Sage Advice on Writing

In my company website (www.sageline.com), I said the following:

“Writing is getting started, which is half the battle. The other half is getting finished, which means editing, rewriting, more editing and more rewriting.” William Meisheid

Now FAITHMAPS BLOG has a post on the ten most important things necessary for Becoming a Better Writer. Needless to say, I agree wholeheartedly.

Update:

After a little research it appears the first article with this list in it was written by Brian Clark at Copyblogger. The list is:

  1. Write.
  2. Write more.
  3. Write even more.
  4. Write even more than that.
  5. Write when you don’t want to.
  6. Write when you do.
  7. Write when you have something to say.
  8. Write when you don’t.
  9. Write every day.
  10. Keep writing.

In other words, to be a better writer requires writing. Duh! Just like any other skill, it has to be exercised to improve. I would also add one additional requirement: read, read a lot. Reading good writers is a must, just like good ballplayers learn from other good ballplayers what is possible, or good painters study the Masters.

2 thoughts on “Sage Advice on Writing

  1. On the whole, I agree with you, especially the part about reading a lot. What “good writers” would you recommend?

  2. RevFred, it depends on what kind of writing you are talking about: fiction, devotional, science, or many other disciplines. There are a few writers to read, no matter what your discipline, but you should at least find the best writers in the discipline you want to write in.

    As to general writers I would suggest the following:

    Annie Dillard: Holy the Firm and The Writing Life.

    William Strunk and E.B. White: The Elements of Style.

    Malcolm Muggeridge: Chronicles of Wasted Time.

    W. Sommerset Maughan: Rain and Other South Sea Stories (specifically for Rain).

    I hope that helps.

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