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Quote by William Zinsser

“The writers job is like solving a puzzle, and finally arriving at a solution is a tremendous satisfaction.”

Quote by William Zinsser

Author

William Zinsser

William Zinsser was an American writer renowned for his concise, clear, and humorous writing style. His works spanned a variety of fields including literature, history, and practical writing, with his most famous titles being 'On Writing Well' and 'American Writing'. Zinsser's writing style has had a profound impact on modern writing. more

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“There's no subject you don't have permission to write about. Students often avoid subjects close to their heart ... because they assume that their teachers will regard those topics as 'stupid.' No area of life is stupid to someone who takes it seriously. If you follow your affections you will write well and will engage your readers.”

Ifs Writing Wells Heart Life Is Teacher Subjects Stupid Students Reader Areas Regard Assuming Affection Permission Topics

Author:William Zinsser

“Tips can make someone a better writer but not necessarily a good writer. That's a larger package - a matter of character. Golfing is more than keeping the left arm straight. Every good golfer is a complex engine that runs on ability, ego, determination, discipline, patience, confidence, and other qualities that are self-taught. So it is with writers and all creative artists. If their values are solid their work is likely to be solid.”

“To write a good memoir you must become the editor of your own life, imposing on an untidy sprawl of half-remembered events a narrative shape and an organizing idea. Memoir is the art of inventing the truth.”

Writing Art Ideas Half Events Shapes Memoir Narrative Remembered Editors Inventing Imposing

Author:William Zinsser

“When you're ready to stop, stop. If you have presented all the facts and made the point you want to make, look for the nearest exit.”

Ifs Want Looks Made Facts Ready Exit

Book:On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction

Source: On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction

“Writers are the custodians of memory, and that's what this chapter is about: how to leave some kind of record of your life and of the family you were born into.”

Kind Born Memories Records Chapters Custodians

Author:William Zinsser

“Writers can write to affirm and to celebrate, or they can write to debunk and destroy; the choice is ours.”

Writing Choices Celebrate

Book:The Writer Who Stayed

Source: The Writer Who Stayed

“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.”

Ifs Men Writing Trying Kind Wanted Reading Figures He Man Men And Women Imitation

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

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

“Writing is such lonely work that I try to keep myself cheered up. If something strikes me as funny in the act of writing, I throw it in just to amuse myself. If I think it's funny I assume a few other people will find it funny, and that seems to me to be a good day's work.”

People Ifs Thinking Writing Trying Seems Lonely Assuming Strikes Good Day

Author:William Zinsser

“You must find some way to elevate your act of writing into an entertainment. Usually this means giving the reader an enjoyable surprise. Any number of devices will do the job.... These seeming amusements in fact become your 'style.' When we say we like the style of certain writers, what we mean is that we like their personality as they express it on paper.”

Way Giving Writing Mean Facts Jobs Certain Numbers Style Personality Reader Paper Surprise Entertainment Devices Amusement Enjoyable Seeming

Author:William Zinsser

“When you fall, leap to your feet and try again.”

Trying Fall Feet Leap Try Again

Author:Nadia Comaneci