As the world becomes increasingly digital, writing becomes more important. This is especially true for non-writers. If you work in an office, the majority of your communications are made with text by email or IM.Whether you like it or not, your ability to exchange ideas, collaborate with others, and ultimately succeed, hinges on the ability to write effectively.Earlier this week, K. Stone laid out a process to help you write faster, better, and easier. To follow up, here are 10 timeless tips to help you improve style and substance, straight from the pens of humanity’s finest authors.
Writing Tips
1. Cut the boring parts
I try to leave out the parts that people skip. ~Elmore Leonard
Unless you’re writing for personal reasons alone, you need to consider the attention of your readers. There’s no point is publishing content that isn’t useful, interesting, or both.2. Eliminate unnecessary words
Substitute “damn” every time you’re inclined to write “very;” your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. ~Mark Twain
I used to feel that using words like “really”, “actually”, or “extremely” made writing more forceful. It doesn’t. They only get in the way. Cut them and never look back.3. Write with passion
Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth
It’s not hard to realize that unless you’re excited about your writing no one else will be.4. Paint a picture
Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. ~Anton Chekhov
Simply stating something is fine, but when you need to capture attention, using similes, metaphors, and vivid imagery to paint a picture creates a powerful emotional response.5. Keep it simple
Vigorous writing is concise. ~William Strunk Jr.
Maybe it was all those late nights, struggling to fill out mandatory 10 page papers, but many people seem to think that worthwhile writing is long and drawn out. It’s more difficult (and effective) to express yourself in the simplest possible manner.6. Do it for love
Write without pay until somebody offers to pay. ~Mark Twain
When you’re just starting out it’s hard to decide where to begin. So don’t. Just start writing. A blog is a good place to start. The most valuable benefit is the feedback.7. Learn to thrive on criticism
You have to know how to accept rejection and reject acceptance. ~Ray Bradbury
Writing means putting yourself at the mercy of anonymous hecklers and shameless sycophants. Learn to make the most of the insults and distrust the praise.8. Write all the time
Quantity produces quality. If you only write a few things, you’re doomed. ~Ray Bradbury
The way you define yourself as a writer is that you write every time you have a free minute. If you didn’t behave that way you would never do anything. ~John Irving
9. Write what you know … or what you want to know
If any man wish to write in a clear style, let him be first clear in his thoughts; and if any would write in a noble style, let him first possess a noble soul. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Successful writing is all about trust and authority. It makes sense to write about your area of expertise. If you don’t have an expertise, reading and writing is the best way to develop one and put it on display.10. Be unique and unpredictable
I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite. ~G.K. Chesterton
Following what works will only get you so far. Experiment with new styles, even if it means taking criticism. Without moving forward, you’ll be left behind.
At the risk of offering you praise
Great article, thanks. I enjoy your blog and your guest writers too.
cheers
Ha thanks. I completely agree that the guest writers have been doing a great job.
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I really like the Eliminating unnecessary words one. It makes such a difference and the writing sounds so much clearer, but it’s always very tempting to include those words. Since they don’t really convey anything, they should be dropped.
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Following this format, I should throw out 95% of the books I’ve read?
Wait, that’s a damn good idea! (ok, delete the word damn if you must)
That was some great practical advice on writing. I am glad I was able to read it. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the tips.. Since I am in process of trying to write a novel it gives me a lot to think about. I shall print it out and save it for future reference.
“Maybe it was all those late nights, struggling to fill out mandatory 10 page papers, but many people seem to think that worthwhile writing is long and drawn out. It’s more difficult (and effective) to express yourself in the simplest possible manner.”
This is superb advice for writing memos and task-oriented email. It’s decent advice for writing instruction manuals. It’s downright dreadful advice for writing fiction, or even for journal-type blogging. (Unless you’re blogging with the intent of becoming better at writing memos.)
In fact, it’s not even a good idea for textbooks. This example is getting worn out, but try taking a double-sided Physics 101 cheat sheet–you can buy these in most college bookstores–and learning physics from it. If you succeed, followup by learning Physics 102 from the actual textbook (which is “long and drawn out,” compared to the cheat sheet). Then tell me which is more effective at conveying ideas.
The cheat sheet is preferable if you only need to be reminded of that which you already know well; not if you’re trying to grasp something new.
Succinct is often good, but the idea that shorter is automatically better, is poison to clear communication.
I’m a newly pubbed novelist and the assistant editor of The Literary Review. This compilation is FANTASTIC! I’d love to use it in my classes. Thank you so much for putting this together.
Best,
Lisa Dale
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I felt the article was excellent. Too often, I find myself being redundant and using the usually unnecessary words “very” and “really”.
