Several Short Sentences About Writing

1. Writing is about making sentences, not adhering to rules

Your job as a writer is making sentences.

Sentences are fundamental. Writing is not about following prescribed rules or formulas, but about crafting individual sentences with care and precision. Each sentence should stand on its own, saying exactly what it needs to say and nothing more. Good writing comes from paying attention to the details of each sentence, rather than trying to adhere to rigid structures or outlines.

Flexibility is key. Writers should be willing to experiment with different sentence structures, lengths, and rhythms. There is no single "correct" way to write a sentence. Instead, focus on making each sentence clear, direct, and purposeful. This approach allows for greater creativity and expressiveness in writing.

Common pitfalls to avoid:

• Relying too heavily on transitions between sentences
• Using unnecessary words or phrases
• Adhering to a single sentence structure throughout a piece
• Prioritizing "flow" over clarity and precision

2. Trust your observations and perceptions as a writer

If you notice something, it's because it's important.

Your perceptions matter. Many writers are taught to distrust their own observations and ideas, believing that only pre-authorized subjects or perspectives are valid. This is a mistake. Your unique observations and perceptions are what make your writing valuable and interesting.

Practice noticing. Develop the habit of paying attention to the world around you and to your own thoughts and reactions. These observations, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, can become the raw material for powerful writing. Don't dismiss your perceptions as unimportant or irrelevant.

Ways to cultivate trust in your observations:

• Keep a notebook to record daily observations
• Practice describing ordinary objects or scenes in detail
• Reflect on why certain things catch your attention
• Use your observations as starting points for writing exercises

3. Revise at the point of composition, not after

Compose at the point of revision.

Continuous revision. Rather than writing a complete draft and then revising afterward, aim to revise as you write. This approach encourages more thoughtful, deliberate sentence construction and helps prevent the accumulation of weak or unclear writing.

Benefits of real-time revision:

• Encourages more careful consideration of each sentence
• Reduces the need for extensive rewrites later
• Helps maintain focus and clarity throughout the writing process
• Allows for immediate exploration of alternative phrasings or ideas

Practical tips:

• Write sentences in your head before committing them to paper
• Read each sentence aloud as you write it
• Question every word choice and sentence structure as you go
• Be willing to discard or completely rewrite sentences that aren't working

4. Read deeply and critically to improve your writing

You can only become a better writer by becoming a better reader.

Active reading is crucial. To improve as a writer, you must become a more attentive, critical reader. Pay close attention to how other writers construct their sentences, use language, and convey ideas. Analyze what works and what doesn't in the writing you encounter.

Read widely and deeply. Expose yourself to a variety of writing styles, genres, and subjects. This breadth of reading will expand your understanding of what's possible in writing and help you develop your own style and voice.

Strategies for critical reading:

• Examine sentence structures and word choices in texts you admire
• Consider how authors create rhythm and pacing in their writing
• Analyze how writers handle transitions between ideas
• Pay attention to how authors use concrete details and sensory language
• Note effective uses of metaphor, simile, and other literary devices

5. Clarity and directness trump flowery language

The most subversive thing you can do is to write clearly and directly, asserting the facts as you understand them, your perceptions as you've gathered them.

Prioritize clarity. Many writers mistakenly believe that good writing must be complex or ornate. In reality, the most powerful writing is often clear, direct, and straightforward. Focus on conveying your ideas and observations as clearly as possible, without unnecessary embellishment.

Avoid common pitfalls:

• Overuse of adjectives and adverbs
• Reliance on clichés or overly familiar phrases
• Unnecessarily complex sentence structures
• Vague or abstract language when concrete details would be more effective

Tips for clear, direct writing:

• Use strong, specific verbs
• Favor concrete nouns over abstract concepts
• Break long, complex sentences into shorter, more focused ones
• Eliminate unnecessary words and phrases
• Use active voice whenever possible

6. Embrace the discontinuity between intention and discovery

Accept it: you'll surely fail again and just as surely succeed.

Writing is exploration. The process of writing often leads to unexpected discoveries and insights. Embrace this unpredictability rather than trying to force your writing to conform to a predetermined plan or outline.

Be open to surprise. Allow your writing to take you in unexpected directions. Some of your best ideas and most powerful sentences may emerge from this process of discovery.

Strategies for embracing discovery:

• Start writing without a rigid outline or plan
• Follow interesting tangents or connections as they arise
• Be willing to abandon or significantly revise your original intentions
• Pay attention to the gaps and silences in your writing, as these can often lead to new insights
• Experiment with different approaches or perspectives on your subject

7. Write for a reader you can trust

Imagine a reader you can trust.

Respect your reader's intelligence. Many writers are taught to assume their readers are easily confused or distracted. This leads to overly explanatory, repetitive writing. Instead, imagine a reader who is intelligent, curious, and capable of following complex ideas.

Benefits of writing for a trusted reader:

• Allows for more nuanced and sophisticated writing
• Encourages the use of implication and subtext
• Reduces the need for unnecessary transitions or explanations
• Creates a more engaging reading experience

Practical applications:

• Avoid over-explaining concepts or ideas
• Trust the reader to make connections between related points
• Use subtlety and implication rather than stating everything explicitly
• Allow for moments of ambiguity or uncertainty in your writing

8. Authority in writing comes from clarity, not subject matter

Authority arises only from clarity of language and clarity of perception.

Clarity creates authority. Many writers believe that authority comes from their subject matter or expertise. In reality, authority in writing stems from the clarity and precision of your language and observations. A well-written piece on a seemingly mundane topic can be more compelling than a poorly written piece on an important subject.

How to cultivate authority in your writing:

• Focus on making each sentence as clear and precise as possible
• Use concrete, specific language rather than vague generalizations
• Support your assertions with carefully observed details
• Avoid hedging or qualifying your statements unnecessarily
• Develop a strong, consistent voice throughout your writing

Remember: Your authority as a writer is granted by the reader based on the quality of your writing, not on external factors or credentials.

9. Resist chronology and embrace varied sentence structures

Resist chronology. It will always try to impose itself.

Break free from linear storytelling. Chronological order often feels like the most natural way to structure a piece of writing, but it can also be limiting. Experiment with different organizational structures that allow for more dynamic and engaging writing.

Benefits of non-chronological structures:

• Creates opportunities for more interesting connections between ideas
• Allows for greater emphasis on important events or concepts
• Can create suspense or intrigue by withholding information
• Mirrors the non-linear nature of memory and thought

Strategies for varied sentence structures:

• Alternate between long and short sentences
• Experiment with different sentence openings (e.g., starting with dependent clauses, prepositional phrases, or single words)
• Use parallel structure sparingly and intentionally
• Vary the rhythm and pacing of your sentences to create emphasis or tension

10. Learn grammar and syntax to enhance your writing toolkit

There's nothing wrong with well-made, strongly constructed, purposeful long sentences.

Grammar as a tool, not a constraint. Understanding grammar and syntax isn't about following rigid rules, but about expanding your ability to create precise, powerful sentences. This knowledge gives you more control over your writing and allows for greater expressiveness.

Key areas to focus on:

• Parts of speech and their functions
• Sentence structures (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex)
• Punctuation and its effects on rhythm and meaning
• Common grammatical errors and how to avoid them

Practical applications:

• Experiment with different sentence structures to create variety and emphasis
• Use punctuation deliberately to control pacing and rhythm
• Understand how to create and resolve ambiguity in your sentences
• Learn to diagnose and fix common grammatical issues in your writing

Last updated: January 23, 2025