Sentence Structure for Writers (2017)
(oup.com)
Some sentences just sound awkward. In order to ensure clarity, writers need to consider more than just grammar: weight is equally important.
Some sentences just sound awkward. In order to ensure clarity, writers need to consider more than just grammar: weight is equally important.
The history of the epigraph from Appointment in Samarra (2022)
(subsublibrarian.com)
The epigraph from John O’Hara’s Appointment in Samarra was much of what I remembered from an earlier reading of the novel, but I realized today that I’d never looked into its background – the cited W. Somerset Maugham seeming an unlikely true origin for a tale about death in Samarra. So below is my reconstruction of the tale’s journey to O’Hara.
The epigraph from John O’Hara’s Appointment in Samarra was much of what I remembered from an earlier reading of the novel, but I realized today that I’d never looked into its background – the cited W. Somerset Maugham seeming an unlikely true origin for a tale about death in Samarra. So below is my reconstruction of the tale’s journey to O’Hara.
Story Structure 101: Super Basic Shit
(fandom.com)
Storytelling comes naturally to humans, but since we live in an unnatural world, we sometimes need a little help doing what we'd naturally do.
Storytelling comes naturally to humans, but since we live in an unnatural world, we sometimes need a little help doing what we'd naturally do.
Ask HN: What lectures have made a lasting impact on you?
(ycombinator.com)
I just watched The Craft of Writing Effectively (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtIzMaLkCaM), and it really left a mark on me. It’s one of those talks that makes you see things differently – and it got me wondering what other lectures are out there that have had a lasting impact on people.
I just watched The Craft of Writing Effectively (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtIzMaLkCaM), and it really left a mark on me. It’s one of those talks that makes you see things differently – and it got me wondering what other lectures are out there that have had a lasting impact on people.
Blog Writing for Developers (2023)
(rmoff.net)
Writing is one of the most powerful forms of communication, and it’s useful in a multitude of roles and contexts. As a blog-writing, documentation-authoring, twitter-shitposting DevEx engineer I spend a lot of my time writing. Recently, someone paid me a very nice compliment about a blog I’d written and asked how they could learn to write like me and what resources I’d recommend.
Writing is one of the most powerful forms of communication, and it’s useful in a multitude of roles and contexts. As a blog-writing, documentation-authoring, twitter-shitposting DevEx engineer I spend a lot of my time writing. Recently, someone paid me a very nice compliment about a blog I’d written and asked how they could learn to write like me and what resources I’d recommend.
Writing is not the same as thinking
(greyenlightenment.com)
The reason so many people have trouble writing is that it’s fundamentally difficult. To write well you have to think clearly, and thinking clearly is hard.
The reason so many people have trouble writing is that it’s fundamentally difficult. To write well you have to think clearly, and thinking clearly is hard.
Writing Is a Visual Language
(argumatronic.com)
As I’ve said before, I’ve been homeschooling my kids for a long time now. Some subjects are fun to teach to them, and some are not. For the short time my older son was in public school (first grade), he was being taught writing in the way that seems fairly typical for public schools: he would be assigned some topic to write about, and given a length requirement (whether minimum or maximum or both) and told to write.
As I’ve said before, I’ve been homeschooling my kids for a long time now. Some subjects are fun to teach to them, and some are not. For the short time my older son was in public school (first grade), he was being taught writing in the way that seems fairly typical for public schools: he would be assigned some topic to write about, and given a length requirement (whether minimum or maximum or both) and told to write.
Writing in Pictures: Richard Scarry and the art of children's literature
(yalereview.org)
As a boy, I knew I was supposed to like cars and trucks and things that go. But as an unathletic and decidedly unboyish kid, I only got close to liking one car—my mom’s blue Volkswagen Ghia, which she used to ferry me to and from school (and, when she needed some time to herself, to her parents’—my grandparents’—house for an overnight visit).
As a boy, I knew I was supposed to like cars and trucks and things that go. But as an unathletic and decidedly unboyish kid, I only got close to liking one car—my mom’s blue Volkswagen Ghia, which she used to ferry me to and from school (and, when she needed some time to herself, to her parents’—my grandparents’—house for an overnight visit).
