Friday, June 01, 2007

Wise words about writing ...

... To the point.

I always write to size, in order to avoid having to cut down to size. It's a good way of learning to think formally - i.e., in terms of form, and insuring that your piece has one. Shorter is harder, too, by the way.

3 comments:

  1. I just posted about this, as well. My process of writing "shorter" is because of the amount of time I have to write. And I do think the precision required helps make me a better writer:

    http://bibliothecary.squarespace.com/blog/2007/5/28/on-reviewing-tolkien.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous3:12 PM

    Anthony Daniels, DIAGNOSING LEAR,from New Criterion.

    ReplyDelete
  3. "Flashiness is a sin of youth. The older and more self-assured a writer is, the more likely he is to appreciate the virtues of simplicity and economy."

    Amen.

    I suppose it would be immodest to mention at this point that almost the only actual form I write in anymore is haiku. If I want to stretch out, I usually do haibun, which is like a prose-poem plus a haiku.

    Good thoughts from Terry, as always.

    ReplyDelete