Comments on: Ten Tips to Improve Your Writing

By: Eduardo Mórlan

Eduardo Mórlan — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:27:42 +0000

I say that there are no coincidences.Reading the German philosopher Georg Christoph Lichtenberg’s Aphorisms I have found this:

“This is a fair warning: the same way that famous French author did, from now on I will print nothing if my cook does not read it before”.

By: Eduardo Mórlan

Eduardo Mórlan — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:44:52 +0000

A really useful collection of tips. I teach English and German and when my learners are trying to create complicated sentences, I tell them: “The one thinking loses the game”. Language should flow: follow your instincts.

Recently I am writing for an online cinema website and for a magazine. It has always been easy for me to write in a clear way (I am 50 and Mexican). That was the result of my ancient perception: I heard the radio and imagined situations and stories (I watched our 1st. own TV when I was 12), and since I was always alone, the best companion I had was a book.

The terrible problem is the one with the new generations: people neither read nor write and when they write, they do not follow any kind of logical routine connected with common sense. Of course there are exceptions, but they are scarce examples. Even if people are literate, they do not use (written and spoken) language in a proper way.

May this article shine some light for many and congratulations for your help.

By: Daniel Hindin

Daniel Hindin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:18:05 +0000

Aw, come on. I thought you’d like that one.

By: Dave Van de Walle

Dave Van de Walle — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:15:30 +0000

Hey-oh. Are you here all week?

By: Daniel Hindin

Daniel Hindin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:04:47 +0000

Well, if you’ve read it five times, Dave, then you’re at least up to 20 hours, right?

By: Daniel Hindin

Daniel Hindin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:00:33 +0000

Thanks, Paige! If a writer of your talent can learn from a post like this, we can feel very good about the content we’re putting out there. Good luck breaking out of your funk!

By: Amy Akomas

Amy Akomas — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:18:25 +0000

Great tips. I would add this, if it feels right to you? Then don’t let the negative opinions of others drive your rewrite. However, if more than two people have an opinion about a particular portion of it, pay attention to it.

By: Dave Van de Walle

Dave Van de Walle — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:07:42 +0000

Great stuff…as always a fine guest post. (Or is it “fine guest-post?”)

The “what was the last book you read?” question is highly dangerous, though. Would a Gen-Y or Millennial really answer that honestly? Heck, I wouldn’t even answer that honestly; saying that I’m on my 5th re-read of “The 4-Hour Workweek,” which I am, probably paints me as lazy.

Great stuff, though!

By: Paige Worthy

Paige Worthy — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:05:59 +0000

Susan. Thank you SO MUCH for this.
In my personal writing, I’ve recently hit a huge block. I need to listen more, move more and, most importantly, allow myself to THINK instead of running myself ragged and expecting the words just magically to appear in the midst of it all.
Thanks for finding another wonderful resource for Spin Sucks, Gini and Dan.

By: Barry Silver

Barry Silver — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:32:35 +0000

Great tips. I like read aloud and move around. Although common sense, I would have never thought about it. I also like to “write in 1st draft” but when I have the time I like to cull my topics/research and wait (ideally overnight) before writing.