Why so few Matt Levines?
(gwern.net)
Why are popularizing educational newsletter-frequency writers of important fields like Matt Levine for finance so rare? Because most fields are too slow or ambiguous, and writers of the right combination of expertise, obsession, and persistence are also rare.
Why are popularizing educational newsletter-frequency writers of important fields like Matt Levine for finance so rare? Because most fields are too slow or ambiguous, and writers of the right combination of expertise, obsession, and persistence are also rare.
Writes and Write-Nots
(paulgraham.com)
I'm usually reluctant to make predictions about technology, but I feel fairly confident about this one: in a couple decades there won't be many people who can write.
I'm usually reluctant to make predictions about technology, but I feel fairly confident about this one: in a couple decades there won't be many people who can write.
Forget Gladwell
(ghost.io)
Society should withhold all esteem and attention to a nonfiction author whose entire oeuvre spitballs explanatory social theory under the bad faith idea that he holds his ideas “loosely” and readers should too
Society should withhold all esteem and attention to a nonfiction author whose entire oeuvre spitballs explanatory social theory under the bad faith idea that he holds his ideas “loosely” and readers should too
The Script Creator
(aeon.co)
In July 2019, I visited Siang Sawn, a small village in Chin State, western Myanmar.
In July 2019, I visited Siang Sawn, a small village in Chin State, western Myanmar.
James Salter: Pilot, Screenwriter, Novelist
(literaryreview.co.uk)
In the last days of the 1960s, James Salter, a pilot who had left the US Air Force to try to make it as a writer, was living in Aspen, subsisting on piecemeal writing gigs: screenplays, stories, essays, profiles.
In the last days of the 1960s, James Salter, a pilot who had left the US Air Force to try to make it as a writer, was living in Aspen, subsisting on piecemeal writing gigs: screenplays, stories, essays, profiles.
Writing Advice Is a Lie
(commonreader.co.uk)
So many people read writing advice. It’s everywhere. The woods are full of it. Even here on Substack, half the Literature leaderboard is essentially self-help and writing advice.
So many people read writing advice. It’s everywhere. The woods are full of it. Even here on Substack, half the Literature leaderboard is essentially self-help and writing advice.
On programming and poetry
(zverok.space)
Some thoughts on how programming’s unlikely relations to poetry, and some implications of those relations
Some thoughts on how programming’s unlikely relations to poetry, and some implications of those relations
Adventures with Jean
(theamericanscholar.org)
Striking up a friendship with an older writer meant accepting the risk of getting hurt
Striking up a friendship with an older writer meant accepting the risk of getting hurt
What Kind of Writer Is ChatGPT?
(newyorker.com)
Last spring, a graduate student in social anthropology—let’s call him Chris—sat down at his laptop and asked ChatGPT for help with a writing assignment.
Last spring, a graduate student in social anthropology—let’s call him Chris—sat down at his laptop and asked ChatGPT for help with a writing assignment.
I encourage you to write a blog
(ounapuu.ee)
It’s been over 4 years since my first post on this blog.
It’s been over 4 years since my first post on this blog.
Why I Write My Own Obituary Every Year
(nytimes.com)
I wrote my obituary last week. I often do so once a year; it has become a kind of ritual.
I wrote my obituary last week. I often do so once a year; it has become a kind of ritual.
Comedy Theory (2022)
(rpgadventures.io)
In this post I will share with you my theory of how comedy works, and a step-by-step process to creating jokes and comedy sketches.
In this post I will share with you my theory of how comedy works, and a step-by-step process to creating jokes and comedy sketches.
Why So Few Matt Levines?
(gwern.net)
Why are popularizing educational newsletter-frequency writers of important fields like Matt Levine for finance so rare? Because most fields are too slow or ambiguous, and writers of the right combination of expertise, obsession, and persistence are also rare.
Why are popularizing educational newsletter-frequency writers of important fields like Matt Levine for finance so rare? Because most fields are too slow or ambiguous, and writers of the right combination of expertise, obsession, and persistence are also rare.