Mark Twain's Top Ten Writing Tips

[islander]

Mark Twain's Top Ten Writing Tips
"Don't let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in"

By Richard Nordquist, About.com Guide


Mark Twain (aka Samuel Clemens)

Widely regarded as the greatest American writer of his time, Mark Twain was often asked for advice on the art and craft of writing. Sometimes the famous humorist would respond seriously, and sometimes not. Here, in remarks drawn from his letters, essays, novels, and speeches, are ten of Twain's most memorable observations on the writer's craft.

[islander]

One.

Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.

[islander]

Two.

Use the right word, not its second cousin.

[islander]

Three.

As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.

[islander]

Four.

You need not expect to get your book right the first time.  Go to work and revamp or rewrite it.  God only exhibits his thunder and lightning at intervals, and so they always command attention.  These are God's adjectives.  You thunder and lightning too much; the reader ceases to get under the bed, by and by.

[islander]

Five. 

Substitute damn every time you're inclined to write very; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.

[islander]

Six.

Use good grammar.

[islander]

Seven.

Damnation (if you will allow the expression), get up and take a turn around the block and let the sentiment blow off you.  Sentiment is for girls... There is one thing I can't stand and won't stand, from many people.  That is, sham sentimentality.

[islander]

Eight.

Use plain, simple language, short words and brief sentences. That is the way to write English--it is the modern way and the best way. Stick to it; don't let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in.

[islander]

Nine.

The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction.  By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is that you really want to say.

[islander]

Ten.

Write without pay until somebody offers pay.  If nobody offers within three years, the candidate may look upon this circumstance with the most implicit confidence as the sign that sawing wood is what he was intended for.

http://grammar.about.com/od/advicefromthepros/

[islander]

One.

Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.

William Shakespeare's historical plays, for example, are gross distortions of historical fact but are nevertheless lauded as outstanding literary works. (wikipedia)

in the case of non-literary writing, like media reports, it's another matter.

[islander]

Two.

Use the right word, not its second cousin.

why use sinister and dexter when left and right will do?

[islander]

Three.

As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.

I really enjoy this particular group of mothers.

[islander]

Four.

You need not expect to get your book right the first time.  Go to work and revamp or rewrite it.  God only exhibits his thunder and lightning at intervals, and so they always command attention.  These are God's adjectives.  You thunder and lightning too much; the reader ceases to get under the bed, by and by.

because you're not god, you need time to perfect your work.  any work for that matter.

[islander]

Five. 

Substitute damn every time you're inclined to write very; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.

She was very beautiful, very unique, very dead.
She was damn beautiful, damn unique, damn dead.
She was beautiful, unique, dead.

[islander]

Six.

Use good grammar.

English As She Is Spoke
by Pedro Carolino

from the book's introduction:

We expect then who the little book (for the care what we wrote him, and for her typographical correction) that may be worth the acceptation of the studious persons, and especially of the Youth, at which we dedicate him particularly.

[islander]

Nobody can add to the absurdity of this book, nobody can imitate it successfully, nobody can hope to produce its fellow; it is perfect.
                 
         -Mark Twain, on English as She Is Spoke

[islander]

Seven.

Damnation (if you will allow the expression), get up and take a turn around the block and let the sentiment blow off you.  Sentiment is for girls... There is one thing I can't stand and won't stand, from many people.  That is, sham sentimentality.

[islander]

Eight.

Use plain, simple language, short words and brief sentences. That is the way to write English--it is the modern way and the best way. Stick to it; don't let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in.

verbose: I explain myself from multiple perspectives, adding shades/layers of meaning to hone my point for accuracy and precision.

edited: I explain myself from multiple perspectives, adding layers of meaning for precision.

[islander]

Nine.

The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction.  By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is that you really want to say.

[islander]

Ten.

Write without pay until somebody offers pay.  If nobody offers within three years, the candidate may look upon this circumstance with the most implicit confidence as the sign that sawing wood is what he was intended for.

http://grammar.about.com/od/advicefromthepros/