I posted an essay by George Orwell that talked about the craft of writing and how simplicity should be strived for. Here is a related essay also about the craft of writing, in this case written by Kurt Vonnegut. He echoes many of the same thoughts raised by Orwell.
http://www.harmonize.com/probe/aids/manual/style.htm
Keep it simple. Keep it clear.
As an example he brings up one of the simplest yet most famous sentences ever written : “To be or not to be?” No word longer than three letters but so much depth in those 5 words.
Where Orwell emphasized keeping the use of words as straightforward and simple as the subject permits, Vonnegut talks a bit more about your voice. He urges the writer to write from within their own persona and don’t try to be someone you are not.
I myself find that I trust my own writing most, and others seem to trust it most, too, when I sound most like a person from Indianapolis, which is what I am.
This is a much shorter article and a good companion to the Orwell essay.
Related Links:
- Eric Franklin’s TPN Post: Kurt Vonnegut RIP (1922 - 2007)
- Technorati Search: Kurt Vonnegut
{ 1 trackback }
{ 0 comments… add one now }