ON WRITING: 20 KEY RULES, TECHNIQUES, GUIDELINES, AND CONCEPTS FROM SOME OF THE TOP WRITING AND EDITING BOOKS
1. Clarity and Simplicity
From "The Elements of Style":
Rule: Omit needless words.
Concept: Use clear and straightforward language to ensure the message is easily understood.
Guideline: Strive for brevity without sacrificing meaning.
2. Show, Don’t Tell
From "On Writing" by Stephen King and "The Art of Fiction" by John Gardner:
Rule: Use vivid details and active verbs to create a more immersive experience.
Technique: Allow readers to draw their own conclusions by showing actions and reactions, rather than simply telling them what’s happening.
3. Voice and Authenticity
From "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg and "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott:
Rule: Write in your own voice and be true to your personal style.
Guideline: Authenticity connects with readers on a deeper level and makes your writing unique.
Concept: Writing from the heart creates a genuine connection with the audience.
4. The Importance of Revision
From "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers" by Renni Browne and Dave King and "The First Five Pages" by Noah Lukeman:
Rule: Editing is crucial to refining and polishing your work.
Technique: Focus on tightening prose, improving dialogue, and removing unnecessary elements during the revision process.
Guideline: The first draft is never the final product; multiple revisions are often necessary.
5. Structure and Plot
From "Story" by Robert McKee and "The Art of Fiction" by John Gardner:
Rule: A well-structured plot is essential for keeping readers engaged.
Technique: Follow classic story structures like the three-act structure or the hero’s journey to create compelling narratives.
Guideline: Ensure every scene serves a purpose, advancing the plot or developing characters.
6. Rhythm and Flow
From "Zen in the Art of Writing" by Ray Bradbury and "The Writing Life" by Annie Dillard:
Concept: Writing should have a natural rhythm and flow, making it pleasant to read.
Guideline: Pay attention to sentence length, punctuation, and paragraph breaks to control the pace.
Technique: Use repetition, variation, and cadence to enhance the musicality of your prose.
7. Character Development
From "The Art of Fiction" by John Gardner and "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott:
Rule: Create multi-dimensional characters that feel real and relatable.
Technique: Develop characters through their actions, dialogue, and inner thoughts, rather than through exposition.
Guideline: Allow characters to evolve naturally within the story.
8. Overcoming Creative Blocks
From "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield:
Concept: Recognize and combat resistance—an internal force that hinders creativity.
Guideline: Establish a routine and discipline to push through creative blocks.
Technique: Use tools like freewriting, brainstorming, and physical movement to break through mental barriers.
9. The Power of the Subconscious
From "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg and "Zen in the Art of Writing" by Ray Bradbury:
Concept: Trust your subconscious to guide your creativity and inform your writing.
Guideline: Allow ideas to flow freely without overthinking in the initial stages of writing.
Technique: Engage in writing exercises that tap into your subconscious, such as automatic writing or meditation.
10. The Role of Humor and Playfulness
From "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott and "Zen in the Art of Writing" by Ray Bradbury:
Concept: Infuse humor and a sense of playfulness into your writing to keep it lively and engaging.
Guideline: Don’t be afraid to take risks with humor; it can make your writing more relatable and memorable.
Technique: Use light-hearted language, metaphors, and anecdotes to add a humorous touch.
11. Engagement and Connection
From "The Writing Life" by Annie Dillard and "Story" by Robert McKee:
Concept: Writing should evoke an emotional response and connect with the reader on a personal level.
Guideline: Use emotional triggers—like nostalgia, empathy, or humor—to create a bond with your audience.
Technique: Employ sensory details and vivid imagery to draw readers into the story.
12. The First Impression
From "The First Five Pages" by Noah Lukeman:
Rule: The beginning of your work is crucial for capturing attention.
Guideline: Make the first pages compelling and engaging to hook readers immediately.
Technique: Start with a strong, intriguing opening that raises questions or sets the tone.
13. The Role of Discipline
From "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield:
Concept: Writing is as much about discipline as it is about creativity.
Guideline: Establish a daily writing routine to maintain momentum and productivity.
Technique: Treat writing like a job, showing up every day to produce, regardless of mood or inspiration.
14. Humor as a Tool for Reflection
From "The Forest for the Trees" by Betsy Lerner:
Concept: Use humor to reflect on and critique life’s absurdities.
Guideline: Balance humor with insight to provide depth to your writing.
Technique: Employ wit and satire to address serious topics with a light touch.
15. The Relationship Between Writer and Editor
From "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers" by Renni Browne and Dave King and "The Forest for the Trees" by Betsy Lerner:
Concept: Editing is a collaborative process that enhances the original work.
Guideline: Embrace feedback from editors and be open to revising your work.
Technique: Approach editing with a critical but supportive mindset, focusing on improving the story rather than criticizing the writer.
16. Understanding Audience Expectations
From "Story" by Robert McKee and "The First Five Pages" by Noah Lukeman:
Rule: Know your audience and tailor your writing to meet their expectations.
Guideline: Consider what your readers are looking for in terms of tone, content, and style.
Technique: Use feedback and market research to guide your writing decisions.
17. Balancing Creativity and Structure
From "The Art of Fiction" by John Gardner and "Story" by Robert McKee:
Concept: A balance between creative freedom and structural discipline is key to successful writing.
Guideline: Follow narrative structures, but don’t be afraid to experiment and innovate.
Technique: Combine plot outlines with improvisational writing to maintain structure while allowing for creative expression.
18. The Impact of the Subtext
From "The Art of Fiction" by John Gardner and "Story" by Robert McKee:
Concept: Subtext enriches your story by adding layers of meaning beneath the surface.
Guideline: Use subtext to hint at underlying themes, emotions, or conflicts without stating them outright.
Technique: Employ dialogue, actions, and imagery to convey subtext subtly and effectively.
19. The Power of Editing
From "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers" by Renni Browne and Dave King:
Rule: Editing is where the real writing happens.
Guideline: Approach editing as an opportunity to refine and perfect your work, not just to correct mistakes.
Technique: Use editing to enhance clarity, tighten prose, and ensure that every word serves a purpose.
20. The Importance of Feedback
From "The Forest for the Trees" by Betsy Lerner:
Concept: Constructive feedback is essential for growth as a writer.
Guideline: Seek out honest critiques from trusted readers, editors, or writing groups.
Technique: Use feedback to identify strengths and weaknesses, and apply it to improve your writing.
Applying These Principles to Your Book
Refer to these guidelines throughout the writing process: As you write and edit your book, these rules and techniques will serve as a foundation, ensuring that the content is engaging, polished, and well-structured.
Incorporate relevant concepts into the text: For example, when discussing the importance of timing in comedy, you can reference the importance of "Timing and Rhythm" and "Show, Don’t Tell" from the list.
Use humor and playfulness as a tool: Since your book is about comedy, make sure to inject humor and light-heartedness throughout the text, following the "Humor as a Tool for Reflection" guideline.
Revise and polish: Remember that editing is crucial. Use the principles of "The Importance of Revision" and "The Power of Editing" to refine each chapter, making sure the final product is as strong as possible.