Writing Advice From The Experts Part #2

Summary: The most valuable of talents is never using two words when one will do. - Thomas Jefferson There are many books that provide tips and guidance for publishing success. This series of articles takes you directly to a trusted source of wisdom - established authors. The hope is the experiences they have encountered will assist you in your writing objectives. On Editing There is but one art, to omit! - Robert Louis Stevenson A sentence should contain no unnecessary wor...

The most valuable of talents is never using two words when one will do. - Thomas Jefferson There are many books that provide tips and guidance for publishing success. This series of articles takes you directly to a trusted source of wisdom - established authors. The hope is the experiences they have encountered will assist you in your writing objectives. On Editing There is but one art, to omit! - Robert Louis Stevenson A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. - William Strunk, Jr., from The Elements of Style My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip. - Elmore Leonard The great art of writing is knowing when to stop. - Josh Billings As to the adjective, when in doubt, strike it out. -- Mark Twain When rewriting, move quickly. It's a little like cutting your own hair. - Robert Stone Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it and, above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light. - Joseph Pulitzer On Writer's Block If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it an hour when it isn't expecting it. - H. G. Wells On Motivation Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self. - Cyril Connolly The most original thing a writer can do is write like himself. It is also the most difficult task. - Robertson Davies If you wish to be a writer, write. - Epictetus Talent is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely essential. - Jessamyn West You write about the thing that sank its teeth into you and wouldn't let go. - Paul West On Humility Young writers should be encouraged to write, and discouraged from thinking they are writers. - Wallace Stegner In the third and final part in this series we will look at a few words of wisdom from authors on the naming of your work, learning from the success and failure of other writers and the inner struggles authors often face.