Writers on Writing: Advice From the Pros
Professional writers have much to tell us about the writing process, from overcoming writer's block to revising and editing. Let's see what advice we can pick up from the pros.
Advice from One Writer to Another
Professional writers have a lot to tell us about the writing process. Some of the advice may be helpful, some of it encouraging, and some may do no more than raise a smile.
Professional writers have a lot to tell us about the writing process. Some of the advice may be helpful, some of it encouraging, and some may do no more than raise a smile.
Advice from One Writer to Another (part two)
More advice on writing from professional writers, past and present.
More advice on writing from professional writers, past and present.
Writers on Writing
Excerpts from twelve of the authors who have contributed pieces to the New York Times column "Writers on Writing."
Excerpts from twelve of the authors who have contributed pieces to the New York Times column "Writers on Writing."
What Is the Secret of Good Writing?
There must be a secret to good writing--the kind of writing we enjoy, remember, learn from, and try to imitate. While countless writers have been willing to reveal that secret, only rarely do they seem to agree on what it is. Here are ten of those not-so-secret revelations about good writing.
There must be a secret to good writing--the kind of writing we enjoy, remember, learn from, and try to imitate. While countless writers have been willing to reveal that secret, only rarely do they seem to agree on what it is. Here are ten of those not-so-secret revelations about good writing.
What Is the Difference Between a Good Writer and a Bad Writer?
Here are ten writers and editors, ranging from Cicero to Stephen King, offering their thoughts on the differences between a good writer and a bad writer.
Here are ten writers and editors, ranging from Cicero to Stephen King, offering their thoughts on the differences between a good writer and a bad writer.
Writers on Writing: Overcoming Writer's Block
For many of us, the hardest part of writing is getting started. And we're not alone. Many professional writers have experienced--and, more importantly, overcome--writer's block. So let's see what advice we can pick up from the pros.
For many of us, the hardest part of writing is getting started. And we're not alone. Many professional writers have experienced--and, more importantly, overcome--writer's block. So let's see what advice we can pick up from the pros.
Writers on Writing: The Myth of Inspiration
Are you the sort of writer who has to be in just the right mood before the words start to flow? Professional writers say that waiting for inspiration to strike is usually just a striking waste of time.
Are you the sort of writer who has to be in just the right mood before the words start to flow? Professional writers say that waiting for inspiration to strike is usually just a striking waste of time.
Where Are the Best Places to Write?
If a cork-lined room isn't available, where is the place to write? J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, Annie Dillard, and several other professional writers offer some advice.
If a cork-lined room isn't available, where is the place to write? J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, Annie Dillard, and several other professional writers offer some advice.
Writers on Rewriting
Too often in schools the injunction to "write it over again" is delivered (or at least perceived) as a punishment or dull chore. But as the twelve professionals here remind us, rewriting is an essential part of composing. And in the end it truly can be the most rewarding part.
Too often in schools the injunction to "write it over again" is delivered (or at least perceived) as a punishment or dull chore. But as the twelve professionals here remind us, rewriting is an essential part of composing. And in the end it truly can be the most rewarding part.
What Is Style?
What does it mean to write "with style"? Here we consider some of the different ways in which 24 professional writers have defined and characterized style.
What does it mean to write "with style"? Here we consider some of the different ways in which 24 professional writers have defined and characterized style.
The Power and Pleasure of Metaphor: Writers on Writing With Metaphors
Over the centuries, writers have not only been making good metaphors but also studying these powerful figurative expressions--considering where metaphors come from, what purposes they serve, why we enjoy them, and how we understand them. Here are the thoughts of fourteen writers, philosophers, and critics on the power and pleasure of metaphor.
Over the centuries, writers have not only been making good metaphors but also studying these powerful figurative expressions--considering where metaphors come from, what purposes they serve, why we enjoy them, and how we understand them. Here are the thoughts of fourteen writers, philosophers, and critics on the power and pleasure of metaphor.
Writers on English Spelling
English spelling is complicated, inconsistent, and often downright ornery. But don't take our word for it. Consider what some well-known writers have had to say about English orthography.
English spelling is complicated, inconsistent, and often downright ornery. But don't take our word for it. Consider what some well-known writers have had to say about English orthography.
