William Zinsser's "On Writing Well"

[FreaqyFrequency]

I created this thread for two purposes.

1) To tell you about a book that, if you have not read, you should.
2) To galvanize me into finishing it.

About 3 months ago, my sister was packing up her room so that she could move out for her new job. One of the things she gave to me was this book. I thanked her, flipped through a couple pages, and was mildly interested, but was distracted by something else at the time.

Fast forward to about two weeks ago. I'm cleaning my room up, and I find this book again, and I put it aside to pick up later. After I finish my room, I make myself a chai and sit down to read it.

I tell you now, I have never had my mind so blown by reading a book on writing. In fact, I think Mr. Zinsser did himself a disservice by implying that this book is just for writers. His writing style attracts the attention, he presents good examples at relevant points in the book, and you can tell he is writing from the heart. He doesn't use cliches or exaggerate his own intelligence by using hundred-dollar words every other sentence, he has no need to.

This book has already helped me as a writer, as a reader, as a musician, and my entire outlook on life in general. If you have the means, do yourself a favor and pick it up.

http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Well-3...1824514&sr=8-1

-Sean

[Pilgrim]

Writing is extremely important. I tell many people - including scientists that I work with - that if you can't communicate what you know, then no matter what you know, it doesn't matter!

The writing I deal with even in graduate classes is often at high school level or less - and I don't let it pass.

I agree with Zinsser that writing should be clear, accurate and to the point. I often suggest that students read their work out loud before submitting it - if they did so, it would reveal many of the problems that should not be present in a work that anyone else is allowed to read.

And I just ordered a copy of the book. Even sitting here with a Ph.D. and critiquing student writing, I can always use a good reference and a brush-up.

[FreaqyFrequency]

Bumping to say that I just finished it tonight.

I'll echo my previous sentiment: I've never had my mind so transformed from reading a book on writing. The man breathes tastefulness, and cares for every word like they are his own flesh and blood. All in all, reading this book is an excellent way to present a fresh approach to your writing style (and perhaps more, if you transfer the context to other areas of interest, such as music), and in all honesty, to write more like yourself, and less like you think society wants you to write.

You should check it out, even if you have minimal interest in writing, or in accelerating your writing proficiency.

-Sean

[Norwegianwood]

Thank you!

I found a highly inspiring excerpt online, with this this distinct quote causing me to experience a remarkable sense of familiarity:

"A writer will do anything to avoid the act of writing. I can testify from my newspaper days that the number of trips made to the water cooler per reporter-hour far exceeds the body's known need for fluids".

(Or let´s just say the quote was good.).

Here´s the link:
http://www.cla.wayne.edu/polisci/kdk...es/zinsser.htm

[JimB52]

I never thought I'd see his name on this forum. TB is a constant source of suprise to me.
I went to school with his daughter Amy, and my mom was a good friend of his.
What little I know of writing I learned from him. It's good to see that his work is still, well, working.

[FreaqyFrequency]

That's a really cool story Jim.

As for your last line, it just goes to show that old does not always mean irrelevant, and often quite the contrary.

[smperry]

I agree that it is a great book, and I've taught writing.

Originally Posted by FreaqyFrequency

He doesn't use cliches or exaggerate his own intelligence by using hundred-dollar words every other sentence, he has no need to.

-Sean

Nothing sets off my BS meter quicker than a person who writes with cliches or unnecessarily long words!

[Deluge Of Sound]

William Strunk wrote the definitive book on writing.

Stephen King wrote the best book on writing.

Zinsser's book is a great one for straight non-fiction, though.

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by Norwegianwood

Thank you!

I found a highly inspiring excerpt online, with this this distinct quote causing me to experience a remarkable sense of familiarity:

"A writer will do anything to avoid the act of writing. I can testify from my newspaper days that the number of trips made to the water cooler per reporter-hour far exceeds the body's known need for fluids".

(Or let´s just say the quote was good.).

Here´s the link:
http://www.cla.wayne.edu/polisci/kdk...es/zinsser.htm

This is accurate. I used to work for a few writers who were lucky enough to make a good living writing for the Simpsons. We were having a beer one day and the subject of my own stories came up. I told him how ritualized I was before I actually sat down to write. I lamented how ineffecient it was and he just smiled.

"Writers are procrastinators," he said. "We all are. It's part of the process."

Those words have stuck with me ten years later. This writer's name was Jonathan Collier. You can look his name up if you want. He was a good dude to work for.