I believe I applied this last quote to my writing, not knowing about it. But it might be a big truth since my readers love and appreciate my authenticity and style. When you think that everything is already written and that you have little to add you can be quite wrong. Just pause, take some time in silence and find out what happens within. And If you’re brave enough, write it down 💫🍀
Yes Linda, I would love if you would read something mine on my website. My book is coming out soon but on website, you can find unedited versions. Most of people say it’s so personal but I see it differently. Yea, my raw personal thoughts. But just that. It doesn’t say everything about me. Here, is the link, let me know how you see it! 🥰
I have published five science fiction novels, a genre in which authenticity is something of a challenge in that the story and its instrumentality is entirely made up. I shall be vindicated when anti-gravity is invented and it turns out to work the way I said it does.
Well, I completely understand you. Engineering is my background too. Civil Engineering. I believe this gives me even more fuel to question everything and to make a different viewpoints. My writing has nothing to do with engineering but I might be more accurate in my philosophical theories than in my physical calculations 🥰
Imagine my surprise when I discovered, after trotting out my theory of gravity in my first novel, a physicist had already thought of it and published a paper on the topic.
This is what interests me the most: how other writers approach similar themes. So, I believe I can follow your excitement. However, questioning what we know about gravity is a bold move ✨🙂
Absolutely, everything has already been written. And I guess we want to write something that is different. This is hard. Bravery is the key. you are right my friend.
Ohhhhhh! That comment to the student. Ouch! Thanks for this. Wow. It landed hard but so beautifully. On Writing Well is one of my favorites. I need to read it again.
Right? That comment, oh my god. The editor of Harvard Magazine took his class, said it damn near undid him, almost made him want to quit writing. But it helped him find the voice that made him the writer he became. I loved that
Years ago I took a tech writing class taught by a prof from the U of Minnesota. He said learning to write well was like trying to improve your golf game. For a while it will get worse as you struggle to learn the lessons that will improve your game. But if you keep practicing the new techniques, your game will eventually improve, and you will end up playing at a higher level. Now, over forty years later, I can see that he was right.
Hmmmmmm, definitely something I need to consider more.
Sometimes when I write or edit another's work I think "So what..." so why does this matter, why, why is this said. What is the purpose of this. That makes me delete a lot of my words.
I used to drive my staff insane with that question at performance review time in the fall “so what?” - “why is that accomplishment so important?, why should anyone care about it?”, “why do you even bother coming to work every day?” They would just sit there fuming at me. Give me more - what are features, advantages, benefits, of the work/project?, how might it change how the country is doing something?, how much money might it save x,y,z? Come back in a couple of days with a better story.
Lmao Chuck. Nah. Leave them. It's like a trail of breadcrumbs that lets you see your progress. Sometimes I look at my old writing and cringe. But cringing means I have improved. lol
Oh so true. I wrote about my grandparents - the story was about his ptsd and her bravery, holding the family together, but I built it with little things I'd heard about - my grandfather ran away from a 4th of July parade frightened by a bugle - and so on. And my novella won a prize from Miami University. I just hope I can remember the lesson and do it again. Great post! I'm off to buy his book...
Omg, Terri, congrats on winning a prize from the Uni. Nice way to let you know what you wrote moved people, you know? Of course you do. I had to read the book real slow. It's just so packed that I needed time between readings to digest. lol
On Writing Well sits on my desk. Unopened. I knew I needed that book, but as yet, haven’t read it. Your post has chastised me to pick up that book and learn from a man who is still teaching, posthumously. But more than his book, this post has given me much to think about. Write small and go big. I can think of many posts I’ve written that seemed small to me… yet those were the ones that got the most mileage. I need to reevaluate and begin again. Thanks for an amazing post! I will save and revisit often. 🙌🏼❤️👏🏼🫶🏼😉✍🏼📚
I love that, Shelley--that those were the stories that got most mileage. You might need to read the book real slow. I sure did. There's so much to digest I had to read in bits and keep coming back to it. I'm glad you enjoyed this, thanks!
Linda I loved this. I am someone who wants to learn to write. I’m afraid to start. To fail. But this gives me hope. I feel like I have a lot of small bits of my life that are meaningful and can touch others and maybe go big. I admit I get tired of reading words that bore me I like to get to the meat of it. But to learn to do write like that and create something that flows I guess I gotta just get out there and practice! Buying the book:)
I truly believe that if you want to write, that's an indicator that you should. It's scary, and doing it is hard. But oh, it feels so good when you've written something that moves a reader. I always tell people if you only ever read one book about writing, make it that one. It's all you need. And when you write your very first post, come back and let me know, I'll come read. :)
I have his book in my writing office -- time to crack it open again, although I cherish a magical belief that it seeps into my keyboard through osmosis just by sitting there on my bookshelf. Write small to find big -- so simple in principle and so difficult in execution.
Insightful. Thanks for posting!
Thanks John :)
I believe I applied this last quote to my writing, not knowing about it. But it might be a big truth since my readers love and appreciate my authenticity and style. When you think that everything is already written and that you have little to add you can be quite wrong. Just pause, take some time in silence and find out what happens within. And If you’re brave enough, write it down 💫🍀
Yes Linda, I would love if you would read something mine on my website. My book is coming out soon but on website, you can find unedited versions. Most of people say it’s so personal but I see it differently. Yea, my raw personal thoughts. But just that. It doesn’t say everything about me. Here, is the link, let me know how you see it! 🥰
https://violetactually.com/
I have published five science fiction novels, a genre in which authenticity is something of a challenge in that the story and its instrumentality is entirely made up. I shall be vindicated when anti-gravity is invented and it turns out to work the way I said it does.
