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Podcast: Paleo Runner
Episode:

On Writing Well – Book Review
Category: Health
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2022-05-17 12:19:52
Description:

When I asked caddy-turned-ghostwriter, Mark Eglington, what I could do to write better, he told me to read On Writing Well, by William Zinsser. I’d read it about ten years ago, but I took Eglington’s advice and reread it.

Zinsser’s advice on writing well is simple: Be clear. Be concise. Be human.

Simple advice. But that doesn’t mean it is easy to follow.

Be clear. Be simple. Be brief. But overall be true to yourself. Make that your credo. If you’re true to your humanity, there’s no way you won’t write well.

William Zinser

Clarity

Zinser says writing is just thinking on paper. If done well, you can make any subject clear. If you’re not going to be clear, why even bother?

Sometimes a negative example is best. Don’t write like the White House press secretary talks:

Watch what happens when Peter Doocy asks the new White House press secretary how raising taxes on the rich brings down inflation, as Biden tweeted last week.

Big yikes. pic.twitter.com/UIsACtP8Hv

— John Cooper (@thejcoop) May 16, 2022

Simplicity

Use simple words. Never write anything you wouldn’t say in conversation.

Brevity

Most of your writing could be cut in half and still get your point across.

Humanity

Take the reader on a trip. Use humor. Tell a funny story. If you find it funny, someone else might too.

Practice Often

Make writing a habit. The only way to get better at writing is to do it often. Any method you use to write more is okay. Write by dictation. Write from your phone. The important thing is to set aside time to write.

What Should You Write About?

Write for yourself. You’ll draw readers in if you write about things you are interested in. If you try to write for others, your writing won’t be as interesting.

Write what you know. Write about your hobbies. Write about hunting, fishing, sewing, running, cooking, or cars. It doesn’t matter what you write about. What matters is that you add your humanity and excitement to it.

On Writing Well Audiobook on YouTube

I hope these tips help you get started writing. If you’re looking to get your ideas out there to the world, check out my post on how to start a blog.

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