This books is for every writers. The one of most productive writer in the world “Steven King” talks about writing. I am not writer for living but I have to write the papers, the proposal for experiment, the proposal for grant. So I am strongly interested in how to write a lot and better. I could find useful suggestions from this book. Let me summarize these here.
1. Simplicity.
This is similar with presentation skill. But for writing, we should be careful every sentences. Is there any way to write more simply? Do we need this adverb? Sometimes, we attempt to write more because we have deadline or quota. However, the simplicity comes first. Clear sentences and clear structure gives us grant or approval for publication? Haha. Do not write redundant sentences.
2. Vocabulary.
I am not a native English speaker, so that I do not have strong vocabulary. However, the truth is “The bread of writing, is vocabulary”. We need to build the vocabulary which can use for better description. However, we should keep in mind. “It ain’t how much you got, honey, it’s how you use it”.
3. Read a lot, write a lot.
There is no way to be a good writer, “Read a lot, write a lot”. There is no shortcut. Everyone think we can read. However, that is not true. Great writers are always great readers. So how we read the book is also important for writers.
4. Do not use adverb.
This is useful suggestion. We can usually omit adverb. Sometime, the sentence becomes much stronger when we omit the adverb. So that, we should be careful. Why do we need to use the adverb? Is this really necessary?
5. Take it seriously.
He says, “If you can take it seriously, we can do business. If you can’t or won’t, it’s time for you to close the book and do something else. Wash the car, maybe” He is strict but tells the truth. If we are going to be a writer, we have to take our writing seriously. Do not compromise your writing.
6. Rewrite.
“When you write a story, you are telling yourself the story, when you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story.” We rewrite our writing so many times, to get better description. I believe the process of rewrite is important for better writing. Based on the advice from co-author, referee, editor, rethink your writing again and again. Write a lot, rewrite a lot.