To a Thesaurus, by Franklin P. Adams
In this poem (included in "Tobogganing on Parnassus," 1912), Franklin P. Adams (better known as FPA) delivers an amusing encomium to the poet's best friend--his thesaurus.
In this poem (included in "Tobogganing on Parnassus," 1912), Franklin P. Adams (better known as FPA) delivers an amusing encomium to the poet's best friend--his thesaurus.
How to Avoid Writing, by Robert Benchley
Humorist Robert Benchley (1889-1945) describes the sort of commitment that NOT writing demands.
Humorist Robert Benchley (1889-1945) describes the sort of commitment that NOT writing demands.
William F. Buckley on Words
William F. Buckley, Jr., once wrote, "I am often accused of an inordinate reliance on unusual words, and desire to defend myself against the insinuation that I write as I do simply to prove that I have returned recently from the bowels of a dictionary with a fish in my mouth." Here he presents his defense.
William F. Buckley, Jr., once wrote, "I am often accused of an inordinate reliance on unusual words, and desire to defend myself against the insinuation that I write as I do simply to prove that I have returned recently from the bowels of a dictionary with a fish in my mouth." Here he presents his defense.
Anthony Burgess on the English Language
Anthony Burgess's "Language Made Plain" is an engaging and informed introduction to the field of linguistics. And his occasional outbursts are reserved for targets significantly larger and more ominous than abusers of "whom" or fans of "irregardless."
Anthony Burgess's "Language Made Plain" is an engaging and informed introduction to the field of linguistics. And his occasional outbursts are reserved for targets significantly larger and more ominous than abusers of "whom" or fans of "irregardless."
Eight or Nine Wise Words About Letter-Writing by Lewis Carroll
Known to the world by the pseudonym Lewis Carroll (author of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass"), Charles Lutwidge Dodgson composed this essay on letter writing to accompany the Wonderland Stamp-Case, which he himself had designed.
Known to the world by the pseudonym Lewis Carroll (author of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass"), Charles Lutwidge Dodgson composed this essay on letter writing to accompany the Wonderland Stamp-Case, which he himself had designed.
Natalia Ginzburg: On Being a Great Small Writer
Whether or not writing turns out to be your profession, it's quite likely to be something you will do all your life. Thought of in this way, the goal of becoming the sort of "small writer" that Natalia Ginzburg describes is itself, perhaps, a great ambition.
Whether or not writing turns out to be your profession, it's quite likely to be something you will do all your life. Thought of in this way, the goal of becoming the sort of "small writer" that Natalia Ginzburg describes is itself, perhaps, a great ambition.
Doris Lessing on the Compulsion to Write
When asked by Bill Moyers why she continued to write, Doris Lessing said, "I have to. It is what I do." Writing can be a delicious compulsion--one that perhaps only fellow writers can truly understand.
When asked by Bill Moyers why she continued to write, Doris Lessing said, "I have to. It is what I do." Writing can be a delicious compulsion--one that perhaps only fellow writers can truly understand.
Bernard Levin on Writers and Writing
Bernard Levin was one of the most erudite, influential, and controversial journalists of his era. Here, in addition to offering some of Levin's observations on writers and writing, we have included a sentence in which he used 109 consecutive adjectives to describe the Conservative government of the day.
Bernard Levin was one of the most erudite, influential, and controversial journalists of his era. Here, in addition to offering some of Levin's observations on writers and writing, we have included a sentence in which he used 109 consecutive adjectives to describe the Conservative government of the day.
Norman Mailer on Writers and Writing
In the more than 300 interviews given by Norman Mailer over a long career, he freely expressed his views on a broad range of topics. Here we've extracted a few of his comments on writing: on the fear of writer's block (and how to overcome it), the nature of style, the relation between fiction and nonfiction, the value of writing classes, and two of his major literary influences.
In the more than 300 interviews given by Norman Mailer over a long career, he freely expressed his views on a broad range of topics. Here we've extracted a few of his comments on writing: on the fear of writer's block (and how to overcome it), the nature of style, the relation between fiction and nonfiction, the value of writing classes, and two of his major literary influences.
