Some things I've learnt about writing
blog.jgc.org
Some things I've learnt about writing
1–10 of 19 posts
Re: Some things I've learnt about writing
#2> Think about the reader -> I've often heard people say "write for yourself"
Here's the truth, everyone who tells you they're writing for themselves is lying. If they were writing for themselves, they wouldn't publish it publicly.
Re: Some things I've learnt about writing
#3[deleted]
Re: Some things I've learnt about writing
#4As a counterpoint to the Strunk and White recommendation, please take a look at this: 50 Years of Stupid Grammar Advice[1]. (Note that it doesn't primarily object to the stylistic advice in S&W, which it calls "vapid" but "mostly harmless". The real objections are to the grammatical claims and advice.)
Two books on writing I strongly recommend:
Clear and Simple as the Truth: Writing Classic Prose[2], exerpt here[3].
Style: Towards Clarity and Grace - this one has gone through countless versions as the publisher seems to re-release it every academic year. (Make used copies obsolete and raise the price.) I prefer the older, shorter versions to the more recent ones. It was clearer itself when briefer! Anyhow, here's an author search on Amazon - look for older used copies[4]. Edit: Just found this outline of the 6th ed. of the book. A good way to see what he covers in a hurry.[5]
The first is not a standard writing guide; it's a thoughtful analysis of what makes a certain kind of writing clear and persuasive. The second is a more nuts-and-bolts guide to writing. They're both excellent.
[1]: http://chronicle.com/article/50-Years-of-Stupid-Grammar/2549...
[3]: http://classicprose.com/csx.html
[4]: http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-M.-Williams/e/B001H6MZ40/ref=nt...
Re: Some things I've learnt about writing
#5As a counterpoint to the Strunk and White recommendation, please take a look at this: 50 Years of Stupid Grammar Advice [1]. (Note that it doesn't primarily object to the stylistic advice in S&W, which it calls "vapid" but "mostly harmless". The real objections are to the grammatical claims and advice.) Two books on writing I strongly recommend: Clear and Simple as the Truth: Writing Classic Prose [2], exerpt here[3]…
Thanks for those recommendations. I was looking for my next few books to read.
Re: Some things I've learnt about writing
#6> Think about the reader -> I've often heard people say "write for yourself" Here's the truth, everyone who tells you they're writing for themselves is lying. If they were writing for themselves, they wouldn't publish it publicly.
Why cannot both be true? You write something for yourself, but also publish it in the event that it benefits someone else.
But even so, I think the context here was more like "write the sort of book you would like to read", not strictly "write the book so that I and I alone can then read it".
Re: Some things I've learnt about writing
#7As a counterpoint to the Strunk and White recommendation, please take a look at this: 50 Years of Stupid Grammar Advice [1]. (Note that it doesn't primarily object to the stylistic advice in S&W, which it calls "vapid" but "mostly harmless". The real objections are to the grammatical claims and advice.) Two books on writing I strongly recommend: Clear and Simple as the Truth: Writing Classic Prose [2], exerpt here[3]…
I've read those, which are good, but I think this one is better than all of them put together:
http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Well-30th-Anniversary-Edition/...
Re: Some things I've learnt about writing
#8As a counterpoint to the Strunk and White recommendation, please take a look at this: 50 Years of Stupid Grammar Advice [1]. (Note that it doesn't primarily object to the stylistic advice in S&W, which it calls "vapid" but "mostly harmless". The real objections are to the grammatical claims and advice.) Two books on writing I strongly recommend: Clear and Simple as the Truth: Writing Classic Prose [2], exerpt here[3]…
I've read those, which are good, but I think this one is better than all of them put together: http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Well-30th-Anniversary-Edition/...
Without arguing for or against it, I'll just say it's the first book JGC recommends in his linked post. :)
Re: Some things I've learnt about writing
#9As a counterpoint to the Strunk and White recommendation, please take a look at this: 50 Years of Stupid Grammar Advice [1]. (Note that it doesn't primarily object to the stylistic advice in S&W, which it calls "vapid" but "mostly harmless". The real objections are to the grammatical claims and advice.) Two books on writing I strongly recommend: Clear and Simple as the Truth: Writing Classic Prose [2], exerpt here[3]…
I've read those, which are good, but I think this one is better than all of them put together: http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Well-30th-Anniversary-Edition/...
This book is on my shelf. It's a thoughtful and practical approach to language and writing. The prose in the book is often winking at you as it reveals a principle.
Re: Some things I've learnt about writing
#10> Think about the reader -> I've often heard people say "write for yourself" Here's the truth, everyone who tells you they're writing for themselves is lying. If they were writing for themselves, they wouldn't publish it publicly.
It seems pretty unnecessary to call such people liars. Surely they know their own minds better than you.
Anyhow, it is not too difficult to understand the “write for yourself” aesthetic, if you are willing to make the effort. I think Jane Espenson describes it best: http://www.janeespenson.com/archives/00000619.php