August 13, 2012 by Erin

An Aside: On Writing

The other day my wonderful sister-in-law asked for my top ten writing tips. Well, as my fellow blog-warrior has pointed out, I love knowing things. Me? Share advice? You betcha. But really, while I can’t speak for my own work, lots of reading and a great education have given me a feel for what makes good writing. These are the standards I remind myself of and some of the most common issues I find when I’m editing. Obviously this list isn’t exhaustive, and I’m thinking primarily of creative, rather than academic or journalistic writing. Starting with the most important, in case I lose people along the way:

1. Know that your words are shadows of the Word. Yes, I’m going to get a bit abstract. I really believe great work flows from a sound theology, or at least a philosophy, of art. John’s Gospel tell us Jesus is the Word, the Reality to which all words ultimately point. The Word was the agent of creation (John 1:3), and when we write, when we create, we are reflecting Him and participating in redemption. Think about it — to write is, in a small way, to bring order from chaos. On my best days, I sit down to write knowing I’m taking up a sacred task. The words matter, deeply. Understanding this, I can tell you, changes everything.

2. Read good books. Just like in any craft, you have to know your medium. I’m convinced good writers are almost always good readers. Even if they’re not trained, readers can usually write well because they develop an innate sense of what’s effective and what’s not. The more you read, the more you understand how words work and feel. Unless you’re a prodigy, there’s really no replacement for this.

3. Have something to say. This isn’t hard, because everyone has something to say. One of my favorite things is when people who swear they can’t write get going on something they’re passionate about. The result may not always be perfect, but it’s always beautiful. On the other hand, you can always tell when a writer has nothing to say, and really just likes the sound of his own voice. If you want to write, love something or do something or learn something, and then tell us about it.

4. Write like you talk. Good writing always has that o-so-elusive element, voice. Writing is creative work, so it should carry part of its creator. Voiceless writing is stiff and sounds like anyone could’ve written it. “Finding your voice” really is about as mystical as it sounds, but I do have one tip: try writing exactly like you talk — bad grammar and all. You can always edit later, but try to get a feel for how you say things.

5. Don’t waste words. Here’s the unattainable standard: “where every word is at home, taking its place to support the others … the complete consort dancing together” (Eliot, “Little Gidding”). That’s what I shoot for — every word being and doing exactly what it should. As best I can, I try to give every word purpose. This means not using three words where one will do. Simply put, cut out the fluff. If it’s not necessary, delete it. Words are slippery, and we’ll never get it quite right, but “For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business” (Eliot again, “East Coker”).

6. Don’t be afraid to start over. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been halfway into a piece and thrown the whole thing out. Sometimes it’s just not working, and you have to start over. It takes gumption, because you don’t want all that work to be a waste. But here’s the thing: it’s not a waste; it’s part of the process. Sometimes you can’t get to the good stuff until you’ve gotten through the crap.

7. Think before you write. Some people really can just sit down and write, but I am not one of them. I brainstorm, make notes, outline, etc. I have to think it through before I actually start writing. Where am I trying to take the readers? What’s the best way to get there? Making these sorts of decisions first helps cut out fluff and gives the piece focus and flow.

8. Understand the mechanics of language. I know this isn’t very artistic of me, but brush up on your grammar before you put pen to paper. Mechanics are the skeleton of writing — you don’t see it from the outside, but everything falls apart without it. Stupid mistakes ruin what could be good writing. So, learn how and why words function. Remember, the rules and conventions exist for a purpose, and you have to know them before you can bend them.

9. Vary diction and syntax. Ok, let’s go back to high school English class. When it comes to word choice and sentence structure, variety works best. I try not to use the same word more than twice in a paragraph if I can. Syntax is trickier, but it helps to read over what you have and make sure it flows naturally — watch for rambling or abrupt stops. I like playing with syntax to control the rhythm and pace of a paragraph.

10. Use strong verbs. Again, we all learned this in high school, but these basic elements are where most bad writing gives itself away. “Be verbs” and passive voice make writing weak — use sparingly. Give your sentence a subject, and use specific, descriptive action verbs.

There you have it. Now, please don’t hold me accountable to these.

#Blog Wars 2012