How and Where They Find Their Words by Ogilvy, Leonard, Vonnegut, Hemingway, Orwell, Gaiman, Atwood, Morrison, Fitzgerald, Zinsser, King, Bradbury, Poe, Miller, Steinbeck.
Great post. If we strip away the duplicate advice from all these fine writers, here are ten takeaways:
1. Write. One word after another. Finish what you start.
2. Be clear and simple. Short words. Short sentences. No jargon.
3. Cut ruthlessly. Kill clichés, adverbs, filler, and anything readers skip.
4. Start close to the action. Skip prologues, weather, and throat-clearing.
5. Make every sentence work. Reveal character or advance the story.
6. Give characters desire and trouble. Wanting + conflict = story.
7. Write for one true reader—often yourself. Not the crowd.
8. Revise with distance. Read aloud. Put it away. Seek honest feedback.
9. Read constantly. Great writing grows from great reading.
10. Protect the joy and discipline. Show up daily. Trust your voice.
I updated the article to include your cross over advice, as a TL;DR
Thanks John!
Nice!
Really enjoyed this. So much invaluable experience and wisdom here. Thanks for doing this, Paul.
Thanks much Ellen!
So many gems! Thanks. Some made me laugh out loud - I love that.
Loved your copy story, too. Good info.
Thanks for reading, Angela!
You always have different, interesting stuff - I appreciate that!
Great Post
Thank you, Marilyn.
Wow, this is great, Paul. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it, James.
Great post. If we strip away the duplicate advice from all these fine writers, here are ten takeaways:
1. Write. One word after another. Finish what you start.
2. Be clear and simple. Short words. Short sentences. No jargon.
3. Cut ruthlessly. Kill clichés, adverbs, filler, and anything readers skip.
4. Start close to the action. Skip prologues, weather, and throat-clearing.
5. Make every sentence work. Reveal character or advance the story.
6. Give characters desire and trouble. Wanting + conflict = story.
7. Write for one true reader—often yourself. Not the crowd.
8. Revise with distance. Read aloud. Put it away. Seek honest feedback.
9. Read constantly. Great writing grows from great reading.
10. Protect the joy and discipline. Show up daily. Trust your voice.
I updated the article to include your cross over advice, as a TL;DR
Thanks John!
Nice!
Really enjoyed this. So much invaluable experience and wisdom here. Thanks for doing this, Paul.
Thanks much Ellen!
So many gems! Thanks. Some made me laugh out loud - I love that.
Loved your copy story, too. Good info.
Thanks for reading, Angela!
You always have different, interesting stuff - I appreciate that!
Great Post
Thank you, Marilyn.
Wow, this is great, Paul. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it, James.