Being a writer of books myself, I've tried to stay close to ideas expressed in Steven King's "On Writing" In the second forward (2000 edition) he quotes Wm Strunk Jr. & E. B. White's "Elements of Style:" "Omit needless words." Good advice. And Michael, I too like the Cheryl Strand quote.
Mardy - I loved your topic and quotes. It is so impressive to read a single sentence that encapsulates emotions of an entire genre or subject. Well done! I stay inspired reading a great newsletter like yours. Thank you!!
You put the challenge out there to come up with a quote on writing…..I’ll see if I can come up with one. :)
I certainly do not consider myself a writer, per se, and my definition is probably limited to writing an autobiography. It is like being in psychotherapy, where your editor is your therapist and the two of you probe into the past; a torturous, tortuous, at times enlightening, journey.
We all should aspire to your notion of viewing ourselves as simply avid readers and a lifelong learners who enjoy sharing what we've learned with others.
Here's a thought. No matter how difficult and painful writing can be, one must actually look forward to capturing one's thoughts, opinions, feelings in whatever form comes best, be it in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays. With any good fortune, the writer may even perhaps love or at least "enjoy" what he or she is doing. In the introduction to his book How Fiction Works, James Wood quotes Henry James: "There is only one recipe--to care a great deal for the cookery."
Thanks for weighing in on the topic, David. Thanks also for sharing the wonderful Henry James quotation, which is priceless. I did a little research and discovered that he offered the thought in an 1896 letter to his nephew, Harry James.
Fondly remember your VISTAGE presentations. And, I agree that Doctorow's observation on writing is likely the best ever on the subject.
In case you do get around to your TSBTES book, I offer the following on the subject of organizational success from the late Peter Drucker: "Culture eats strategy for breakfast."
Thanks for the kind words, David, and for weighing in on the subject, VISTAGE was a big part of both of our lives, wasn't it. Thanks also for sharing the Drucker quote. So far, though, I've never been able to fully authenticate it.
writing - makes me think of a scifi trilogy of California series, way back, I'd have to google it, but before internet caught on. In one of the series, writers were becoming famous by how many followers they could gather "on line" this was WAY before blogging was a known... I so love scifi cause it can predict so much...
anyway, tied into today's topic...
It’s undeniable that the internet can amplify personalities—both positive and negative. For some writers, the instant feedback and widespread attention online can lead to an inflated sense of self. Social media and blog platforms offer a stage for self-promotion and adulation that can feed egotistical tendencies.
Egotism or not, the accessibility and immediacy of the internet have changed the way writers and readers interact.
Someone posts something, & TA DA, they get accolades on how wonderful they are!! And then the writer can condescendingly, or not, say thank you. Everyone has a feel good day!!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, dj. If you ever think of the name of that trilogy, let me know. I agree with you about the amazing "predictiveness" of sci-far tales. Your other thoughts, I think, were also right on the money.
Three California trilogy, in the 1980's, by Kim Stanley Robinson. That was some of his earliest scifi works, showing 3 futures of Orange Co, CA. I don't recall which of the 3 had the sub-story of writers becoming famous based on gaining "likes on line"...
That led to his writing/my reading his Mars trilogy, in the 1990's. Really liked that!! Part of that had a sub-story line of every citizen had to serve a political leadership role, short-term, no life careers.
if it was dr. mardy's discretion that left out the topic's cynical apogee of Virginia Wolf, i apologize: "writing is like sex. first you do it for love, then you do it for your friends, and then you do it for money."
Thanks, Ron, but it wasn't my discretion that left out that famous saying. The problem is that I've never been able to authenticate an original author. I'm pretty sure, though, that Woolf never said it.
Writers, like surgeons, feel no one can possibly imagine what we do, or how. I love this quote:
It seems to me that I have wanted to write for the whole of my life. The intensity of this insistence, despite its implausibility, suggests an emotional, rather than literal, accuracy. I think my life didn’t seem my life until I started to write. – Louise Glück
Thanks, Blayney. I'm a little confused, though. What portion, exactly, is the quote from Ms. Glück? And do you have a source for it? I could find nothing in a brief search.
Thanks for another great post Mardy. I like the line by Cheryl Strayed: "I write to find what I have to say. I edit to figure out how to say it right.
Thanks for the kind words, my friend. Yes, that Strayed observation is a keeper, isn't it?
It is easy to write a check if you have enough money in the bank, and writing comes more easily if you have something to say. — Sholem Asch”
Writing is even easier if you have Venmo!
Thanks for bringing Asch's wonderful observation into the modern era, Phil.
Being a writer of books myself, I've tried to stay close to ideas expressed in Steven King's "On Writing" In the second forward (2000 edition) he quotes Wm Strunk Jr. & E. B. White's "Elements of Style:" "Omit needless words." Good advice. And Michael, I too like the Cheryl Strand quote.
Thanks for weighing in, Mike. Those three simple words convey some of the most important writing advice ever given! Thanks for the reminder.
Mark Twain conveyed the same advice in two words: "Eschew surplusage."