To Vin Diesel (above comment). You may have missed the point. From what John wrote, I didn’t get the idea he was talking about omitting essential points or explanations. Give enough information to completely cover a given subject and make it understandable, then – shut up. His article, in fact, was not extremely short. Justlong enough to completely get the point and all it’s elements across, and no more.
Duane
Excellent list. I always wonder why some people like their articles long even if it is not necessary. It will only bring more boredom to the readers.
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Vin Diesel — I agree with you that shorter isn’t necessarily better. The point was that simpler is better, as long as it contains the same information content, as Duane already pointed out.
Lisa Dale — Thank you! You’re more than welcome to use the article in your classes.
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Great reminders. We know that long articles are boring, especially if most of the things written are redundant. But some are still not happy with a simple article. As long as it’s complete and clear, I always settle for simple.
Just what I needed to improve on my writing. Thank You
Oh writing…Did Van Gogh ask for advice when painting a picture? Is writing not another artform? Some of the advice above was to throw out or do the opposite of what you are taught/told…I wonder if the famous writers above had read these tips on blogs in their lifetime…would they have written as they did? Why did Jackson Pollock decide to throw the paint at the canvas? Why did Hemingway decide to write in monosyllabic words and miniscule sentences?
It’s nice to get advice
People write for different reasons
Mix some sugar with some spice
For any of the seasons
Help me on my path
But please don’t hold my hand
When you take a bath,
Alone, or in a band?
Brilliant tips in a brilliant list. I have written it in my diary so that I re-read it in a month, every month, until I follow them!
Thank you for this! It was the “literal” affrimation I was looking for.
rob gruber
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Wonderful, concise article. Thank you for posting it!
Thanks, Heather. I really just tried to stay out of the way and let the quotes speak for themselves.
Another Quote By :John Dewey: Learn by Doing>
I can’t decide whether The Decision Strategist was being ironic or not when he wrote, “I [really] like the Eliminating unnecessary words one. It makes [such] a difference and the writing sounds [so much] clearer, but it’s always [very] tempting to include those words. Since they don’t [really] convey anything, they should be dropped.”
Square brackets added for emphasis.
I don’t have to take writing lessons. I’m Daring Fireball.
Contrapulator — Interesting observation.
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Another good quote:
“If you don’t have the time to read then you lack the time and the tools to write.”
-Stephen King
Just heard another Ray Bradbury gem for writers today, as a matter of fact: “Every writer has a million bad words in them, your job is to keep writing until you’ve gotten them all out of your system.”
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This article really help me. Thanks for sharing.
I am a professional writer. I find these points relevant and accurate.
I want to add one more point for writing on the web. Make your paragraphs smaller. They are easier to read.
Your thoughts John?
Abhinav,
I totally agree, although that’s more of a usability factor. Long, unbroken paragraphs are tough to read on a screen, especially for people who would like to scan the content.
Ray Bradbury has an excellent little book on the writing process called “Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within you”. There’s also another great book by Ralph Keyes entitled, “The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear”. I highly recommend both.
That Ray Bradbury book sounds awesome. Thanks for the suggestions.
that
that is a great article it really helps me and everyone who is involved in the act of writing . thanks alot
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Super. Short & Nice. And I glad to see Anton Checkov in this list. It’s one of my favorites publicist (after Mark Twain, of course
and add your blog to my favorite…
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From a long time i wanted to do something only that i dindnt know what it was? after reading all of this i know what chords to strike!!
i just love to write and i am sure soon i’ll write my heart out.
screen under the bath…
Its fried rice, you plick!…
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Hi,
I am, Richard
some nice posts here
look at my site:
http://0SRs3zgc0.spaces.live.com/
Great selection. The answers to “Vin Deisel” showed that he had a point, but that it wasn’t in real conflict with the list.
So, a related tip nominee? Einstein’s “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.”
Granted, according to Wikiquote, this is a variant of something he said about making theories; but it looks like good writing advice.
Good tips are availed. Thanks.
Thank you! That was truly amazing…I believe i will apply this not only to my writting, but to my speaking as well.
Kelsie
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didn’t help me one bit! I know all those things! how can one post an article that is so completely “duh” that it makes the reader feel stupid. Thanks for stating the obvious, I’m gonna check out a website a little more interesting…
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it is a systematic and brief art with best pattern of learning how to write for the begginers as well as for the experts with so many to things write but not knowing how to put the thought to words. this piece of writing is very helpful.
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I love to write fiction. I’ve taken 2 courses, hoping to hone my skill. The instructor made clear that a structure was necessary as follows:
Scene:
goal
conflict
disaster
Scenario:
emotion
thought
decision
action
My question: Is this truly a universal structure? According to the instructor, all literature follows this. I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
[...] Mark Twain. Substitute "damn" every time you want to use the word "very." Twain’s thought was that your editor would delete the "damn," and leave the writing as it should be. The short version: eliminate using the word "very." [...]
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