Fifteen Theses on How to Write Better

In rough order of importance

1. Write a lot.

2. Read a lot.

3. Revise a lot.

4. Throw a lot away.

5. (But maybe save the scraps somewhere?)

6. Learn the rules.

7. Write like you talk.

8. Oh God, but not if you talk like that. Jesus.

9. All else equal, less is more. All else is never equal.

10. Take breaks.

11. Crazy idea...what if you went and poked around those scraps you saved in tip #5…?

12. Abstraction impedes comprehensibility Chisel flinty wordscapes! Sear the mind's eye!

13. Relax.

14. Bad repetition beats you over the head; good repetition beats like a drum.

15. Beginnings matter most, but endings are what we remember.