William Somerset Maugham on Writing Without Frills
British novelist William Somerset Maugham understood that becoming a better writer involves confronting our limitations--identifying those qualities that stubbornly resist all our efforts to improve them. But even more important is the next step: building on our strengths.
British novelist William Somerset Maugham understood that becoming a better writer involves confronting our limitations--identifying those qualities that stubbornly resist all our efforts to improve them. But even more important is the next step: building on our strengths.
H.L. Mencken on Teachers of English
In his review of "The Social Objectives of School English," H.L. Mencken employed his lively, combative style to skewer "the worst idiots" in "the slums of pedagogy": teachers of English.
In his review of "The Social Objectives of School English," H.L. Mencken employed his lively, combative style to skewer "the worst idiots" in "the slums of pedagogy": teachers of English.
H.L. Mencken on the Writing Life
Here, in passages drawn from articles and reviews written between 1910 and 1950, are some of Mencken's observations on the writing trade--and some invigorating lessons on how not to be a dull writer.
Here, in passages drawn from articles and reviews written between 1910 and 1950, are some of Mencken's observations on the writing trade--and some invigorating lessons on how not to be a dull writer.
Toni Morrison on Writing
From her early days as an editor at Random House through her many years as a teacher of English at Princeton, Toni Morrison has shown an abiding interest in the writer's craft. Here, in excerpts from a number of interviews, Morrison offers her thoughts on the practice and the process of writing.
From her early days as an editor at Random House through her many years as a teacher of English at Princeton, Toni Morrison has shown an abiding interest in the writer's craft. Here, in excerpts from a number of interviews, Morrison offers her thoughts on the practice and the process of writing.
Joyce Carol Oates: "Don't Give Up"
Even for an author who's as prolific and accomplished as Joyce Carol Oates, writing does not always come easily.
Even for an author who's as prolific and accomplished as Joyce Carol Oates, writing does not always come easily.
George Orwell's Rules for Writers
In George Orwell's best known essay, "Politics and the English Language," he offered six elementary rules as an antidote to what he perceived as "the decay of language" in his time.
In George Orwell's best known essay, "Politics and the English Language," he offered six elementary rules as an antidote to what he perceived as "the decay of language" in his time.
Grace Paley on Writing
In a 1998 interview, poet and short-story writer Grace Paley said that she was so "neurotically anti-authoritarian" that she couldn't read a cookbook instruction "without the furious response: 'Is that a direct order?'" Let's listen to Paley's indomitable voice as she shares her thoughts on writing and the writing process.
In a 1998 interview, poet and short-story writer Grace Paley said that she was so "neurotically anti-authoritarian" that she couldn't read a cookbook instruction "without the furious response: 'Is that a direct order?'" Let's listen to Paley's indomitable voice as she shares her thoughts on writing and the writing process.
Poe on Punctuation
"That punctuation is important all agree," Edgar Allan Poe wrote in 1848, "but how few comprehend the extent of its importance!"
"That punctuation is important all agree," Edgar Allan Poe wrote in 1848, "but how few comprehend the extent of its importance!"
"Murder Your Darlings": Quiller-Couch on Style
While serving as a professor of English at Cambridge University, Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch published a series of lectures titled On the Art of Writing (1916). In these excerpts from his lecture "On Style," Q discusses the dangers of "fine writing," advising students to "Murder your darlings."
While serving as a professor of English at Cambridge University, Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch published a series of lectures titled On the Art of Writing (1916). In these excerpts from his lecture "On Style," Q discusses the dangers of "fine writing," advising students to "Murder your darlings."
Quiller-Couch's Rough Rules for Combating Jargon
The two main vices of jargon, said Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, are "that it uses circumlocution rather than short straight speech" and "that it habitually chooses vague woolly abstract nouns rather than concrete ones." Fortunately, in lecture five of what he called his "course in First Aid to writing," he offered a few "rough rules" for combating jargon.
The two main vices of jargon, said Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, are "that it uses circumlocution rather than short straight speech" and "that it habitually chooses vague woolly abstract nouns rather than concrete ones." Fortunately, in lecture five of what he called his "course in First Aid to writing," he offered a few "rough rules" for combating jargon.
