful Writers Can’t Stop Fiddling
Many people assume that professional writers don’t need to rewrite; the words just fall in place. On the contrary, careful writers can’t stop fiddling. Writers must therefore… Read more “Careful Writers Can’t Stop Fiddling”