On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

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Don’t let anyone or anything interfere while you first channel and write down your story. Let it come to you on its own without judgment, without even looking through a particular lens. Be objective. Then, when you’ve finished the first draft of any story, it’s time to put on some different glasses and rewrite with an open mind. #2: Write Every Day Never say anything in writing that you wouldn’t comfortably say in conversation. If you’re not a person who says “indeed” or “moreover,” or who calls someone an individual (“he’s a fine individual”), please don’t write it. Words Clichés are one of the things you should keep listening for when you rewrite and read your successive drafts aloud. Every successful piece of nonfiction should leave the reader with one provocative thought that he or she didn’t have before.

Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now.” — Annie Dillard It’s none of their business that you have to learn to write. Let them think you were born that way.” — Ernest Hemingway Indeed, learning to write may be part of learning to read. For all I know, writing comes out of a superior devotion to reading.” — Eudora WeltyAs for ‘Write what you know,’ I was regularly told this as a beginner. I think it’s a very good rule and have always obeyed it. I write about imaginary countries, alien societies on other planets, dragons, wizards, the Napa Valley in 22002. I know these things. I know them better than anybody else possibly could, so it’s my duty to testify about them.” — Ursula K. Le Guin

In the “Forms” section of On Writing Well, Zinsser advises his readers on how to approach all the major forms of nonfiction writing. He starts by defending the controversial idea that nonfiction counts as literature, just like fiction and poetry. He points out that many of the most influential American writers after World War II, like Joan Didion and Tom Wolfe, mix traditional reporting, personal narrative, and literary techniques to tell compelling true stories. Most of these stories are about people and places, so Zinsser’s next two chapters focus on effective interviewing and travel writing skills. Writers should learn to draw “the human element” out of interviews, take useful notes, and arrange people’s quotes without misrepresenting their views. Next, travel writing is often unfocused and full of clichés, so travel writers should learn to be extremely selective with both their language and the scope of their work. Similarly, the best memoirists focus on compelling characters and specific details, which let them give readers new perspectives on life and identity.

Writing Well Takes Practice

Many writers confuse this kind of clutter for style, but the first step to developing a true style is actually learning to eliminate clutter. Only later can writers find their authentic voices. To do this, they should write for themselves, rather than trying to satisfy any specific audience. In particular, they should be obsessive about choosing the right words. The range of acceptable usages changes over time, but jargon is never good taste. If I had to give young writers advice, I would say don’t listen to writers talking about writing or themselves.” — Lillian Hellman