Well, I completely understand you. Engineering is my background too. Civil Engineering. I believe this gives me even more fuel to question everything and to make a different viewpoints. My writing has nothing to do with engineering but I might be more accurate in my philosophical theories than in my physical calculations 🥰
Imagine my surprise when I discovered, after trotting out my theory of gravity in my first novel, a physicist had already thought of it and published a paper on the topic.
This is what interests me the most: how other writers approach similar themes. So, I believe I can follow your excitement. However, questioning what we know about gravity is a bold move ✨🙂
It was a safe bet. Gravity and its associated phenomenom the curvature of space are a complete mystery. Nobody knows how it works.
Absolutely, everything has already been written. And I guess we want to write something that is different. This is hard. Bravery is the key. you are right my friend.
Love this article. You captured key aspects of William Zinsser’s very broad influence. Thank you
Thank you Terrina. He was an inspiring man. Wish I could have met him. :)
Your work is always worth reading!
Aww, thank you Michelle. I think if I ever start thinking that, it might not be lol
Ohhhhhh! That comment to the student. Ouch! Thanks for this. Wow. It landed hard but so beautifully. On Writing Well is one of my favorites. I need to read it again.
Right? That comment, oh my god. The editor of Harvard Magazine took his class, said it damn near undid him, almost made him want to quit writing. But it helped him find the voice that made him the writer he became. I loved that
Years ago I took a tech writing class taught by a prof from the U of Minnesota. He said learning to write well was like trying to improve your golf game. For a while it will get worse as you struggle to learn the lessons that will improve your game. But if you keep practicing the new techniques, your game will eventually improve, and you will end up playing at a higher level. Now, over forty years later, I can see that he was right.
Hmmmmmm, definitely something I need to consider more.
Sometimes when I write or edit another's work I think "So what..." so why does this matter, why, why is this said. What is the purpose of this. That makes me delete a lot of my words.
Makes me delete a lot of words, too. And not publish some. I have so many drafts on Medium that I need to go back to. Dig a little deeper.
I used to drive my staff insane with that question at performance review time in the fall “so what?” - “why is that accomplishment so important?, why should anyone care about it?”, “why do you even bother coming to work every day?” They would just sit there fuming at me. Give me more - what are features, advantages, benefits, of the work/project?, how might it change how the country is doing something?, how much money might it save x,y,z? Come back in a couple of days with a better story.
Lots of glares and stomps.
As usual, great food for thought. Now I have to go back through 65 years of writing and take out the 65% of excess words. Thanks a lot!
Lmao Chuck. Nah. Leave them. It's like a trail of breadcrumbs that lets you see your progress. Sometimes I look at my old writing and cringe. But cringing means I have improved. lol
Thank you.
Oh so true. I wrote about my grandparents - the story was about his ptsd and her bravery, holding the family together, but I built it with little things I'd heard about - my grandfather ran away from a 4th of July parade frightened by a bugle - and so on. And my novella won a prize from Miami University. I just hope I can remember the lesson and do it again. Great post! I'm off to buy his book...
Omg, Terri, congrats on winning a prize from the Uni. Nice way to let you know what you wrote moved people, you know? Of course you do. I had to read the book real slow. It's just so packed that I needed time between readings to digest. lol
I'm just finishing reading Maas chapter by chapter with a writers book club. I may suggest the Zinsser next.
On Writing Well sits on my desk. Unopened. I knew I needed that book, but as yet, haven’t read it. Your post has chastised me to pick up that book and learn from a man who is still teaching, posthumously. But more than his book, this post has given me much to think about. Write small and go big. I can think of many posts I’ve written that seemed small to me… yet those were the ones that got the most mileage. I need to reevaluate and begin again. Thanks for an amazing post! I will save and revisit often. 🙌🏼❤️👏🏼🫶🏼😉✍🏼📚
I love that, Shelley--that those were the stories that got most mileage. You might need to read the book real slow. I sure did. There's so much to digest I had to read in bits and keep coming back to it. I'm glad you enjoyed this, thanks!
Beautiful, true, and necessary post! "Who cares what I think?" has pestered, lumbered, and motivated me my whole writing life!
Right? Same. So much the same. Thanks, Aimee
Wise advice.
Simple. Uncluttered. Universal truth.
Thanks for the reminder.
Linda I loved this. I am someone who wants to learn to write. I’m afraid to start. To fail. But this gives me hope. I feel like I have a lot of small bits of my life that are meaningful and can touch others and maybe go big. I admit I get tired of reading words that bore me I like to get to the meat of it. But to learn to do write like that and create something that flows I guess I gotta just get out there and practice! Buying the book:)
I truly believe that if you want to write, that's an indicator that you should. It's scary, and doing it is hard. But oh, it feels so good when you've written something that moves a reader. I always tell people if you only ever read one book about writing, make it that one. It's all you need. And when you write your very first post, come back and let me know, I'll come read. :)
I have his book in my writing office -- time to crack it open again, although I cherish a magical belief that it seeps into my keyboard through osmosis just by sitting there on my bookshelf. Write small to find big -- so simple in principle and so difficult in execution.
Right? You got that Jan. So simple in principle, so hard to do
I just read on writing well for my MFA class . Great stuff
Thanks, George. He says such simple things, and they're so powerful.
His quote at the end is everything. That's why I love reading obituaries with tiny details in them. The little things are the big things.
I love that quote too, Mary.