Yes, the same advice, but even better phrased. It can be found in the ADVICE ON WRITING section of my DMDMQ: https://www.drmardy.com/dmdmq/w#writers_advice_on_writing
Mardy - I loved your topic and quotes. It is so impressive to read a single sentence that encapsulates emotions of an entire genre or subject. Well done! I stay inspired reading a great newsletter like yours. Thank you!!
You put the challenge out there to come up with a quote on writing…..I’ll see if I can come up with one. :)
Thanks for your kind words, Manisha. Yes, "encapsulation" does seem to be the key element. I look forward to your creation.
is korect speling importent to good writting?
A good question, my friend, Here's my answer. In writing straight prose, yes; even essential. In writing dialogue (including interior dialog), no.
I certainly do not consider myself a writer, per se, and my definition is probably limited to writing an autobiography. It is like being in psychotherapy, where your editor is your therapist and the two of you probe into the past; a torturous, tortuous, at times enlightening, journey.
Thanks, Pat. that is a lovely thought, and especially true with memoir writing.
We all should aspire to your notion of viewing ourselves as simply avid readers and a lifelong learners who enjoy sharing what we've learned with others.
Thanks so much, David, I appreciate your appreciation.
Here's a thought. No matter how difficult and painful writing can be, one must actually look forward to capturing one's thoughts, opinions, feelings in whatever form comes best, be it in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays. With any good fortune, the writer may even perhaps love or at least "enjoy" what he or she is doing. In the introduction to his book How Fiction Works, James Wood quotes Henry James: "There is only one recipe--to care a great deal for the cookery."
Thanks for weighing in on the topic, David. Thanks also for sharing the wonderful Henry James quotation, which is priceless. I did a little research and discovered that he offered the thought in an 1896 letter to his nephew, Harry James.
"I feel a lot more like I do now than I did when I got here."
- Anonymous
A good one, Bob. Thanks for passing it along.
Dr Mardy,
My take on writing is this: "Excellent writing is the most palpable evidence of intelligence".
Best,
Jamie
Thanks, Jamie. A good one. I don't believe I'll be posting it in my DMDMQ, however.
Alexander Pope's line made me think that any writer conveying a big thought in just a sentence or two is using the tools of poetry.
Very well said, John; a keen observation. Thanks for sharing it.
Fondly remember your VISTAGE presentations. And, I agree that Doctorow's observation on writing is likely the best ever on the subject.
In case you do get around to your TSBTES book, I offer the following on the subject of organizational success from the late Peter Drucker: "Culture eats strategy for breakfast."
Thanks for the kind words, David, and for weighing in on the subject, VISTAGE was a big part of both of our lives, wasn't it. Thanks also for sharing the Drucker quote. So far, though, I've never been able to fully authenticate it.
writing - makes me think of a scifi trilogy of California series, way back, I'd have to google it, but before internet caught on. In one of the series, writers were becoming famous by how many followers they could gather "on line" this was WAY before blogging was a known... I so love scifi cause it can predict so much...
anyway, tied into today's topic...
It’s undeniable that the internet can amplify personalities—both positive and negative. For some writers, the instant feedback and widespread attention online can lead to an inflated sense of self. Social media and blog platforms offer a stage for self-promotion and adulation that can feed egotistical tendencies.
Egotism or not, the accessibility and immediacy of the internet have changed the way writers and readers interact.
Someone posts something, & TA DA, they get accolades on how wonderful they are!! And then the writer can condescendingly, or not, say thank you. Everyone has a feel good day!!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, dj. If you ever think of the name of that trilogy, let me know. I agree with you about the amazing "predictiveness" of sci-far tales. Your other thoughts, I think, were also right on the money.
Three California trilogy, in the 1980's, by Kim Stanley Robinson. That was some of his earliest scifi works, showing 3 futures of Orange Co, CA. I don't recall which of the 3 had the sub-story of writers becoming famous based on gaining "likes on line"...
That led to his writing/my reading his Mars trilogy, in the 1990's. Really liked that!! Part of that had a sub-story line of every citizen had to serve a political leadership role, short-term, no life careers.
Thanks, dj. I appreciate the information.
if it was dr. mardy's discretion that left out the topic's cynical apogee of Virginia Wolf, i apologize: "writing is like sex. first you do it for love, then you do it for your friends, and then you do it for money."
Thanks, Ron, but it wasn't my discretion that left out that famous saying. The problem is that I've never been able to authenticate an original author. I'm pretty sure, though, that Woolf never said it.
Writers, like surgeons, feel no one can possibly imagine what we do, or how. I love this quote:
It seems to me that I have wanted to write for the whole of my life. The intensity of this insistence, despite its implausibility, suggests an emotional, rather than literal, accuracy. I think my life didn’t seem my life until I started to write. – Louise Glück
Thanks, Blayney. I'm a little confused, though. What portion, exactly, is the quote from Ms. Glück? And do you have a source for it? I could find nothing in a brief search.
Is straight prose the shortest distance between ideas?
Thanks, Louis. As 2025 begins, it's nice to see that you are still up to your old tricks. You're like a feather tickling my brain.