Robert Pirsig on Overcoming Writer's Block and Narrowing a Topic
In "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance," Robert Pirsig recalls a problem shared by many of the students in his creative writing class at Montana State College in Bozeman: "They just couldn't think of anything to say." In this passage he describes the strategy that enabled one student to overcome her writer's block.
In "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance," Robert Pirsig recalls a problem shared by many of the students in his creative writing class at Montana State College in Bozeman: "They just couldn't think of anything to say." In this passage he describes the strategy that enabled one student to overcome her writer's block.
"We Can Do Better": Dr. Seuss on Writing
Here we collect some grownup advice on writing from Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known to children and adults as Dr. Seuss.
Here we collect some grownup advice on writing from Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known to children and adults as Dr. Seuss.
Swift on Style: Keep It Simple
Widely regarded as one of the finest prose stylists in English, Jonathan Swift once defined style as "Proper words in proper places." But who's to say what's "proper"--and just what does Swift's maxim really mean? To find out, let's return to the source.
Widely regarded as one of the finest prose stylists in English, Jonathan Swift once defined style as "Proper words in proper places." But who's to say what's "proper"--and just what does Swift's maxim really mean? To find out, let's return to the source.
Good Advice from the World's Worst Writer
Here we turn to advice from Scotsman Sir Thomas Urquhart (1605-1660), a master of euphuism and one of the world's worst writers.
Here we turn to advice from Scotsman Sir Thomas Urquhart (1605-1660), a master of euphuism and one of the world's worst writers.
James Thurber on Writing and Editing
Some observations from humorist James Thurber on reading, writing, and editing.
Some observations from humorist James Thurber on reading, writing, and editing.
Mark Twain on Words and Wordiness, Grammar and Composition
As his legions of readers are well aware, Mark Twain gloried in expressing himself through language. And throughout his life, this master stylist had a great deal to say about the art of writing and the nature of language.
As his legions of readers are well aware, Mark Twain gloried in expressing himself through language. And throughout his life, this master stylist had a great deal to say about the art of writing and the nature of language.
John Updike on the Pleasures of Writing
John Updike may have been the quintessential "lyrical writer of the ordinary," but extraordinary lessons can still be found both in and beneath the glittering surface of his prose. Here, gathered from a variety of interviews and articles, are a few more lessons from one of the finest writers of the past 50 years.
John Updike may have been the quintessential "lyrical writer of the ordinary," but extraordinary lessons can still be found both in and beneath the glittering surface of his prose. Here, gathered from a variety of interviews and articles, are a few more lessons from one of the finest writers of the past 50 years.
Kurt Vonnegut on Writing with Style
Novelist Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., offers some deceptively simple principles on writing with style.
Novelist Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., offers some deceptively simple principles on writing with style.
Eudora Welty on Listening to Words
"When I read," Eudora Welty once told an interviewer, "I hear what's on the page. I don't know whose voice it is, but some voice is reading to me."
"When I read," Eudora Welty once told an interviewer, "I hear what's on the page. I don't know whose voice it is, but some voice is reading to me."
E.B. White's Drafts of "Once More to the Lake"
It's remarkable what a good writer can do with a seemingly dull subject--though it may take a bit longer than usual to complete the assignment. In this case, the good writer was E.B. White, and the essay that took more than a quarter century to write was "Once More to the Lake."
It's remarkable what a good writer can do with a seemingly dull subject--though it may take a bit longer than usual to complete the assignment. In this case, the good writer was E.B. White, and the essay that took more than a quarter century to write was "Once More to the Lake."
Writers on Writing: E.B. White
Meet essayist E.B. White--and consider the advice he has to offer on writing and the writing process.
Meet essayist E.B. White--and consider the advice he has to offer on writing and the writing process.
Eudora Welty on Listening to Words
"When I read," Eudora Welty once told an interviewer, "I hear what's on the page. I don't know whose voice it is, but some voice is reading to me."
"When I read," Eudora Welty once told an interviewer, "I hear what's on the page. I don't know whose voice it is, but some voice is reading to me."
Virginia Woolf on Keeping a Journal
"The habit of writing for my eye only is good practice," wrote British author Virginia Woolf in her diary. "It loosens the ligaments."
"The habit of writing for my eye only is good practice," wrote British author Virginia Woolf in her diary. "It loosens the ligaments."