Some things I've learnt about writing • Hacker News Board

Re: Some things I've learnt about writing

#11

Post by tgrass » Fri, Jul 13, 2012, 4:06 PM UTC

telemachos wrote: post #4

As 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 second Towards Clarity and Grace.

Additionally, Orwell's Politics and the English Language https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.htm.

And as for listening to editors, the world is your editor. Put your writing into the hands of anyone you can and ask for feedback. When someone says it is great, thank them and move on until you find someone who can honestly provide constructive criticism...your work is never great.

Re: Some things I've learnt about writing

#12

Post by tgrass » Fri, Jul 13, 2012, 4:16 PM UTC

Swizec wrote: post #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.

"Write for yourself" is shorthand. In part, it's to get an individual writing. After a hundred pages of short stories and essays it might evolve to a more restrictive "find your voice".

Once a writer finds a consistent voice, with recurring themes and techniques, the call to write for oneself is unnecessary. There's enough material for an editor to work with that more specific and constructive criticism can be given.

Re: Some things I've learnt about writing

#13

Post by jeremyt » Fri, Jul 13, 2012, 5:15 PM UTC

telemachos wrote: post #8

jeremyt wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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. :)

I'm just going to fess up and say that I didn't read the linked post, just the comments.

Re: Some things I've learnt about writing

#14

Post by wmat » Fri, Jul 13, 2012, 5:16 PM UTC

telemachos wrote: post #4

As 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]…

Two books I've found quite useful are:

The Elements of F*cking Style: a helpful parody. http://www.amazon.ca/Elements-cking-Style-Helpful-Parody/dp/...

The Yahoo Style Guide http://www.amazon.ca/Yahoo-Style-Guide-Ultimate-Sourcebook/d...

Re: Some things I've learnt about writing

#15

Post by AhtiK » Fri, Jul 13, 2012, 5:53 PM UTC

My favorite book on writing comes from advertising. Two authors, Kenneth Roman (former Ogivly CEO) and Joel Raphaelson (former Ogivly creative director): Writing That Works (http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Works-Communicate-Effectively-...)

This book has been transforming my long and vague e-mails, letters and blog posts into more crisp and to the point while keeping the tone of the message. Still learning, the book has tons of concrete advice to follow.

Re: Some things I've learnt about writing

#16

Post by b_emery » Fri, Jul 13, 2012, 5:58 PM UTC

> One risk with technical writing is what I call the fog of knowledge. You know so much about a subject that it's hard to write for someone who isn't as knowledgeable.

Never heard it described that way, but it brilliantly summarizes the point. I think this is why you sometimes learn better from peers than from profs (or other teachers).

Re: Some things I've learnt about writing

#17

Post by dfc » Fri, Jul 13, 2012, 6:41 PM UTC

telemachos wrote: post #4

As 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 would add Garner's Modern American Usage.

Re: Some things I've learnt about writing

#18

Post by telemachos » Fri, Jul 13, 2012, 8:47 PM UTC

jeremyt wrote: post #13

telemachos wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Without arguing for or against it, I'll just say it's the first book JGC recommends in his linked post. :)

I'm just going to fess up and say that I didn't read the linked post, just the comments.

We all do it sometimes, and it's no big deal. I just couldn't pass up the smile.

Re: Some things I've learnt about writing

#19

Post by danmaz74 » Mon, Jul 23, 2012, 8:45 AM UTC

Swizec wrote: post #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.

Maybe we should interpret that advice as "write about something that is interesting to you"? You could write about something that you find genuinely interesting, but in a way that makes it accessible to your audience (which isn't yourself, unless you're wrinting your personal diary).