Blogger: Mary Keeley
When you Google books on writing, you’ll see a plethora of excellent books by writing experts. It can be overwhelming. How can writers absorb all those volumes at the same time they’re being encouraged to write, write, and write some more in order to improve? All in the midst of living life. Sometimes mulling over a few cogent quotes from experts can lift the fog and prompt a breakthrough for a writer.
I’ve chosen the following excerpts because they apply to both fiction and nonfiction writing.
William Strunk, Jr. says this in his must-have book on writing, The Elements of Style, co-authored with E. B. White:
…when a sentence is made stronger, it usually becomes shorter. Thus brevity is a byproduct of vigor.
The writer’s vigor. He also says this:
The surest way to arouse and hold the attention of the reader is by being specific, definitive, and concrete. The greatest writers—Homer, Dante, Shakespeare—are effective largely because they deal in particulars and report the details that matter. Their words call up pictures.
And this one. Although I haven’t read Samuel Delany’s book, About Writing: Seven Essays, Four Letters, & Five Interviews, the distinction he makes in this quote cuts to the chase:
Talented writing makes things happen in the reader’s mind—vividly, forcefully—that good writing, which stops with clarity and logic, doesn’t.
These short sound bytes are themselves examples of the lessons they teach. The cases for tight prose, perfectly chosen words, and the importance of being specific and concrete are communicated in a total of 82 words, making them easy to remember. Post these and others that speak to your writing challenges at your workspace for quick reminders.
Let’s talk. What is it about these quotes that make them cogent and memorable? How are they guiding you today? Do you recall a sound byte from a book on writing that jumped off the page at you? What was it, and why was it relevant to you?
TWEETABLE:
These sound bytes on writing well speak volumes. Click to Tweet.
Grammar Police-This One’s For You!
To me, the strongest and most effective verse in the Bible is also the shortest – “Jesus wept.”
* Those two words completely embrace the concept of God Incarnate, with Divine sympathy and very human tears.
Indeed, Andrew. That is perhaps the best example ever.
From “Grit” by Angela Duckworth:
“Any successful person has to decide what to do in part by deciding what NOT to do.”
* This applies to writing–half of my writing work is deciding what NOT to write. The delete key is my friend.
Shirlee, I love your positive attitude toward deleting as a part of forward progress.
I love this, dear Shirlee. The delete key is a blessing for burning dross.
Mary, each of the sound bytes is well worth reading and remembering. I’ll add advice from author Elmore Leonard, who advises cutting out the parts most people skip, which boils down to “write tight.”
Richard, that’s a valuable addition to the list.
“…when a sentence is made stronger, it usually becomes shorter. Thus brevity is a byproduct of vigor.”
Sooooooooo true!!!
And it is HARD!
“Writing is not life, but I think that sometimes it can be a way back to life.”
Stephen King.
I read ‘On Writing’ very early on my writing walk. It was fascinating that it was just as much about his life as it was about his work.
And that quote is most definitely, exactly, and entirely what writing has done for me. God saved me by dusting me off and setting me on the writer’s path.
Jennifer, good point about how the writing life can bless writers as well as readers.
The one quote that guides me is:
* “You’re not writing for an audience. You’re writing for a person who’s giving you their time and attention.”
That is a good sound byte for remembering that it’s all about the readers.
That one is borderline profound.
Great quote, Andrew. It reminds me to focus on my target audience. We can only please the readers we’re called to write for; I keep forgetting this during edits and revisions.
Well, the words I love weren’t found in a book, but I read it here on this blog. I don’t have it word for word, but Rachelle once wrote something like, “Let everything you write be excellent.” I certainly don’t have that mastered, but I think of it often. I try.
*And I’m working on my new WordPress blog … I’m so excited. I’m clapping my hands … because I think I’ve finally figured it out. I must have gotten smarter from the last time I tried because it seemed easier this time. Lol. But I still can’t figure out how to add “share buttons” to the bottom of my posts. If you want to see … shellilittleton.com … I finally have my own domain. Yay! It still needs some work, but maybe I’ll get there. 🙂
I figured out the share buttons. Yay!
Sweet Shelli, I love the header picture on your new blog. And I noticed your share buttons work well too. 🙂
Love the newsite, Shelli!
Thank you, Andrew. I can’t believe I finally figured it out. 🙂
Folks here at the blog: do click on Shelli’s name and visit her site today. Her posting is powerful! It is SO worth the time to visit.
You are so sweet, Carol. I’ve had so much encouragement here. Just had to share with y’all.
The byte I recall quickly came from my first book on writing: “You learn best by reading a lot and writing a lot…” – Stephen King.
Good quote and good to see you here, Michael. Hope things are going well so you can do some writing.
“This letter is too long, but I haven’t time to make it shorter.”
Thomas Carlyle, to Ralph Waldo Emerson
Oh … that one is good!
I struggle so much with brevity, but I am convinced that what is succinct has the chance to be powerful.
Thank you, dear Mary, for this distilled elixir of writing tips. I keep a copy of “The Elements of Style” in my Kindle bag; I noticed its thinness echoes its conciseness. Reading the chapter “Shi–y First Drafts” in Anne Lamott’s book, “Bird by Bird,” saved my writing soul from giving up. She says, “All good writers write them.” Sighs of hope.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
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