Interesting! On the rare occasion that I read a bad book, it usually just inflates my ego and makes me grow momentarily complacent (in addition to the points I mention above), Reading the best of the best always helps me to become a better writer.
Which writers would you recommend as worthy of emulation for those attempting to pen good English prose? Of course, an artist's voice is as great as it is immitable: no one could have written, for example, "Othello" other than Shakespeare himself (as opposed to the cartboard prose of most contemporany authors, whose books could've easily been written by ChatGPT or literally anyone who had the misfortune of reading 'Twilight'), and no one should even attempt to do so, that is, to try to write like Shakespeare - or anyone else, for that matter. Yet, in literature, as in life, it's great to have role models; who would be yours?
Having these 12 rules for an artistic endeavor such as writing, literature....etc. I've been grinding away, punching black keys upon a somewhat older keyboard, not having any formal education, only the grueling, pain staking practice of writing, reading your work, self/critiquing to the point of madness, believe me that once that box has been "breeched", nothing overwhelmingly great can, or does come to light , or from this process in general, the one mainstay that I'll jump at in the shortest split second ever timed, with the ability of technology at present, the only redeeming quality is that you've got no choice but to in crease talent possessed. Communication is an art that takes hours upon days that bleed into months, only to have a revelation that'll push that one special bullet back into the clip, pulling back the slide (which is always cool, in all situations) only to see that "FUC$"! I'M NOT THAT BAD, IN FACT GETTING BETTER! Then a strange calm will seep into a mind that's on fire!!! Rule#13.
I can give an example in which the passive voice was used with intention. It described a man being rudely grabbed and ejected from a place. Using the passive underscored his helplessness and sense of outrage.
Advice #8 and #9 are completly barbaric. The former echoes George Orwell's recommandation, and whilst the maxim "learn from the best" may have some practical applications in other domains of life, good writing isn't necessarily rendered into good advice in matters of writing, as it is the case here.
In fact, no great writer has ever observed this rule, and minimalist prose has only ever lead to attrociously clusmy, trite and lifeless prose. I like David B. Hart's advice more: “If a word is so excessive as to mar the effect of a sentence, remove it; but never remove a word simply because it is possible to do so.”
Some good points but I would like to point out that Alan Moore recommends reading bad books because they will motivate you to write a better one.
Interesting! On the rare occasion that I read a bad book, it usually just inflates my ego and makes me grow momentarily complacent (in addition to the points I mention above), Reading the best of the best always helps me to become a better writer.
Thank you, this was a helpful list.
War and Peace
Brothers Karamazov
Great Expectations
Seem to be the three best books to use to learn how to write prose!
This is a solid list. 🙌🏻 13. Find someone you trust/respect to read your work and critique it.
Which writers would you recommend as worthy of emulation for those attempting to pen good English prose? Of course, an artist's voice is as great as it is immitable: no one could have written, for example, "Othello" other than Shakespeare himself (as opposed to the cartboard prose of most contemporany authors, whose books could've easily been written by ChatGPT or literally anyone who had the misfortune of reading 'Twilight'), and no one should even attempt to do so, that is, to try to write like Shakespeare - or anyone else, for that matter. Yet, in literature, as in life, it's great to have role models; who would be yours?
Having these 12 rules for an artistic endeavor such as writing, literature....etc. I've been grinding away, punching black keys upon a somewhat older keyboard, not having any formal education, only the grueling, pain staking practice of writing, reading your work, self/critiquing to the point of madness, believe me that once that box has been "breeched", nothing overwhelmingly great can, or does come to light , or from this process in general, the one mainstay that I'll jump at in the shortest split second ever timed, with the ability of technology at present, the only redeeming quality is that you've got no choice but to in crease talent possessed. Communication is an art that takes hours upon days that bleed into months, only to have a revelation that'll push that one special bullet back into the clip, pulling back the slide (which is always cool, in all situations) only to see that "FUC$"! I'M NOT THAT BAD, IN FACT GETTING BETTER! Then a strange calm will seep into a mind that's on fire!!! Rule#13.
I can give an example in which the passive voice was used with intention. It described a man being rudely grabbed and ejected from a place. Using the passive underscored his helplessness and sense of outrage.
Advice #8 and #9 are completly barbaric. The former echoes George Orwell's recommandation, and whilst the maxim "learn from the best" may have some practical applications in other domains of life, good writing isn't necessarily rendered into good advice in matters of writing, as it is the case here.
In fact, no great writer has ever observed this rule, and minimalist prose has only ever lead to attrociously clusmy, trite and lifeless prose. I like David B. Hart's advice more: “If a word is so excessive as to mar the effect of a sentence, remove it; but never remove a word simply because it is possible to do so.”
I've read all 20 of the "Master and Commander" series (Patrick O'Brian) twice, and I'm now starting a third trip. Is this OK? Asking for a friend.