…action scenes are often like sex scenes — they are just hanging there, an exclamation point on the end of a sentence that we’ve already read.
Maggie Stiefvater writing five things about the book The Lock Artist.
One habit leftover from college is taking notes while I read; I can’t help it (although I don’t write in my books, anymore). The habit I’ve lost entirely is listening fast enough to distill a lecture into sensical notes.
A little more halfway through Introduction to Ancient Greek History (via iTunes U), I finally made time to get down notes I’ve been writing in my head as I listen. Just during the 30-minute introduction (!) I had to pause quite often to catch up or replay a few lines.
Also: holy hand cramp, Batman!
…at this turn of the seasons when the hardy oak leaves rustle in the wind and the frost gives a tang to the air and the dusk falls early and the friendly evenings lengthen under the heel of Orion…
Thanksgiving Proclamation, Wilbur Cross, Connecticut governor, 1936 via William Zinsser, On Writing Well
Show your work
Umberto Eco: The lost art of
handwriting
Why should we regret the passing of good handwriting? The capacity to write well and quickly on a keyboard encourages rapid thought…
I think the capacity to write well and quickly on a keyboard requires
failed attempts (especially [specifically?] at work…) and lots of
edits.
I’m the sort of person who edits my writing constantly (this post,
three times already). It takes time to say what I mean,
economically. And I’m okay with that.
As to reviving the art of handwriting: word. (Says the girl who has a
notebook for practicing her handwriting…)
Those who use long periods of flowered prolixity and pretentious phrases—who write in complicated form with meaningless flourishes, do not make an impression of elegance and erudition upon their readers, but flaunt instead unmistakable evidence of vainglory and ignorance.
Notes and shorter letters. Emily Post. Etiquette. 1922. (via thatwhichmatter)
Indeed. (Said another way: omit needless words.)
I would say much of the specific advice re: addressing particularly women has fallen by the wayside, but the above is still worthy.
(Also: vainglory!)
![Penmanship! (nota bene: I am actually the sort of person who, y’know, practices letters/writing — printing, cursive [are we still calling it that? joined-up writing? longhand?], draft printing, etc. — so of course I’d pick this one. (: )
Also: what he said.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/BoEc3yCp5pl3had1sNNt2fSro1_500.jpg)
Penmanship! (nota bene: I am actually the sort of person who, y’know, practices letters/writing — printing, cursive [are we still calling it that? joined-up writing? longhand?], draft printing, etc. — so of course I’d pick this one. (: )
Also: what he said.
More reasons to love A.O. Scott
From The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3:
“Mr. Washington, perhaps the most effortlessly charismatic American film actor since Paul Newman, is, like Newman, best when his magnetism is dented by failure or tarnished by meanness or sleaze. In this case his quiet, stoical everyman heroism is deepened by the suggestion of a smudge on his character, a sense of moral compromise that both connects him with, and distinguishes him from, the would-be criminal mastermind who becomes his nemesis.”
Item the first: there are few writers who do the 2-sentences-in-1 via commas as well as Mr. Scott.
Item the second: there’s little current writing (news, though entertainment especially) that doesn’t shortcut but takes the long way ‘round using constructions like “a sense of moral compromise that both connects him with, and distinguishes him from, the would-be criminal mastermind…”
Previously, we loved A.O. Scott for his pop-culture mash-ups.
Omit Words
Once or twice a year: I re-read Strunk & White’s Elements of Style (Wikipedia entry) (nerd!).
Big Contrarian → How to Say Nothing in 500 Words. A good read and you’re sure to recognize padding tricks you’ve used.
I have great fondness for books, movies, poems, photos that both show you an example of a thing as well as how to do that thing well.
The Name of the Rose (Umberto Eco), is a great book on top of being an excellent demonstration of how to write a mystery. I didn’t realize that’s what it was until Jeff pointed it out.
A longtime favourite. (Less? Fewer? NOT THE SAME THING.)
