Book Review: On Writing Well
by William Zinsser
If you are interested in becoming a better writer, I highly recommend this book.
Since writing has always been an interest of mine, I have often picked up
writing books and found them too lofty and written more along the style of a
college textbook. I wanted something down to earth and easy to follow and found
it in this book
On Writing Well is a classic guide to writing nonfiction and it has been revised
and updated eight times since it was first published over 25 years ago.
The book is broken down to four main sections- principles, methods, forms and
attitudes and is filled with sound ideas to help the novice writer get started.
Zinsser states that "writing is talking to someone else on paper." That kind of
advice is just the kind of thing a new writer needs to hear. The author makes
writing, a very revered skill, sound do-able. I couldn’t even begin to condense
some of his thoughts, but I will leave you with a few- "Never say anything in
writing that you wouldn’t say in conversation." " The race in writing is not to
the swift but to the original." "Remember that words are the only tools you’ve
got. Learn to use them with originality and care. And also remember: somebody
out there is listening."
If you love to write this is a book that you will underline, highlight, read and
enjoy.
| Title: On Writing Well – 25th Anniversary Edition Author: William Zinsser Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers ISBN: 0060006641 Review Written By: Janet Miserandino |
