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On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction

Book by William Zinsser · 26 quotes · Writing, Clutter, Writing Well

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On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction Quotes

“Also bear in mind, when you're choosing your words and stringing them together, how they sound. This may seem absurd: readers read with their eyes. But in fact they hear what they are reading far more than you realize.”

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Book:On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction
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“Writing is learned by imitation. If anyone asked me how I learned to write, I'd say I learned by reading the men and women who were doing the kind of writing I wanted to do and trying to figure out how they did it.”

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“Don't try to guess what sort of thing editors want to publish or what you think the country is in a mood to read. Editors and readers don't know what they want to read until they read it. Besides, they're always looking for something new.”

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Book:On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction
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“Writing is hard work. A clear sentence is no accident. Very few sentences come out right the first time, or even the third time. Remember this in moments of despair. If you find that writing is hard, it's because it is hard. It's one of the hardest things that people do”

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“I try to make what I have written tighter, stronger and more precise, eliminating every element that's not doing useful work. Then I go over it once more, reading it aloud, and am always amazed at how much clutter can still be cut.”

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Book:On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction
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“You'll never make your mark as a writer unless you develop a respect for words and a curiosity about their shades of meaning that is almost obsessive. The English language is rich in strong and supple words. Take the time to root around and find the ones you want”

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Book:On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction
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