Status Updates From On Writing Well

Chapter 13: "The Travel Article"

1. Descriptive detail is key
2. Get yourself outside of your subjective experience while writing to also "keep an objective eye on the reader" and their sense of novelty--avoid well-known, well-traveled facts and details about well-known places
3. Focus on "placed" human drama, life to death
4. Rely on others with stronger connections to the place to supply the emotional quotations

Chapter 5, "The Audience," states that a writer should only write for themselves and for no other audience ultimately, because only then will their writing be worthwhile.

I can see why it's a classic already. To summarize his best points so far:

1. clarity of purpose produces clarity of words via simplicity of language
2. you can usually trash your first few self-conscious, stiff paragraphs
3. your reader will be hooked by getting to know YOU through your words

"Sell yourself, and your subject will exert its own appeal. Believe in your own identity and your own opinions."

Zinsser’s reflection on word usage makes me wistful for a time of word precision.

I forgot how funny this book is! My goodness. I am sitting, just chuckling to myself about writing pragmatics.