How do I learn to write concisely?
Ask HN: I find writing difficult, how do I make it easy?
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Re: Ask HN: I find writing difficult, how do I make it easy?
#2Re: Ask HN: I find writing difficult, how do I make it easy?
#3Re: Ask HN: I find writing difficult, how do I make it easy?
#4Practice will help. Reading other people's writing will also help - find examples of writing you like.
Most product documentation is abysmal. Here is a random, but reasonably good example: installation instructions for Craft CMS. It assumes some technical knowledge, but the description is fairly clear: https://docs.craftcms.com/v3/installation.html
I find the 10 tips for clear writing at the following link very helpful:
https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2019/08/27/podcast-on-writing/
You don't need to listen to the podcast (unless you want to) at the top of the linked page. Scroll down the page and you'll find a short description of each of the following tips:
1. Establish ‘The Point’
2. Write it like you’d say it
3. Don’t try to sound clever
4. Show the thing
5. Know that you are not your writing
6. Share your work
7. Read (poetry in particular)
8. Never start with a blank page
9. Know when enough is enough
10. Stay human
Edit: another example I wanted to share of clear writing. The NHS (National Health Service in the UK) has an excellent A-Z of health conditions website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/
I have always liked how clear, straightforward and simple the entries are without the information being 'dumbed down' in any way. Here is a random health entry (on epilepsy) to illustrate: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/epilepsy/
Re: Ask HN: I find writing difficult, how do I make it easy?
#5Then it's not finished except possibly in the "out of time" sense.
Re: Ask HN: I find writing difficult, how do I make it easy?
#6Reading about writing will help too. “The Elements of Style” is great, as is Stephen King’s “On Writing” (for the latter, ignore the parts focused on fiction).
Re: Ask HN: I find writing difficult, how do I make it easy?
#7Writing well is hard. You should struggle to write well. The fact that just about everyone can write makes it even harder.
Re: Ask HN: I find writing difficult, how do I make it easy?
#8Re: Ask HN: I find writing difficult, how do I make it easy?
#9So the first hurdle of writing is to overcome our fear. We may be wrong. But we can write it down and present it. If we are wrong, we can admit it. We'll write better as a result.